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Route 14: Accessible Tour Guide Service

Accessible Tour Guide Service

Courses

January-June, October-December

Departure time	Departs at 1 p.m.
Duration of the tour	About 3 hours
Cost	1,050 yen (breakdown: 210 yen per participant + 840 yen for the accompanying two guides)
Meeting place	【Shinjuku】 Tokyo Tourist Information Center at Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, 3F,5-24-55 Sendagaya, Shibuya city, Tokyo See on Map

July-September (shortened route)

Departure time	Departs at 10 a.m.
Duration of the tour	About 2 hours
Cost	1,050 yen (breakdown: 210 yen per participant + 840 yen for the accompanying two guides)
Meeting place	【Shinjuku】 Tokyo Tourist Information Center at Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal, 3F,5-24-55 Sendagaya, Shibuya city, Tokyo See on Map

Although they are located right in the center of the metropolis, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace still have vast green areas. It is fair to say that they are a place of recreation and relaxation for Tokyo, an overcrowded city which continues to move with massive energy. Plenty of historic buildings remain in the gardens, so you can appreciate Japanese trees, plants, flowers, and the beauty of traditional Japanese architecture and gardens while touching on the history of modern Japan.

*The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are closed on Mondays and Fridays.

Route

1
13:00 Meet at the Tokyo Tourist Information Center on the 3rd floor of Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal.
*We will provide support using speech-to-text conversion apps for those with hearing impairments.

We will use elevators and escalators for transportation.

2
Take the train from Shinjuku Station.
*Upon request, station staff will assist wheelchair users.

Take the JR Chuo Line for four stops, approx. 15 minutes.

3
Arrive at Tokyo Station. From here, we proceed to our destination: East Gardens and Outer Gardens of the Imperial Palace.

We will walk a route tailored to your situation.

4
We will stroll through the East Gardens and Outer Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Many historic structures remain here, and your guide will take you on an easy-to-walk course through Japanese trees, flowers, and gardens.

We will guide you to JR Tokyo Station or Tokyo Metro Otemachi Station for your return trip.

5
16:00 The tour ends at Tokyo Station or Otemachi Station.

Restroom Information

Accessible restrooms are available at four locations: Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (meeting point), Shinjuku Station, Tokyo Station, and within the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace.
For details on the features of each restroom, please consult with your guide.

Route Information

Item	Availability, etc.
Distance	Approx. 6 km
Slopes and steps	Some steep slopes and several steps
Path width (150 cm or more)	Available
Paved paths	Available
Accessible restrooms	Four locations on the course
Rest areas	Two locations on the course
Information via devices or written communication	Available
Tactile paving	Within the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace: Not available The road from the station to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace: Available
Things you can know and feel by touch	Available Ote-mon gates, castle walls, etc.

*While the course includes some slopes, low steps, and narrow paths, volunteer guides will provide detour routes as needed.
*Please contact us if you have any questions.

Regarding Guide Services

In this guide service, travel from the starting point to the destination is relatively smooth and wide paved sidewalks are used, so it is easy for everyone to participate, including the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Wheelchair users and stroller users are also welcome.
While there are some small steps and slopes along part of the route, two volunteer staff members will accompany and guide you safely.
Please note that we generally do not provide physical assistance such as pushing wheelchairs.
If you are able to move independently or with the assistance of a caregiver, we encourage you to participate.
If you have any concerns, please consult with us in advance, and we will consider possible accommodations within our capabilities.

This guide service is provided by volunteers, and transportation is mainly by public transport or walking.
The participants for the guide service are up to 5 people.
It will be accompanied by 2 tour guides.
Participants are required to pay the costs for 2 tour guides.
The fees shown here are for 1 participant. The price changes depending on the number of participants. We will notify you of the actual fee by email.
The fee for guide services should be paid with Japanese Yen.
Among the participants, there must be at least 1 person over 20 years old.
Some facilities may be closed depending on the day of the week.
The time and date of departure changes depending on the route, so please check the details for each route.
Please note that the tour guides will not be present or make reservations at eating and drinking establishments.

*The fee is the amount required for transport and attraction admission fees. (Including the fees for 2 guides).
It also includes the amount required for the guides to return to Shinjuku after the guidance finishes. The guidance itself is free of charge.

Regarding Bookings

To apply for a tour, click the “Apply here” button.
We require you to inform us of your first and second preference for route and time/date. Please understand that we may be unable to offer guidance on your preferred date depending on volunteer schedules.
Bookings are required from 1 month to 3 days prior to your preferred guidance date.
After submitting your booking, we will send a response within a week. For bookings made from 1 week to 3 days before, we will respond the day before your preferred date at the latest.
Be sure to include your contact details in Japan.
To cancel a booking, please contact us at least 1 day prior.