Tokyo Accessibility Guide: Wheelchair, Disability & Family Travel

Is Tokyo Accessible?

Tokyo is an accessible city for anyone who wants to explore it. Its modes of public transportation, major train stations, tourist destinations, and more are equipped with barrier-free features. Most train stations have elevators, wheelchair-accessible toilets, and tactile paving. On the trains, there are also spaces set aside for wheelchair users and people with strollers.

The key to a perfect stay is thorough advance planning and communication with any places of accommodation. Research all the options, plan for any eventuality, and you will be able to experience the very best of Tokyo.

Getting Around Tokyo: Transport Accessibility

Trains and Subway

If you are traveling around Tokyo by train and in a wheelchair, you will find that most stations have an elevator, although you may have to navigate busy platforms and narrow walkways. Station staff can often assist wheelchair users with ramps and platform access, but it's best to avoid rush hour (07:30-09:00, and 17:30-19:30). Most stations have wheelchair-accessible toilets. Daredemo Tokyo provides accessibility information about public transportation, tourist attractions, accommodations, and other facilities, so that everyone can travel around and stay in Tokyo with confidence.

Support with ramps and platform access

Buses, taxis, and others

Non-step buses and universal design (UD) taxis are available at taxi stands at airports, major train stations, and popular tourist attractions in Tokyo. UD taxis can also be selected and booked through English-language taxi apps such as Taxi App GO or arranged by hotel staff. There are many useful apps available. UD taxis can accommodate not only wheelchair users, but also travelers with strollers or large luggage.

You will find that many streets in Tokyo have yellow tactile paving to help people with visual impairments walk safely.

Universal design (UD) taxi

Yellow tactile paving on a sidewalk

Wheelchair Rental in Tokyo

At some stations, art museums, and tourist attractions—including the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal “Busta Shinjuku” near Shinjuku Station—wheelchair rental services are available. “Wheelchair Rental JAPAN” offers wheelchair delivery services to locations of your choice, including airports and hotels. You can return the rented wheelchairs before returning to your home country.

“Accessible Tourism Tokyo” and “Accessible Japan” offer in-depth advice and essential tips for traveling in Tokyo and Japan with a disability. These sites act as an invaluable resource to enable an enjoyable stay in Tokyo.

Wheelchair rental service

Traveling to Tokyo with Children

Tokyo is a vibrant, buzzing city that is sure to stimulate the minds of children. It is also a sprawling metropolis that can be overwhelming and exhausting, especially when visiting Tokyo with very small children. Planning ahead is key to a successful family trip. It's important to schedule plenty of time to rest, such as by visiting child-friendly restaurants between activities. Jet lag can be particularly tough on young kids, so including breaks in your schedule is recommended.

If you are traveling with very young children, make use of the designated priority seating on trains. Most stations will have bathrooms with plenty of space and diaper changing tables, and sometimes you can even find hot water to use for formula milk. In large commercial facilities, you can often find stroller rentals, as well as designated play zones for young children.

For eating out with older kids, family restaurants are a good choice as they have a very wide menu. If you want to experience new flavors, try visiting the basement floors of department stores, where there are food halls with lots of free samples.

If the weather is good, check out Tokyo’s many parks and gardens. If it's rainy, many museums have interactive elements for children to enjoy, and the city’s aquariums and cinemas are also good options. On some train lines, you can see out of the front window of the very front carriage, letting you experience a unique Tokyo train ride. Everyone from children to adults can enjoy rolling on Tokyo’s train tracks.

A diaper changing table in an accessible toilet

Enjoy looking out at the train tracks from the front carriage of a train