Hie Shrine is home to the guardian deity of Tokyo and the Sanno Matsuri. Its steep hill makes it very difficult for those with wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Background Information Located in Nagatacho in Tokyo, the date of establishment of the Hie Shrine is uncertain. Some say it was established by Ota Dokan in 1478, others suggest it was Read more...

Nippon Budokan Live at the Budokan! While the Budokan is famous abroad for hosting acts like the Beatles, Cheap Trick, and Bob Dylan, it was originaly built to house the judo events for the 1964 Summer Olympics and is officially called the Nippon Budokan (“Japan Martial Arts Hall”). Though many opposed the Beatles defiling a martial arts arena with western Read more...

The Imperial Palace is Accessible After the end of the shogunate and the Meiji Restoration, the shogun and inhabitants of Edo castle were required to leave. The emperor arrived from Kyoto at the Edo Castle to make it to his new residence and renamed it to Tokei Castle (at this time Tokyo had also been called Tokei). He went back Read more...

Akihabara, or Akiba, has gained worldwide recognition as the heart of Japan’s high-tech and otaku (ie nerd/geek) culture. Almost everyone who comes to Japan wants to visit it to shop, find anime/manga, go to a maid cafe, or see AKB 48. However exciting it is, it is not terribly wheelchair accessible if you want to really dig into the culture. Read more...

Yasukuni Shrine is home to Tokyo’s representative cherry tree and is mostly wheelchair accessible. Background Information Yasukuni Shrine was established in 1869 by Emperor Meiji to commemorate those who died in service of Japan during the Boshin War of 1868–1869 helping to build the foundation for a peaceful Japan. Those enshrined at the shrine have been expanded to include those Read more...