disability
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Traveling in Japan over New Years
Traveling in Japan over New Years can be exciting… and horrible. The New Years holiday in Japan is similar to Christmas in the West – a..
“Share Your Light” to be Paralympic Torch Relay Concept
New App to Help People with Disabilities Navigate Tokyo
Navigating the streets of Tokyo is no easy task, regardless of ability. However, having a disability adds an extra layer of difficulty..
Engineering Employment: Robots and Remote Work for Persons with Disabilities at a Japanese Cafe
By Mark Bookman
On November 26, the Nippon Foundation, together with Ory Laboratory and ANA Holdings, opened a café where customers could..
Bringing a Guide Dog or Service Dog to Japan
At a recent event on accessibility in the service industry, we were excited to meet members of the Japanese Service Dog Resource Center..
Innovation and Isolation at Tokyo’s Home Care and Rehabilitation Exhibition
By Mark Bookman
On Thursday, October 11th, 2018 I had the opportunity to visit the 45th International Home Care and Rehabilitation..
Exploring Accessible Touring in Kyoto
By Terin Jackson
from Kyo Tours Japan
Part of an ongoing partnership to improve wheelchair accessibility for tourists in Kyoto. Firsthand..
Manga Review – REAL: Basketball as Salvation
By Accessible Japan reader, M. G.
What is real, and what is not? You can engage in eternal debates concerning that question, but you..
Preparing for our Trip to Japan!
By Nicky Durston
I‘m Nicky and I’m married to David, we live in the beautiful Cotswolds in the heart of the UK. The main purpose for our..
My Japan Experience: An American Autism Self-Advocate’s Adventure
By: Emily Starnes
I love to travel! I have had the great fortune to journey to over half of the states within the contiguous..
Learning About Universal Design in Japan
By Jasmine Dudley
My name is Jasmine and I’m currently an occupational therapy student completing a 3-month long doctoral experiential..
5 Months in Japan: What I’ve Learned So Far
By Joan Pahisa
Hi everyone!
I’m Joan and a few months ago I decided to move to Osaka to study Japanese. I had been working really hard on..
Accessible Airport Bus in Japan
By Toshiko Kudo
For the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Paralympic Games, the accessibility of public transport in Japan is improving. An airport bus..
Tokyo on Wheels – Part Three
By Andy Barrow
The time has come to draw a few conclusions from my time in Tokyo (Read part one here, and part two here!). In this post,..
Tokyo on Wheels – Part Two
By Andy Barrow
I have a confession to make. My two-part blog may have grown somewhat… Sorry! (Read part one here!)
Basically, I felt..
Tokyo on Wheels – Part One
By Andy Barrow
My name is Andy Barrow and I’m an international speaker who also happens to be a full-time wheelchair user. I’ve spent..
The Trip to Bunny Island
By Suzanne Kamata
I first learned of Okunoshima from a Canadian friend’s Facebook post. She’d shared photos of herself surrounded by..
5-Port Cruise Around Japan in a Wheelchair
By Kim Almas
In October 2017, our family took an 8-day/5 port Diamond Princess cruise around Japan. My husband is partially disabled, so..
Bmaps – an Award-winning Accessibility Information App
An award-winning accessibility info app for anyone, with or without disability!
Wheelchair users, persons with visual or hearing..
Interview with Toshiya Kakiuchi, President of Mirairo
One goal of Accessible Japan is to introduce prominent Japanese people with disabilities to the rest of the world. We recently had the..
WheeLog! An accessibility app for Japan… and the world!
Yuriko Oda (織田友理子) has GNE Myopathy/HIBM/DMRV and is the president of the ‘Patients Association for Distal Myopathies’ (PADM) and a..
Planned Reconstruction of Nagoya Castle Lacks Elevator
Traditionally Japanese castles are made of wood, which made them vulnerable to fires and other natural disasters. As such, the many..
In the Province of the Gods – Book Review
By Kelly Frost
Adapting Japan
In the Province of the Gods is at once the extremely personal and specific story of one man’s journeys to..
An Accessible Rickshaw in Asakusa, Japan
If you are visiting Tokyo, Asakusa and Sensoji Temple are likely on your itenerary. When you visit you will see many visitors enjoying..
Now I can say it – Japan is indeed Sugoi!
We love sharing stories of people who have come to Japan. M. G. – who also wrote a review of A Silent Voice for us – shares a reflection..
Paralympics and the Wheelchair Nod – Reflecting on Tokyo
By Kelly Frost
Adapting Japan
“Amazing, Japan was amazing.” I’ve said this over and over recently when asked by friends, neighbors, and..
Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8 – Book Review
by Suzanne Kamata
Naoki Higashida became an international literary sensation when his first book, The Reason I Jump, was translated into..
Finding a Wonderful World a year after the Sagamihara Massacre
Last year, Satoshi Uematsu broke into his former workplace – a care facility for people with severe disabilities – and proceeded to..
Introducing the Accessible Japan Community Forum
A forum? …in 2017?!?
Yup.
We are starting a community forum for Accessible Japan for a few reasons:
First of all, Accessible Japan..
Finding Wheelchair Accessible Restaurants in Japan
Experiencing authentic traditional Japanese cuisine is something everyone will want to do when visiting Japan. Every cramped street and..
Surviving without Chopsticks: Eating with a Disability in Japan
Experiencing authentic, traditional Japanese cuisine is reason enough to travel all the way to Japan. For those interested in..
Hakone Round Course in a Wheelchair
The Hakone Round Course is a popular day trip from Tokyo that allows travelers to enjoy Lake Ashi, lush forest mountains, and a fantastic..
Mobility Scooters in Japan
While mobility scooters have been gaining popularity around the world as an alternative to traditional wheelchairs, Japan has been slow..
Fiona’s Travelog: Accessible Onsen and Wheelchair Exhibitions
By Fiona T
Konnichiwa!
This post is long overdue since I was in Japan last summer.
This is not my first time in Japan, but definitely my..
A Lifehack for Accessible Hotel Rooms in Japan
While Japan does have rough guidelines for accessible hotel rooms, they are nowhere near as strict as the United States or Europe...
Traditional Japanese Garden Accessibility in Tokyo
Though Tokyo is known for its bustling streets and crowded trains, there are a number of traditional Japanese gardens in between the..
Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog – Movie Review
Review by Sally Keys
Dogs are much more than pets to many people. They become like children, real family members. Studies show that a..
Fashion, art, and disability – An Interview with Mari Katayama
Mari Katayama “bystander #016” (2016), Self-Portrait
Mari Katayama is a Japanese artist from central Japan. She has loved sewing and..
The Japanese Genkan and Accessibility
The genkan is a traditional entrance way into Japanese homes (and some businesses) and serves as an area to remove one’s shoes before..
Cherry Blossom Viewing in a Wheelchair
When visiting Japan in the spring, no one wants to miss the cherry blossoms. Japan has turned cherry blossom viewing, or hanami, into..
Traveling in Japan with a Visual Impairment
By Cristina Hartmann
My two-and-half weeks in Japan as someone with both vision and hearing impairments left me amazed—in a good way. My..
Wheelchair Accessible Day Tours in Tokyo
While many people prefer to buy a good guidebook (like our Tokyo guide!) and create an itinerary to meet their own pace and interests,..
Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and the Disabled
6 years has passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. While many news sources are focusing on this story at this time,..
Ginza – Accessibility Report
Though it was formerly rejected by foreigners for being “too Western,” the high-end shopping center of Ginza is now a popular place to..
A Girl’s Guide to the Islands – Book Review
Suzanne Kamata is the author of the YA novels Gadget Girl: The Art of Being Invisible and Screaming Divas recently gave us an advance..
Accessible Japan’s Guide to Tokyo Available NOW!
After two years of building this site and adding loads of information, it has become a bit difficult to get all the information in one..
Tsukiji Fish Market – Accessibility Report
Tsukiji Fish Market, the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world, is full of energy and delicious food. However, it can be..
Snow Country
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
It was a stern night landscape. The sound of the freezing of snow over the land seemed..
Disability Identification Cards in Japan
Having an identification card for persons with disabilities can be a prickly topic. Is it discrimination? Is it security to protect..
My Trip to Tokyo with Multiple Sclerosis
We love helping people enjoy Japan. We also love it when people write back to share their experiences with others, so they too can..
A Question Concerning Priority Seats
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
In December of last year, on my way to visit Tokyo, I noticed something about..
Universal Studios Japan, the Rides and the Reality
Suzanne Kamata is the author of the YA novels Gadget Girl: The Art of Being Invisible and Screaming Divas, both of which feature..
Disability in Japan – A Year in Review: 2016
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
It is now December again in Japan, so it nearing the time for Kentucky Fried Chicken..
A One-Day-Trip to Kamakura in a Wheelchair
By Melanie Bo
of Little Miss Turtle
Hello! I’m Melanie. I’m a wheelchair tourist who loves to travel around the globe. Tokyo is one of my..
Super Mario Run and Disability
Earlier this year we took a look at Pokemon Go and the experience for disabled users. With the release of Super Mario Run, we thought..
Japanese Sign Language Bible Project
By Mary Esther Penner
“For 300,000 Japanese Deaf people, Japanese is a foreign language they have to study arduously to learn. In..
Japanese Disability Activist elected to United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Jun Ishikawa, an international relations professor at the University of Shizuoka, was elected to the United Nation’s Committee on the..
The Japanese Diet’s Disability Access Woes
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
When it comes to public amenities, whether it be public transport, city ward offices,..
Okayama man: “I am the reincarnation of Hitler, disabled people should go and die”
Dr. Michael Peckitt
A man from Nagi city in Okayama Prefecture was arrested on November 11th on suspicion of disrupting business..
Visiting the International Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition in Tokyo
The International Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition (HCR) was held this past week at Tokyo Big Sight. HCR is a huge event where..
ADA Pioneer Senator Tomas Harkin visits U.S. Embassy in Tokyo
By Mizuki Hsu
of Moon Rider 7
My name is Mizuki Hsu. I am a Japanese disability advocate in a wheelchair. From October 2015, I worked..
Gold Concert 13
This past Monday, the Japan Barrier Free Association held the 13th Gold Concert. The the annual musical competition was started..
Ueno Park – Accessibility Review
Ueno Park is a public park in the Ueno district of Tokyo. The park is famous for its many museums and art galleries, as well as for..
The Woman in the Pink Hijab
Suzanne Kamata is the author of the YA novels Gadget Girl: The Art of Being Invisible and Screaming Divas, both of which feature..
Trying out Paralympic Sports in Tokyo
In a bid to help people experience some of the sports at the Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games and build hype for the Tokyo 2020..
Tech Helps Visually Impaired Moviegoers in Japan
Tech is playing a part in helping visually impaired moviegoers in Japan enjoy the experience of going to the theater.
Since the new laws..
24 Hour Television – Love Saves the Earth 2016
If you are happen to be in Japan during the last weekend of August, be sure to watch 24 Hour Television on NTV. 24 Hour Television – Love..
Life Where I’m From X and Accessible Japan
Greg Lam lives with his wife and two kids in Tokyo, Japan. He creates YouTube videos about everyday life in Japan with his family, as..
An Interview with Japan Barrier-free Association President Yoshihiro Kaiya
Yoshihiro Kaiya is not only the president of the Japan Barrier-free Association, he also works to promote disabled musicians through..
Blind Man Falls to Death at Tokyo Subway Station
On August 15th, a blind man fell to his death at a Tokyo subway station without a guard rail. 55 year old Naoto Shinada was walking with..
DO-IT Japan – A Conference for Disabled Youth
DO-IT Japan Booklet Cover, © DO-IT Japan
DO-IT （Diversity, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology）Japan is a program for youth..
Right to Communication for Deaf in Japan
Japan is generally a fairly inclusive place for people from around the world speaking many different languages. While many of the top..
An Interview with Accessibility Advocate Yuriko Oda
Photo by Taeko Tsugiya
A few months ago I had the opportunity to share a bit about Accessible Japan at the Barrierless City Awards. One..
After the Sagamihara Attack
Photo via Chunichi Newspaper
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
As I write this it is now five days since the Sagamihara..
On the Sagamihara Attack
Photo via Kyodo News
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
Since early morning on Tuesday 26th July, I have had many tweets,..
Pokemon Go and Disability
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
Ever since playing the 1983 Star Wars Arcade game, I have loved video games. After my..
Passion for Independence
Maureen T. Corrigan holds a medical degree, a masters in administration and a college fellowship. She began her career as a medical..
Traveling to Japan with a Mobility Scooter
Maureen T. Corrigan holds a medical degree, a masters in administration and a college fellowship. She began her career as a medical..
Support Squeaky Wheels by Suzanne Kamata!
Expat author, advocate, and friend of Accessible Japan, Suzanne Kamata’s unpublished memoir Squeaky Wheels: Travels with my Daughter by..
New Anime Film with Deaf Lead Character will have Subtitles in Theater
A Silent Voice is a new animated film about a lead character who is bullied for being deaf. While most anime in Japan is broadcast..
Awareness of Buggy Wheelchairs Promoted by Mothers
Mothers that have children living with a disability or ailment are using a brand-new method to get around with their children that makes..
Extra Support for Developmentally Disabled Individuals in Japan
People with autism and learning disabilities throughout Japan are receiving support from new laws that can illuminate various social..
Where is the Barrier Free Thinking?
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
Even if you do not have a disability, if you spend enough time in Japan, you will come..
Kyoto in a Manual Wheelchair by Susie from Wheelchair World – Part 2
About Susie – I love travelling, seeing different places, different lifestyles, and different environments. Japan is the 78th country..
Kyoto in a Manual Wheelchair by Susie from Wheelchair World – Part 1
About Susie – I love travelling, seeing different places, different lifestyles, and different environments. Japan is the 78th country..
Eliminating Social Barriers for People with Disabilities in Japan
Japan recently enacted a new law banning discrimination of people with disabilities in the workplace. The attention this new law is..
Priority Seats: To Sit or Not to Sit
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
I have mentioned ‘Priority Seats’ before in my blog posts for Notes from Obstacle..
Works Created by Disabled Artists are Treasured Here
Around 10 minutes from the Kichijoji Station in Tokyo, a specialty store has opened up dealing in art made entirely by disabled artists..
Riding the Bus in a Wheelchair in Japan
While known for its complex and sophisticated train system, Japan also has many buses connecting commuters to the nearest train station...
From Calligraphy to Independence: Shoko Kanazawa
Shoko Kanazawa is a Japanese calligrapher with Down Syndrome. With the confidence she gained through her work, she decided to take the..
A Short Trip to Kyoto in a Wheelchair
Though the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto, may conjure up images of ageless buildings that are not wheelchair accessible. However,..
Disability in Tokyo: On Vanishing and the Imaginary
Mark Bookman is currently a PhD student in East Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Pennsylvania. He came to Japan on..
Barrierless City Awards and Competition
On March 26th, the Barrierless City Awards and Competition was held in downtown Tokyo. The competition began as the effort of two..
Business Booming at Japanese Cafe Run by Deaf Employees
At Sign With Me, a local soup Café in Tokyo customers are received by sign language and gestures from staff members. In Japan it is..
Agricultural Welfare Workshops for Disabled
With new government regulations formed to support welfare workshops specifically for disabled people, we could see agriculture across..
New App for Tokyo’s Busiest Stations
If you are traveling in Tokyo a lot, you may have to do a little bit of guesswork or ask a local guide. With the help of a new..
Minato Ward Improving Experience for Wheelchair Users
A new smartphone app as well as some changes to sightseeing routes in the Minato ward of Tokyo could improve the area for those in..
Kimono for Wheelchair Users
A firm from Aichi Prefecture has created a simple to wear kimono for wheelchair users.
In the past it has been extremely difficult for..
The Reason I Jump – Accessible Japan Book Review
The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism
By Naoki Higashida
Synopsis: A memoir that demonstrates how..
One Cane, One Umbrella, One Hand
Notes from the Obstacle Course
Dr. Michael Peckitt
I don’t mind Mondays, but its rainy days that always get me down. A low pressure..