Known as the capital of a thousand years, Kyoto is high on the list of anyone interested in exploring Japan’s refined culture and exciting history. 20% of Japan’s national treasures are found in the city as well as the 17 UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, including Kiyomizu-dera, Nijo Castle, Kyoto’s Imperial Palace, Ginkakuji and more.
Check out our accessibility reviews of tourist spots in Kyoto (listed alphabetically).
- Smooth, paved paths through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove ensures that those in wheelchairs or other mobility aides can also enjoy the ancient atmosphere of Kyoto. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Situated in the foothills off the main tourist area in Arashiyama, this famous bamboo grove is one of Kyoto’s most visited locations. The forest itself is comprised of several main groves, but the Read more...
- Fushimi Inari Shrine is an iconic site in Kyoto with thousands of torii gates that wind up a forested mountain. With a bit of effort, visitors in wheelchairs can see the first stretch of the path and the first two shrines. Background Information Founded in the early 700s and covering an entire mountain, Fushimi Inari is one of Kyoto’s largest Read more...
- Ginkakuji, or the Silver Pavilion, is nestled in Kyoto’s eastern mountains and is a popular stop for many visitors to Japan’s ancient capital. While the site has done the best with what it has, a part of the temple grounds are not wheelchair accessible. The moss garden, sand gardens, and the areas around the buildings are accessible though. General Information Read more...
- Gion in Kyoto is a great place to catch a glimpse of a geisha and see traditional architecture. While the streets and many shops are accessible, the majority of tea houses and traditional restaurants are inaccessible to those in wheelchairs. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Gion, located around Shijo Avenue between Yasaka Shrine in the east and the Kamo River in the west, Read more...
- Heian Shrine is a popular stop for visitors to Kyoto and has some beautiful architecture, however, it is not very accessible to those in wheelchairs or with other mobility challenges. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Despite the name, Heian Shrine does not date back to the Heian Period (794-1185). The shrine was built in 1895 to celebrate the 1100th anniversary of the capital’s Read more...
- Kenninji is one of the five great Zen temples of Kyoto but does not have much to offer for wheelchair users or others with mobility difficulties. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Located just south of the Gion geisha district, Kenninji temple serves as one of the head temples of the Rinzai Sect of Japanese Buddhism. The temple was founded by Eisai, who is Read more...
- Kinkakuji, or the Golden Pavilion, is one of the top stops for anyone visiting Kyoto, and one of Japan’s most popular buildings. Originally a shogun’s estate, it is now a Buddhist temple and is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage site. The site near the pavilion is wheelchair accessible, but much of the gardens are Read more...
- Kiyomizu-dera, officially Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera, is a famous Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto and is often featured in tourist information due to its unique wooden stage that juts out from the main temple building. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage site. While there are some practical challenges for disabled visitors, the temple has Read more...
- Once the residence of the Emperor of Japan, Kyoto Imperial Palace and the surrounding park are now open to the public and is a great way for visitors to enjoy nature and history in one place. While wheelchair accessible toilets are available, the gravel paths and large distances may cause a lot of difficulty for those who use manual wheelchairs or have mobility Read more...
- Kyoto Tower offers views of the ancient capital that are worth seeing and adaptations to the old building have made it relatively wheelchair accessible. Background Information Kyoto Tower was planned to be constructed and completed in time for the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, but was completed closer to the end of 1964. While only 131 meters tall, due to Read more...
- Nanzenji Temple is a very beautiful temple complex which is home to many historically significant structures and gardens. However it is only partially wheelchair accessible. Background Information There’s a lot to see in the Nanzenji area situated in the eastern foothills of Kyoto’s Higashiyama Mountains. Several subtemples and gardens are open to visitors, but the main (semi-) accessible attraction here Read more...
- Nijo Castle is one of the historic sites listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. The facility has done an excellent job of maintaining the original buildings while working to provide accessibility to those in wheelchairs and other disabilities. General Information In 1601, Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period (1603-1867), ordered all Read more...
- Nishiki Market is a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto’s local specialties. The narrow street has much to see and lots of flavors, but it is also very crowded and can be difficult to move around for those with mobility disabilities. General Information Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen”, Nishiki Market specializes in all things food related – from fresh seafood to knives and cookware. It Read more...
- The Philosophers Walk, or Philosophers Path, is a heavily photographed pedestrian path located in Kyoto. This pedestrian path is lined with cherry trees and located along the side of a canal that runs between Nanzenji and Ginkakuji. The name of the Philosophers Walk was taken directly from an influential Japanese philosopher. While the path itself is not terribly accessible, the Read more...
- Sanjusangendo and the 1000 golden statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy and compassion, is fully wheelchair accessible and not to be missed. Background Information Sanjusangendo is hands down one of the most impressive sights in Kyoto, and it’s unbelievable and unfortunate how many tourists skip this one. Luckily, it’s also one of the most accessible-friendly spots in the Read more...
- Yasaka Shrine, or Yasaka Jinja, is one of Kyoto’s most famous shrines and home of the Gion Matsuri. While it doesn’t appear wheelchair accessible at first glance, it is possible to enter via a rear entrance. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Yasaka Shrine, once known as Gion Shrine, is one of Kyoto’s most famous shrines. Built in 656, the shrine was later patronized Read more...
More coming soon…