Why travelling to Japan with a disability is not the problem many people believe it to be

Japan has made big steps in accessible travel, one expert says, while bodies like Accessible Japan and TokudAw help those with special needs

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Josh Grisdale, founder of Accessible Japan and who has used an electric wheelchair since the age of three, is helped onto a train by railway workers in Japan. The country has made big improvements in providing accessibility options for people with disabilities, one expert says. Photo: Josh Grisdale

Published: 1:15pm, 8 Nov 2024

Japan is currently more of a tourist hotspot than ever, with its weak yen making it very attractive for holidaymakers. In the first half of this year, about 1.3 million people from Hong Kong visited the country.

For some people, however, the prospect of having a holiday in Japan can be a daunting one, with fears over the language barrier and being able to find their way around.

For travellers who are physically challenged, have dietary restrictions, or need accessible accommodation, it can be even more formidable.

Canadian Josh Grisdale, who has lived in Japan since 2007, knows first-hand the challenges that some visitors face. A quadriplegic diagnosed with cerebral palsy as an infant, he has used an electric wheelchair since the age of three.

Josh Grisdale is founder of the Accessible Japan website. Photo: Josh Grisdale

“Many potential visitors don’t have exposure to what daily life in Japan is like,” he says. “Many people view Japan as mysterious with both ancient and modern elements. This also makes Japan look inaccessible to travellers with disabilities as the historic and cultural presentation looks unfriendly to wheelchair users, and the modern bustling cities seem overwhelming.”