Disabled access in Japan 日本におけるバリアフリー

Access all areas

In recent years, Japan has revised a large part of its public infrastructure and transport to accommodate people with reduced mobility. These changes are being made both to make accessibility easier for seniors and to welcome visitors from around the world to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

Wherever you are


The toilet system has been completely revised at all levels and in all public places. In train stations, on trains, in department stores and supermarkets too, you will find adapted toilets, tamokuteki toilets, with automatic opening and closing doors, plenty of space, and a call button in case of emergency (a fall, illness, etc.).

Note that in department stores, there is often the possibility of loaning a chair, or even a stroller.

A sign for a toilet with disabled access

In Japan, public places, restaurants, shops and supermarkets pets are generally prohibited, mainly for hygiene reasons, except for seeing eye dogs. A blue sticker of a dog will indicate if this is allowed.

A competition is organized each year by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Tourism to award the accessibility prize for the quality of the work done. The most recent winners are: Takayama City, Tokyo Metro Company, AEON Shopping Centers and Kurashiki City.

The foreign disability card does not benefit from reduced rates in Japan.

Tactile Ground Surface Indicators are used by blind people as a guide to navigate streets, intersections, road crossings, subway and train platforms, and so on.

Kiyomizu-dera is accessible for everyone

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