Need Advice-Traveling to Japan in November! But need help PLEASE!

[polkadotrocks]

My husband and I are traveling to Japan in November, arriving in Narita. We have been debating whether or not to take my Pilot scooter. I know I will need it at Disney. Our concern is after Disney traveling from Narita to Misawa-shi, Aomori, Japan to the military base we wil be staying at forthe remainder of our trip. We have tried to find out which trains would accomodate my scooter, but have not had much luck.I hope there is someone out there that can shed some light on this bleek situation.

We still are not sure how we are getting to Misawa-shi due to the raising plane fairs. We are open to any suggestions.

I am also looking into a new maual wheelchair that moves smoothlywhen my husband and I have to use it.The one I have now is just to akwrd to use and it is very slow. The ones that I have seen now go faster and glide smoother.

Any suggestions anyone could make would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.

Regards, Julie Marsh

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest investing in one (or more) phone calls to the Japanese Embassy in Washington. Also, if there is a Japanese Consulate near you, you might want to go there (with the scooter) and talk to the people there.

Just be aware that many Japanese hate to say "no" to a person, and if they cannot say "yes" will try to work their wording around.

 

[dawnhaze]

I went to Japan in 2005 and mostly traveled in the Kobe-Osaka-Nara area. One of the students on my study abroad trip was in a wheelchair, and just about all the trains and train stations we encountered were accessible. Buses were a hit or miss situation. The airports were fine (we came in through Narita and then hopped to Osaka).

I didn't find any info specifically related to scooters, but on JR East's Accessibility page (http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/customer_support/accessibility.html), these passages exist:
"Wheelchairs that can be brought on board must be no more than 120 centimeters in length/height and no more than 70 centimeters in width."
and
"If you use a wheelchair, you may not be able to board the train depending on the type of wheelchair you use, the train you wish to ride and the station. So be sure to check with us before you buy your ticket." (The picture example is an ECV with a magnification emphasizing the front control panel, for whatever that's worth.)

Customers are instructed to call their info line, and it says they have English-language info, to get details.

 

[Mrsjvb]

an ECV will be less easy to work with than a wc on the trains.

the trains are nearly always crowded esp to and from Tokyo to TD and DS( which you will have an amazing time at)

they do not have HA sections per se although some seats fold up( usually for rush hour) and the gap between train and platform can be wider( see recent news story about the woman who fell into said gap)

will you be at New Sanno while in Tokyo? the rooms are SMALL and the hallways very narrow as well. ( but oh my the food is to die for esp brunch) so that is a consideration as well.