Tokyo is the ultimate city of contrasts, where ancient and ultra-modern coexist in a perfect balance. From its neon-lit streets and towering skyscrapers to serene temples and lush gardens, Tokyo never fails to mesmerize visitors with its energy and diversity.
Tokyo has been designed with accessibility in mind. The city’s public transportation system is extensive, including subways, trains, and buses; most are accessible to all. Most stations include ramps and elevators for those with mobility challenges, tactile paving and braille for the visually impaired, and staff are available to help when needed. All sidewalks have tactile paving and lowered curbs; all traffic lights have sound signals, and most elevators have lowered buttons and braille signage. The public buildings, shopping centers, and tourist attractions in Tokyo are also designed to be accessible to all.
Shinagawa and Shinagawa station
Shinagawa Station, located in the Shinagawa district of Tokyo, is one of the city’s major transportation hubs. If you travel via bullet train, Tokyo and Shinagawa stations are the only two stations serving bullet trains.
I chose to mention this because Shinagawa is an excellent option for a short layover after arriving in Japan if you’re not staying in Tokyo. We arrived in Tokyo in the late afternoon after an 11-hour flight. A night at one of Shinagawa’s hotels allowed us some much-needed rest before taking the 5-hour bullet train to our first destination.
We stayed at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel near Shinagawa Station. The hotel is huge, with multiple towers, various room types, restaurants, bars, cafes, a fitness center, and even an on-site bowling alley and movie theater.
We stayed in a universal room on the 22nd floor of the main tower. The room was great and very convenient after a long flight, but it did not have a roll-in shower. Instead, it had a shower chair and drains outside the bathtub, like most hotels in Japan. Here’s the link to the room on the Japanese website.
Asakusa
Asakusa is a historic district in Tokyo known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant atmosphere, and it’s a must-visit. At the heart of Asakusa stands the iconic Senso-ji Temple (wheelchair-accessible via an elevator and a ramp), one of Tokyo’s oldest and most respected Buddhist temples. Leading to the temple, the bustling Nakamise-dori shopping street, lined with traditional shops selling souvenirs, snacks, and crafts.
The 8th-floor observation terrace of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center offers a nice view of Asakusa and Tokyo Sky Tree. It is free and open from 10 am to 8 pm.
Some of the street food we tried in Asakusa:
Kibidango at Kibidango Aduma on Nakamise dori. Kibidango is a sweet dumpling made of mochi rice and soybean flour and has been popular in Asakusa since the Edo period.
Ice cream in melon bread at Asakusa Kagetsudo was delicious!
A sweet potato creme brulle at Imo pippi
Asakusa also boasts the Sumida River, where you can enjoy scenic boat cruises with “The Tokyo Sea Cruise.” The boats are wheelchair-accessible and offer a different way to explore the city’s waterfront and enjoy panoramic views of Tokyo Bay and its iconic landmarks.
We took the boat from Asakusa to Odaiba, a one-hour ride with views of the Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Tower, and the Tokyo Skytree. The price is 2000¥ (approx. 13.5$), there’s no disability discount.
Other cruise options are also available, such as romantic evening dinner cruises, cherry blossom viewing cruises in spring, or fireworks cruises during summer festivals.
Odaiba
Odaiba is a futuristic artificial island in Tokyo Bay. It is known for its innovative architecture, entertainment complexes, stunning waterfront views, seaside parks and beaches, and the iconic Rainbow Bridge that connects the island to the mainland.
The replica of the Statue of Liberty is another famous landmark in Odaiba. The original statue, made in France in 1889, was placed in Odaiba from April 1998 to January 1999 as a symbol of the Japan-France friendship. It was so popular that a replica was created in 1999 with official permission from Paris and was unveiled on December 22, 2000. It is 12.25 meters in height from the pedestal to the top and weighs 9 tons.
Harajuku and Shibuya
Harajuku is a diverse neighborhood in Tokyo, famous for its unique fashion, street art, and unique atmosphere. The focal point of Harajuku is Takeshita Street, a narrow pedestrian street lined with trendy boutiques, cafes, and street food stalls. The area is hilly, and manual wheelchair users may need help. Cat Street is another street in the area known for its fashion boutiques, vintage shops, and trendy cafes.
If you are looking for luxury brand flagship stores, head to Omotesando, a stylish avenue often compared to the Champs-Élysées in Paris or Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Not far from Takeshta and Omotesando streets is the serene Meiji Shrine. This Shinto shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, is surrounded by a lush forest of over 100,000 trees, creating a peaceful sanctuary away from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Visitors to the Meiji Shrine pass through massive wooden torii gates, marking the transition from the urban landscape into the sacred realm of the Shrine. The main path, known as the Meiji Jingu Gyoen, offers a leisurely stroll through towering trees, serene gardens, and open spaces – peace. The Shrine is wheelchair accessible with paved paths and ramps. The entrance is free.
Another iconic landmark in the area is Shibuya Crossing – a famous pedestrian scramble intersection in Tokyo; definitely a must-visit spot if you’re ever in the city!
There are several viewpoints from which to observe Shibuya Crossing, such as the Starbucks in the Shibuya Tsutaya building (temporarily closed), the Shibuya Sky observation deck in the Shibuya Scramble Square building (must be booked way in advance), or the Shibuya Station glass concourse bridge (in one of the photos) that offers a free of charge view of the crossing. We went to the Magnet by Shibuya 109 shopping mall rooftop that, unfortunately, had stairs. My companion paid the 600¥ admission fee (including one drink) and took some great photos while I waited by the elevator. The rooftop is open from 11 am to 11 pm
Ginza
Ginza is Tokyo’s upscale shopping and entertainment district, renowned for its high-end boutiques, luxury department stores, and Michelin-starred restaurants. The main street closes off to traffic on Saturdays and Sundays, becoming a pedestrian paradise.
Ginza is also home to a vibrant arts and culture scene, with art galleries, theaters, and performance venues showcasing traditional and contemporary works. The district’s historic Kabuki-za theater hosts traditional Kabuki performances, providing a glimpse into Japan’s rich theatrical heritage.
The Tsukiji Outer Market, near Ginza, is the best place in Tokyo to enjoy fresh seafood. Visit early in the morning when it’s bustling with activity, and you can experience the freshest seafood and other culinary delights. Most stalls and restaurants typically open from 5:00 in the morning to noon or early afternoon.
Ueno
Ueno Park is one of Japan’s most popular public parks. The park is also home to many museums, including the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, and the National Science Museum. All three museums are accessible and free for disabled visitors and one companion.
Ueno Park is also famous for its cherry blossoms, which attract visitors during the hanami (flower-viewing) season, and for several ponds, with Shinobazu Pond being the largest and most prominent. The pond is divided into three sections: the Lotus Pond, Boat Pond, and Cormorant Pond, each with its unique charm and activities.
The Ueno Zoo has over 3,000 animals from around the world, including Giant Pandas, Gorillas, and more. It is free for disabled visitors and one companion.
Not far from the park is Ameya-Yokocho, often abbreviated as Ameyoko. It’s a bustling street market famous for its atmosphere, diverse shops, and izakayas and food stalls.
Originally established after World War II as a black market selling American goods, it has since evolved into a bustling marketplace offering everything from fresh produce and seafood to clothing, accessories, cosmetics, and electronics.
Ameyoko is flat and easy to explore in a wheelchair. It has many restaurants with outside accessible seating areas and a fun atmosphere.
Akihabara
Akihabara, often called “Electric Town,” is a district in Tokyo renowned for its electronics shops, anime and manga culture, and otaku (geek) subculture.
The district has hundreds of electronics and anime shops, maid cafes, video game arcades, and various themed cafes and restaurants featuring popular anime and manga characters. If you’re looking for some gadgets or a unique experience like nowhere else, Akihabara is the place. On Sundays, Chuo Dori, the main street through the district, is closed to car traffic from 1pm to 5pm.
Shinjuku
We stayed in Shinjuku while in Tokyo, and we absolutely loved it!
With its towering skyscrapers, endless shopping and entertainment options, and Shinjuku Station, which allows easy access anywhere in and outside of metropolitan Tokyo, it’s an excellent base for exploring Tokyo.
The Shinjuku Station, one of the busiest railway stations in the world, can be challenging to navigate at first, but with staff assistance, it’s seamless and fast. The station is wheelchair-accessible, but not all exits are equipped with elevators. I’d suggest asking for assistance at the gate every time.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku has a free observation deck that provides breathtaking views of Tokyo and beyond.
Kabukicho is an entertainment district in East Shinjuku known for its nightlife, bars, clubs, restaurants, adult entertainment, and the famous red-light district.
There are also areas in Shinjuku where visitors can experience the charm of old Tokyo. One such area is the Omoide Yokocho, also known as Memory Lane. Located just a short walk from Shinjuku Station, Omoide Yokocho is a narrow alley with rustic wooden buildings, traditional lanterns, tiny eateries, and izakayas. Another area worth exploring is the Golden Gai, a maze of narrow alleys filled with small bars and pubs. Located near Kabukicho in Shinjuku, the Golden Gai retains its old-world charm with its dimly lit streets, eclectic decor, and intimate atmosphere.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a picturesque park located in the heart of the Shinjuku district. It features traditional Japanese gardens, a traditional Japanese tea house, a French-style chateau, and a diverse collection of plants and flowers, including cherry blossoms in spring, azaleas in early summer, and colorful foliage in autumn. It’s a nice place to take a break from the non-stop pace of the city.
Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku
Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku is a good 3-star hotel in a perfect location, only 5 minutes from Shinjuku Station South gate. The hotel offers two types of Universal rooms: twin and double (both are featured on the hotel’s website under room types). We stayed in a twin room – a pretty basic room with an electric adjustable bed, grab bars, a floating sink, and a shower chair with drains outside the bathtub (no roll-in shower).
In addition to exploring Tokyo, you can take many day trips to various places, such as Hakone, Tokyo Disney Resort, Lake Kawaguchi, and more.