Mission, how a
disabled person travel by train in country side of Japan.
(researched 20-21st
September 2014)
The other weekend, I
made a solo back and forth train trip Wakayama City-
Gojo City, Nara Pref
and I did it with out a wheelchair.
Today. I`ll let you
know how I went with JR Wakayama line and how things work.
First of all, I made
a phone call to the JR West (West Japan Railways)
Customer Service
Centre to preinform them the schedule and the requirement
The phone number of
the centre is listed below.
057-000-2486 (Japanese is only spoken)
However, if you
travel with any other railway operators, you may ask me for
a help by leaving me a comment. I`ll find a
way to negotiate with them for
you.
Second, The railway
stations which I went were partly accessible and the
station attendants
are helpful.
Accessible slopes
are placed at the entrances while no accessible slopes
and
elevators are available for underground passages. Plus, the priority toilets are not
located.
However, they sent
me a couple of guys and a wheelchair that I did not use to back me up. One of
them carried my backpack all the way down and up the
stairs to the
platform.
Third, it`s noisy
and wobbly on the running train.
Fourth, the Western
type-toilet is available on a train.(there is a step in front of the toilet.)
Fifth, since Wakayama line is a minor line, trains
are all operated by the drivers. There fore, Wakayama line has rules which you
must remember.
Rule A, in case you
get on a train at a small station, you
pay your fees to the driver, when you get off the train.
Rule B, you should
stick to the door at forefront (the driver side) because the door only opens at every
station.(the rest don`t open at small stations)
In fact, I really
had a hard time to get off the train at Kitauchi Station in Gojo.
Unfortunately, I took a seat that is far from the door, I got rushing into the
door on a little crowded train. That was
one of those things which I wouldn`t want to do with a huge backpack on my
back.
Overall, yes, a disabled person with paralysis on the left side can make a train
trip in Japan. Here, I'll let you know these three things to make
you go.
1, inform the
railway operators in advance to tell what you need. Never hesitate to ask 'em for a help.
2, avoid busy hours.
3, You
could be better to study the language at least before you travel to listen to
the audio guidance wherever you go.
Conclusion, the
train trip was a bunch of fun. As a disabled person , it was
the first train trip
and made me stronger and more confident.
I
would like to thank guys at JR West and my wife for the greatest support.
