Accessible and Comfortable! An Osaka City Sightseeing Model Itinerary for Wheelchair Users

Based on our experience traveling around Japan, universal tourism is still in the process of becoming widespread.
Wheelchair travel in particular often requires ramps and elevators, and adding those to existing facilities can be a high hurdle.
Even within the same tourist area, you may find accessible and non-accessible facilities right next to each other.

In newer buildings, public facilities, and places that attract large crowds, ramps, elevators, and wheelchair-friendly restrooms are increasingly common.
For everyday use of commercial buildings, train stations, museums, and similar facilities, accessibility has improved to the point that many visitors won’t feel inconvenienced.

Under a law revised in 2019, Japan set rules requiring that newly built or expanded hotels with 50 or more guest rooms include a certain number of rooms with entrances at least 80 cm wide.
As a result, even budget business hotels may offer universal rooms with no steps and extra space.

Even as universal tourism continues to expand, doing your homework beforehand is essential when you actually plan to use these services.
The facility you want to use or visit may not be accessible.
In some cases, the facility itself is barrier-free, but getting there isn’t.
For example, you may be able to access it easily by private car or taxi, but it can be difficult via public transportation.
The same applies to getting around on foot: some areas have narrow sidewalks, or they may have ramps but still feel stressful for wheelchair travel, making route planning tricky.
If you’re considering a wheelchair trip, gathering information in advance is key.

Osaka Metro has a convenient and extensive network, and accessibility improvements have also progressed.
Gaps and steps when boarding have been reduced, and each train car has a space right next to the doors where you can park a wheelchair comfortably (some lines still run cars that are not equipped).
Station maps showing where elevators are located are also available online.

Osaka has long had many covered shopping arcades, making it easy to enjoy walking around without an umbrella on rainy days.
And because these aren’t built just for tourists but are places locals use every day, you can also look forward to local products and friendly encounters.

Osaka is surrounded by popular destinations—Kyoto and Kobe are Approx. 30 minutes away, and Nara and Himeji are Approx. one hour away.
If you stay in Osaka, day trips to nearby sightseeing spots are easy to plan.

If you’re traveling by plane, it’s best to register that you’ll be using a wheelchair when you make your reservation.
While it may be possible to request assistance on the day of travel, some flights have limits on how many passengers they can assist.
If you’re flying out of Narita Airport on an LCC, you’ll use Terminal 3, and boarding typically requires going up and down stairs.
However, if you register in advance, staff can guide you to the gate with a lift vehicle, and you can board in your wheelchair.

Kansai International Airport uses boarding bridges, so you can move on and off the aircraft in a wheelchair.
However, you’ll need to wait until all passengers have disembarked before leaving the plane, and you’ll also need to switch back to your wheelchair at baggage claim. If you’re heading out from the airport, plan plenty of time after landing.
To get from the airport to central Osaka, you can use trains or buses. By following the airport signage (pictograms), you’ll be able to reach the platforms and bus stops.

Shin-Osaka Station is easy to navigate, but it’s very busy, and you may have to wait in line for nearly 10 minutes just to get into the platform elevator.
If you have a transfer with limited flexibility or a scheduled appointment, we strongly recommend allowing at least 30 minutes for transfers.

Osaka Station serves multiple lines and can feel like a maze if you’re not familiar with it.
JR ticket gates are on both the first and third floors, and the subway and private railway platforms are also spread out.
Escalators are easy to spot, but elevators may be tucked away, so it’s best to confirm their locations early—by asking station staff, for example.
If you arrive at Shin-Osaka by Shinkansen and plan to stay near Osaka Station, it’s also a good idea to take a taxi straight to your hotel instead of using the train.
Exit via the South Gate and you’ll find a taxi stand right outside; the fare to the Osaka Station area is typically around 2,000 yen.

If you’re traveling from Tokyo to Osaka on the Tokaido Shinkansen, you’ll need to enter through the South Gate.
Other gates involve stairs, making it impossible to reach the platform while staying in your wheelchair.
From the Yaesu South Gate at Tokyo Station, the elevators up to each platform are right in front of you.

If you’re transferring into Tokyo Station, we recommend checking with station staff after you pass through the Shinkansen gates.
The elevator is beyond a ramp behind the gates, and it can be hard to find.
If you have time, you can also request assistance for boarding the train.

Osaka Castle opens at 9:00 am, so if you can head out early, you could also leave around 8:30 am.

From Umeda (JR Osaka Station), take the Midosuji Line, transfer to the Chuo Line at Hommachi, and get off at Tanimachi 4-chome (Approx. 15 minutes).
Take the elevator at Exit 11 to street level, walk toward the pedestrian bridge, then cross at the crosswalk ahead to reach Osaka Castle Park (Approx. 15 minutes on foot).

Osaka Castle, one of the city’s signature attractions, is also barrier-free.
You can take elevators to each floor up to the main keep, and there’s also detailed information available about access from nearby stations (including distance and elevation changes).
Starting in April 2025, visitors can view the original stone walls from when Toyotomi Hideyoshi built Osaka Castle.

From Osaka Castle, it’s just a few minutes on foot to Miraiza Osaka Castle (Kaiyodo Figure Museum). Plan to spend Approx. 40 minutes there.

Miraiza Osaka Castle is a commercial facility housed in a historic building right near Osaka Castle.
On the basement level, you’ll find a museum by Kaiyodo, a company famous for producing highly detailed capsule-toy (gachapon) figures.
More than 3,000 works created over 40+ years are on display, and in the free-admission shop area, you can also buy the latest capsule toys.

Walk 15–20 minutes from Miraiza Osaka Castle to either Tanimachi 4-chome or Tenmabashi subway station.
Take the Tanimachi Line and get off at Ogimachi (Approx. 3–5 minutes). Take the elevator at Exit 2B to street level, cross to the other side of the road, and you’ll be at Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street.

Tenjinbashisuji is Japan’s longest shopping street (Approx. 2.6 km), packed with local, community-based shops.
Some restaurants even advertise 1-yen menu items, and you can try local food on a budget.

It’s a great area for low-cost shopping and dining, but because there are no large commercial complexes, it can be hard to find wheelchair-accessible restrooms.
We recommend using the restroom at the station before you visit.

From JR Tenma Station, take the JR Osaka Loop Line to Osaka Station, then walk Approx. 10 minutes to Umeda Sky Building.
Walk through Umekita Park, which opened in September 2024.

Umeda Sky Building is known for its distinctive design and observation deck on the 40th floor.
Take the elevator to the 35th floor, then ride the “floating” escalator that goes straight from the 35th to the 39th floor.

Wheelchair users can access the observatory via an elevator that goes directly from the 1st floor of Tower East to the 39th floor, and you can also go up to the rooftop viewing points.

Head back to Osaka Station from Umeda Sky Building and enjoy some shopping and a café break.
On the north side of Osaka Station, you’ll find complexes such as Grand Front Osaka, Grand Green Osaka, and LUCUA Osaka.
If you’re tired, it’s a good idea to return to your hotel to rest up before dinner.

From Umeda, take the Midosuji Line and get off at Shinsaibashi or Namba (Approx. 6–9 minutes).
In 5–15 minutes on foot, you’ll reach Dotonbori, where you can stroll, shop, and enjoy dinner.

For the return trip, either take a taxi from Dotonbori or Namba, or ride the Midosuji Line back to Umeda (JR Osaka).

Dotonbori made the list for dinner because you can enjoy its flashy displays, but the Osaka Station area also offers great night views.
From November, holiday illuminations begin leading up to Christmas, so if you’re staying near Osaka Station, dining at a restaurant around the station is also a nice choice.

Because Osaka Castle Park requires walking outdoors, we don’t recommend visiting on rainy days—especially for wheelchair travel.
If you want to stay active in the morning, a good alternative is the Kaiyukan Aquarium in the bay area.
To get from Kaiyukan to Tenjinbashi Shopping Street, take the Chuo Line from the nearest station, Osakako, transfer to the Sakaisuji Line at Sakaisuji-Hommachi, and get off at Ogimachi.

On the Tokaido Shinkansen, reserving the last row of seats gives you access to the baggage space directly behind your seat.
Other passengers who aren’t aware may put their luggage there first, so head to the platform early and line up toward the front.

For easy access from Tokyo and convenience when exploring on foot, we recommend staying at a hotel directly connected to Osaka Station.
From your room, you can also watch the rail lines and the bustle in front of the station—and enjoy the view.

One thing you’ll notice right away when you start exploring is how easy it is to ride the subway.
In Tokyo, you can reach platforms by elevator, but there are often gaps between the platform and the train, so you need to be careful when boarding and exiting.
On Osaka Metro, many stations have eliminated these gaps and steps, making it possible to roll straight on.
Plus, each car has space for wheelchairs and strollers, so you can ride without worrying about other passengers.

Because wheelchair-accessible restrooms are easy to find, it’s a good idea to stroll the covered arcade of Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street.
And since your hotel is directly connected to the station, rain isn’t a problem.

In preparation for the Expo, Osaka introduced universal design taxis at a target ratio of one in four, making it easier for wheelchair users to get in and out.
Many taxi drivers are used to assisting wheelchair travelers, so even if you’re traveling with lots of luggage, you can ride with confidence.

Wheelchair strolls in Osaka are much easier than in many other areas, but depending on the route, you may still run into difficult spots.
Even if a destination is close as the crow flies, you may need a detour to get there. For peace of mind, check the route to your destination in advance using tools like Street View.

It’s usually not hard to find the elevator from the platform to the ticket-gate level, but there are surprisingly few elevators from the ticket-gate level up to the street.
If you exit through the wrong gate, you may find there’s no street-level elevator. Always confirm which gate gives you access to the elevator before you leave the ticket gates.

On many Osaka Metro trains, each car has a dedicated space where wheelchairs and strollers can be parked.
The platform signage shows which door number is closest to that space, so wait for the train where the sign is marked.

Inside station ticket gates and in commercial facilities, you’ll find larger restrooms that wheelchair users can use, but you shouldn’t expect the same from public restrooms around town or small restaurants.
Try to use the restroom early and often.

OSAKAINFO, the official Osaka tourism information website, has compiled universal tourism resources.
You can search for accessible accommodations, sightseeing spots, and food options, and it also lists multiple model routes.

Weather has become more extreme in recent years, and from spring through fall, you may even get hit by sudden downpours that feel like a squall.
A little rain may be manageable, but in heavy rain, some places can become difficult to move around in.
Check the forecast, and if the weather looks like it will take a turn, have a backup plan in mind.

There are discount programs for people who hold a disability certificate, but there are no specific discounts just for wheelchair users.
In some cases, senior discounts or discounts tied to credit card partnerships may be available, so if you’re over 60 or have a membership card with perks, it’s worth asking at the ticket counter.

Many taxi drivers in Osaka are accustomed to assisting wheelchair users.
While the subway and JR lines are cheaper, taxis can be a big advantage for short trips, where the fare stays reasonable.
If your budget allows, we recommend using taxis proactively.

When going up to or down from Shinkansen platforms, it’s common to find long lines.
That’s because large numbers of passengers move at once.
Unfortunately, in Japan, the custom of prioritizing wheelchair users is not widespread, so even if you use a wheelchair, there are many situations where you’ll need to wait in line.
In particular, elevators at train stations often involve longer waits than at other facilities, so it’s best to build in extra time.

Getting around by wheelchair is demanding for both the traveler and their companion.
And when you’re traveling, you’re likely to get tired more easily than usual, so don’t overdo it.
If you’re staying at a hotel right by the station, it’s easy to head back for a short rest and then go back out again.

Japan is a safe country, but crimes like pickpocketing and theft do happen.
In crowds, it’s easy to focus on maneuvering your wheelchair, but be sure to stay aware of whether anyone suspicious is approaching.

If you can book a universal room, that’s ideal, but because there are only a few, securing one may be difficult.
Even if a universal room isn’t available, reserving a larger room at a higher-grade city hotel (rather than a business hotel) can still be easier for wheelchair users.
A caregiving shower chair can make bathing much easier, so it’s worth requesting one at check-in.