My mom has bad ankles and, while we will be walking and using public transportation, I’m trying to limit the amount of time spent on her feet. Does anyone have any advice for navigating Japan while being mindful of walking distance?
In addition, does anyone have recommendations for where to stay in Tokyo when it comes to limiting walking time? Shibuya or Shinjuku seem to frequently be recommended as areas to stay given their centrality and the fact that they have good transit links. Is this true? Or, would it be better for us to stay at a hotel two minutes from a train station somewhere else rather than, say, at a Shibuya hotel that’s six minutes from a station?
Thank you for any advice you might have!
EDIT: Thank you to everyone for your responses. Since the post is locked, I’m unable to reply, but your help is much appreciated!
5 comments
Your mom would benefit from a foldable mobility scooter if she isn’t able to walk long distances. My wife just used one in Osaka. We were grateful for investing in one.
Used it on the street, the Dontonburi, at the Osaka Aquarium and at the department stores. We bought this one:
https://www.amazon.ca/Foldable-Electric-Mobility-Scooter-Full-Size/dp/B01MQVDPTX/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=62RTQ4YPCMV9&keywords=atto+folding+mobility+scooter&qid=1695700498&sprefix=atto+mobili%2Caps%2C386&sr=8-3
close as possible to a major station. its gonna be a lot of walking. try take many breaks whenever you can. take the elevator in the stations
About the only thing you can do to limit walking distance is to plan to see less things. You can always consider taking some taxi, that can reduce the walking distance, but can also cost more. Also make regular stops, will likely have to be in café as there is not that much public seating.
Shinjuku and Shibuya are often mentioned as good place to stay but in my opinion it’s not as much as they are well connected (don’t get me wrong, they are), but because they are got nightlife sports.
And yes, you should totally get a hotel closer to a smaller station. Even if you are 6 minutes walk from Shibuya station, depending if you want to take the train or the subway, that can be an extra 6 minutes walk. I would say the station does not have to be major, what is usually recommended if next to the Yamanote line and extra point if next to a subway line. There is also some area with only subway that can make sense, like Asakusa.
Actually I would probably avoid major stations like Ueno, Tokyo, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro. Being major station mean more complicated layout, more lines getting in the same station, so overall more walking inside the station.
Honestly, there isn’t even places to sit. I’m not kidding. If you’re coming from a Western country, public benches and rests just are not a thing. Prepare to stand all day unless you go into a restaurant. Also a lot of the restaurants are standing only.
Get her a cheap jazzy rascal or a pop-up collapsible seat if she has walking issues. Not joking. Even popping into coffee shops can be a problem due to how absolutely packed the amount of people are.
Stay as CLOSE to a subway line, taxis are insanely expensive. Also, there’s a ton of steps just to get thru the stations, multiple floors but there’s an elevator. Just will have to wait a long time for them.
It’s also exceptionally humid, you’re pouring buckets of sweat. And this is coming from a guy from Texas. Bring a bandana or something to wipe your faces if you get worn out from walking, because this will amplify it.
Good luck
It depends entirely on your itinerary. Hubs are convenient, but also require a lot of walking to get to your preferred line. Smaller stations are usually less crowded and much easier to navigate.
Like others said wheel chair or walker with a seat. Taxi for anything inconveniently long. Most short hops like avoiding 20 min walk shouldn’t be too expensive like $5-$10 depending on taxi and time of day. Wheel chair is easiest to bring places as if you’re in a wheel chair many exceptions will be made for your mom.
Bad ankles sounds like she gotta see a doctor though, that’s normally a very fixable issue.
Hope you and your mom have a great time.