Disabled Tourists Facilities, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka tourism

SHIZUOKA PREFECTURE GUIDE FOR DISABLED TOURISTS: RAILWAY STATIONS AND RAILWAY LINES

October 20, 2014 dragonlife Leave a comment

(Wikipedia)

SHIZUOKA PREFECTURE RAILWAY LINES & STATIONS: THE COMPLETE GUIDEE

JR EAST-East Japan Railway Official English Guide

Unfortunately, for all its daily use of state of the art technology, Japan and Shizuoka Prefecture do not always provide facilities for disabled tourists on all railway lines and stations. Therefore there is an urgent need to know at least which ones are so equipped.

Photos & information credit: Atsuko Kurata, Mr. Tkahashi, Robert-Gilles Martineau

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SHINKANSEN LINE

This is the line also going through Shizuoka Prefecture via the Shinkasen/bullet trains.
There are 6 stations serviced in Shizuoka Prefecture (from Tokyo): Atami, Mishima, Shin Fuji (not to be confused with Fuji Station!), Shizuoka, Kakegawa and Hamamatsu.
Bear in mind that the entrance to the Shinkansen line is through a different gate from that of the Tokaido Line!
Usually Shinkansen Line Stations are equipped with lifts/elevators.

Car No 11 on Kodama and faster Hikari Trains is equipped with wheelchair users’ washroom and seats.
Seats have to be reserved two days ahead.

Access door and equipped washroom.

Washroom view.

Access to equipped washroom is clearly indicated inside Shizuoka Station.

Disabled guests washroom in Shizuoka JR (City) Station.

Usually at least one car is provided with a fully equipped washroom, but the Shinkansen trains are narrow, do not hesitate to ask JR employees when they help you board a train to ask them to lift you aboard the right car.
Japanese staff are kind-hearted and professional and will try their hardest to help you along.
When you go through the ticket gates go along the cubicle where the staff is posted. Have your tickets punched manually and ask for help. It will be readily granted without a fuss.

Shizuoka JR (City) Shinkasen Line entrance.

Shizuoka JR (City) Shinkansen Line entrance wheel chair user’s sign clearly indicated.

SHINKANSEN STATIONS (Click on map to enlarge and print)
Reference site

ATAMI STATION:

(JR Tokai)

Atami Station is equipped with one washroom past the ticket gate. Apparently there is none outside the station.

There is one more equipped washroom past the entrance to the Shinkasen Line but only in the direction to Shizuoka! On the right of the elevator!
Check GOOGLE MAP

—————-
MISHIMA STATION:

(JR Tokai)

This is a complicated and impractical station.
Make a point to enter the station from the North Ticket Gate, not the opposite or you will have to move untold distances.
There is only one equipped washroom you can enter on your right after passing through the normal ticket gate and before going through the Shinkansen ticket gate.
Check on GOOGLE MAP

—————–
SHIN-FUJI STATION:

(JR Tokai)

This a simple station.
And it has only one equipped washroom: past the Shinkansen Line ticket gate, downstairs between the escalators leading to platform No 1, direction Atami, Tokyo.
Check on GOOGLE MAP
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SHIZUOKA STATION:

(JR Tokai)

Shizuoka Station is vast and has four equipped washrooms: one inside the vast lobby, one straight ahead from the Shinkansen line gates along the far left corridor.
A second one is located past the Shinkansen Line ticket gate behind the escalator leading to Platform No 5, direction Tokyo.
A third one is located inside along the Shinkansen Line platform No 6, direction Hamamatsu, Nagoya, Osaka.
The fourth one is located past the separate Tokaido Line ticket gate behind the escalator leading to platform No 1, direction Atami.
Check on GOOGLE MAP

—————
KAKEGAWA STATION:
(JR Tokai)

(JR Tokai)

Kakegawa Station is not too complicated.
It has three equipped washrooms: one before and one past the north exit ticket gate, the third one along the Shinkasen Line Platform No 5, direction Hamamatsu, Nagoya.
Check on GOOGLE MAP
—————-
HAMAMATSU STATION:

(JR Tokai)

Hamamatsu Station is also a vast station.
It has three equipped washrooms: two inside and at both extremities of the vast lobby, and one past the ticket gate along the Shikansen Line platform No 6, direction Nagoya, Osaka.
Check on GOOGLE MAP

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TOKAIDO RAILWAY LINE

This is the local line running all through Shizuoka Prefecture.
Usually at least one car is provided with a fully equipped washroom.
Do not hesitate to ask JR employees when they help you board a train to ask them to lift you aboard the right car.
Japanese staff are kind-hearted and professional and will try their hardest to help you along.
When you go through the ticket gates go along the cubicle where the staff is posted. Have your tickets punched manually and ask for help. It will be readily granted without a fuss.
Important stations are equipped with special washrooms and lifts/elevators, but not always. So do check in advance.

Shizuoka (City) Tokaido Line Entrance.

Shizuoka (City) Tokaido Line ticket gate for wheelchair users.

Shizuoka (City) Tokaido Line wheelchair user sign clearly indicated.

List of stations with facilities availability or absence indicated:

Atami: Yes, inside and outside
Kannami: Yes, outside
Mishima: Yes, inside

Access to elevator for disabled tourists in Numazu Station!

Numazu: Yes, inside

Katahama: Yes, inside
Hara: Yes, inside
Higashi Tago no Ura: No
Yoshiwara: Yes, inside
Fuji (not to be confused with Shin Fuji!): Yes, inside
Fujikawa: No
Shin Kambara: No
Kambara: No
Yui: No
Okitsu: Yes, inside
Shimizu (not to be confused with Shin Shimizu!): yes, inside
Kusanagi: No
Higashi Shizuoka:Yes, inside and outside
Shizuoka: Yes, inside and outside
Abekawa: No
Mochimune: No
Yaizu: Yes, outside
Nishi Yaizu: Yes, outside
Fujieda: Yes, outside
Rokugo: Yes, inside
Shimada: Yes, inside and outside
Kanaya: No
Kikugawa: Yes, inside
Kakegawa: Yes, inside and outside
Aino: Yes, inside
Fukuroi: No
Iwata: Yes, inside
Toyodacho: Yes, inside
Tenryugawa: No
Hamamatsu: Yes, inside and outside
Takatsuka: Yes, inside
Maisaka: Yes, inside
Bentenjima: No
Arai: Yes, inside
Washizu: Yes, inside
Shinjohara: No

____________________________
IZUKYU LINE

This particular line covers the route from Atami City-Ito City-Shimoda City along the east coast of Izu Peninsula.
It can be traveled through via the Odoriko Train from Tokyo and Super View Odoriko Train from Ikebukuro/Shinjuku/Tokyo and via the Izu Kyuko Trains from Ito City.
The Odoriko train does have a special access door in car No 9 and seems to have an equipped washroom in the same car (under investigation)
The Izu Kyuko Trains from Ito City do not seem to be equipped (under investigation)

List of stations with facilities availability or absence indicated:

Atami：Yes, outside
Kinomiya: No
Izu-Taga: No
Ajiro: No
Usami: No
Ito (JR LINE): Yes, inside
Ito (Izu Kyuko Line): Yes, same as above
Minamiito: No
Kawana: No
Futo: Yes
Jogasaki Kaiga: No
Izu Kogen: Yes
Izu Okawa: Yes
Izu Hokkawa: No
Izu Atagawa: No
Katase Shirata: Yes
Izu Inatori: No
iamaihama Kaigan: Yes
Kawazu: Yes
Inazusa: No
Rendaiji: No
Izukyu Shimoda: Yes

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IZU-HAKONE RAILWAY SUNZU LINE

A single line from Mishima City (on the right past the south exit of Mishima JR Station) to Shuzenji, a very famous spa resort in the middle of Izu Peninsula.
Cars have no toilets.
List of stations with facilities availability or absence indicated:

Mishima: Yes, inside
Mishima Hirokoji： No
Mishima Tamachi: No
Mishima Futsukamachi: No
Daiba: No
Izunita: No
Baraki: No
Nirayama: No
Izunagaoka： Yes
Takyo: No
Ohito: No
Makinogou: No
Shuzenji: No

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GOTEMBA LINE

This a line linking Kozu City in Kanagawa Prefecture to Numazu City in Shizuoka Prefecture. It crosses Shizuoka Prefecture from Numazu City to Suruga Oyama Station.

Although only two stations do have washroom facilities for disabled tourists, the train have at least one car equipped.

Special seating with rope!

Washroom!

List of stations with facilities availability or absence indicated:

Numazu: Yes, inside
Ooka: No
Shimo Togari: Yes, inside
Nagaizumi Nameri: No
Susono: No
Iwanamai: No
Fujioka: No
Minami Gotemba: No

Ticket gate for disabled travelers at Gotemba Station!

Gotemba Station washroom!

Gotemba: Yes, inside
Ashigara: No
Suruga Oyama: No

___________________________
MINOBU LINE

This is a line linking Fuji City in Shizuoka Prefecture to Kofu City in Yamanashi Prefecture.
It crosses Shizuoka Prefecture from Fuji City to Inako in Fujinomiya City:

Although only two stations do have washroom facilities for disabled tourists, the train have at least one car equipped.

Easy access!

Special seating with rope!

List of stations with facilities availability or absence indicated:

Fuji (not to be confused with Shin Fuji!): Yes, inside
Yunoki: No
Tatebori: No
Iriyamase: No
Fujine: No
Gendoji: No

Fujinomiya: Yes, inside

Nishi Fujinomiya: No
Numakubo: No
Shibakawa: No
Inako: No

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GAKUNAN RAILWAY LINE

The Gakunan Railway Line (岳南鉄道線) is a Japanese railway line between Yoshiwara and Gakunan-Enoo, all within the industrial area of Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture. The line does not have any official name. This is the only railway line Gakunan Electric Train Co., Ltd. (岳南電車株式会社) operates. The operator company was established on April 1, 2013 as a subsidiary of the former operator Gakunan Railway (岳南鉄道), a subsidiary of Fuji Kyuko.

No trains, nor the stations are equipped.
List of stations with facilities availability or absence indicated:

Entrance to the Gakunan Line in Yoshiwara Station.

Yoshiwara: No
Jatco Mae: No
Yoshiwara Honcho-Hon: No
Yoshiwara: No
Gakunan: No
Harada: No
Hina: No
Gakunan Fujioka: No
Suda: No
Kamiya: No
Gakunan Enoo: No

_____________________________________________________________
SHIZUOKA-SHIMIZU RAILWAY LINE (SHIZUTETSUDO)

This is mainly a very practical commuter line between Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku and Shizuoka City, Shimizu Ku.

Ticket gates.

Wheelchair user ticket gate at Shin Shizuoka Station.

Disabled travelers washroom past the ticket gate at Shin shizuoka Station.

The trains are not equipped with any kind of washroom.
Enter the train just behind the driver’s seat for better safety

List of stations with facilities availability or absence indicated:

Shin Shizuoka (Cenova Department Store): yes, inside and outside
Hiyoshicho: No
Otowacho: No
Kasugacho: No
Yunoki: No
Naganuma: No
Furusho: No
Ken Sogo Undojo: No
Kenritsu Bijutsukan Mae: No
Kusanagi: Yes, inside
Mikadodai: No
Kitsunegasaki: Yes, inside
Sakurabashi: Yes, outside
Ireoka: No
Shin Shimizu (the last one not to be confused with Shimizu JR Station!): Yes, inside

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OIGAWA RAILWAY

The Ōigawa Railway (大井川鐵道) is a railway company in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The company is commonly known as Daitetsu (大鐵). The company belongs to Meitetsu Group. The first section of its lines opened in 1927.
There are two railway lines operated, Ōigawa Main Line and Ikawa Line. Both lines primary function as sightseeing lines. The former line is known for its steam locomotive trains, while the latter is the only rack railway line in Japan.

The　Steam Locomotive is equipped with only one common toilet unsuitable for wheelchair passengers and other trains do not have any toilets. Only foldable wheelchairs can be borded on SL trains
List of stations with facilities availability or absence indicated:

Kanaya (next to Kanaya JR Station): No (but available in nearby JR Kanaya Station)
Shin Kanaya: yes, inside
Daikancho: No
Higiri: No
Goka: No
Kamio: No
Fukuyo: No
Owada: No
Ieyama: No
Nukuri: No
Kawane Onsen Sasamado: No
Jina: No
Shiogo: No
Shimoizumi: No
Tanokuchi: No
Suruga Tokuyama: No
Aobe: No
Sakidaira: No
Senzu: Yes

__________________________________________
ŌIGAWA RAILWAY IKAWA LINE

The Ikawa Line (井川線) of the Ōigawa Railway is the only rack-and-pinion railway operating in Japan.
The line originates at Senzu Station in Kawanehon, Shizuoka, the end station of the Ōigawa Main Line, and terminates at Ikawa Station in Aoi-ku, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture. The line has 61 tunnels and 51 bridges along its 25.5 kilometer length. It is the second trunk of the Oigawa Line leaving from Kanaya Station.

The trains are not equipped with any toilets..
List of stations with facilities availability or absence indicated (Under investigation):

Senzu: Yes
Kawane Ryogoku: No
Sawama: No
Domoto: No
Kawane Koyama: No
Okuizumi: No
Abt Ichishiro: No
Nagashima Dam: No
Hiranda: No
Okuoikojo: No
Sessokyo Onsen: No
Omori: No
Kanzo: No
Ikawa: No

_____________________________
TENHAMA LINE

This is truly touristic Railway Line that runs from Kakegawa JR Station to Shinjyohara JR Station. It includes 11 Meiji Era Stations registered as Cultural Assets!

Unfortunately the trains are not equipped with toilets whatsoever although access by wheel chair is possible.
List of stations with facilities availability or absence indicated :

Kakegawa: No, but available inside and outside Kakegawa JR Station.
Kakegawa Shiyakusho: No
Nishi Kakegawa: No
Sakuragi: No
Ikoi No Hiroba: No
Hosoya: No
Harada: No
Towata: No
Enshumori: Yes
Enden: No
——————–
Totoumi Ichinomiya

Tootoumi Ichinomiya Station.

Outside.
——————
Shikiji: Yes
Toyooka: Yes
Uenobe: No
—————–
Tenryuu Futamata

Tenryuu Futamata Station

Outside.
—————-
Futamata Honmachi: No
Nishi Kajima: No
Gansuiji: Yes
Miyaguchi: Yes
Fruits Park: Yes
Miyakoda: Yes
Tokoha Daigaku Mae: No
Kanasashi: No
Kiga Koukou Mae: No
Kiga: No
Nishi Kiga: No
Sunza: No
Hamanako Sakume: No
Higashi Tsuzuki: No
Tsuzuki: No
Mikkabi: Yes
Oku Hamanako: No
Ona: No
Chibata: Yes
Oomori: No
Asumo Mae: No
Shinjohara: No

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ENSHU RAILWAY LINE

The Enshū Railway Line is a commuter line running north from Shin Hamamatsu, Naka Ward through Nishi Kajima, Tenryū Ward, all within Hamamatsu City.

The trains do not seem to be equipped (under investigation).

List of stations with facilities availability or absence indicated:

(From Hamamatsu):
Shin Hamamatsu (not to be confused with Hamamatsu Station): Yes
Dai Ichi Doori: No
Enshu Biyoin: No
Hachiman: No
Sukenobu: Yes
Hikuma: Yes
Kamijima: Yes
Jidosya Gakkou Mae: No
Saginomiya: No
Sekishi: No
Enshu Nishigasaki: No
Enshu Komatsu: No
Hamakita: Yes
Misono Chuo Koen: Yes
Enshu Kobayashi: Yes
Enshu Shibamoto: No
Enshu Gansuiji:No
Nishi Kajima: No