Field work in Chidorigafuchi

Hello, I am HIYOKO, I became a member of Accessible Tokyo in 2016. We had the field work at Chidorigafuchi Ryokudo on February18, 2017. We were six female members including wheelchair user YUKORIN. Chidorigafuchi is located along Kitanomaru Park next to the Imperial Palace. It is one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom from the end of March to April, so we did the field work in advance. This was my second field work after Tokyo Disneyland in November of 2016. At present I repeat one trial and error after another.

We met at 1:30 pm at the lobby of the Marunouchi Building in front of JR Tokyo Station, Marunouchi Gate. This lobby is spacious, and there are some chairs where we can conveniently gather.

*The ground floor lobby of the Marunouchi Building*

It was very cold on the day. At first, we headed for the Otemachi Subway Station of the Tozai Line to go to Kudanshita Station. We took the elevator at Exit B1 beside the Marunouchi Eiraku Building to go down to the ticket gate. We found out they didn’t have any elevators from the ticket gate going down to the platform.

So, we went up to the ground level again and headed for Exit B2 next to the OAZO Building. From there, we went down to the ticket gate (East Central Gate) and again went down to the platform using the elevator on our left side.

*The elevator going down to the platform at Otemachi Station*

I had been to Exit B2 on my Service Guide Activity. I am sure that Service Guide and Accessible Activity are closely connected with each other.

At Otemachi and Kudanshita Stations, there were not many gaps and differences in height between platforms and trains and YUKORIN managed to get on and off the train without using a board.

At Kudanshita Station, we headed for Exit 6. However, we found out they did not have any elevator from Exit 6 to the ground level. So, we returned to the platform again and headed for Exit 7 to take the elevator going up to the ground level.

*The restroom with wheelchair access outside the Exit 6 at Kudanshita Station*

From Kudanshita Station, we walked along Mejiro-dori Avenue, turned right at the intersection, and took Yasukuni-dori Avenue.

Yasukuni-dori Avenue is ascending as there is a monument written “Kudan Hill”. The sidewalk is wide enough to handle a wheelchair. We saw a large torii (shrine gate) of Yasukuni Shrine beyond the trees. We walked past the front gate of Tayasu-mon, and reached Chidorigafuchi Ryokudo. We saw the Embassy of India on our right side. There were only a few people since it was very cold that day. . Though the buds of the cherry trees are still young, for sure they will bloom in a month. We enjoyed the quiet and relaxing atmosphere.

There was a Boat Rental Service on the left side and a restroom with wheelchair access on the right side of Chidorigafuchi Ryokudo. We will see the cherry blossoms in full bloom and many boats on the moat in a month. They are like a picture, aren’t they? The cherry blossoms will be lighted at night during the season. While walking, we saw the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery only a distance away from the Boat Rental Service. Chidorigafuchi Ryokudo is flat and easy to walk. From there, we walked along Daikancho-dori Avenue to Kitanomaru park. It has a narrow sidewalk compared to Yasukuni-dori Avenue and Chidorigafuchi Ryokudo, moreover it is ascending. While walking inside Kitanomaru Park, I saw a public phone box with wheelchair access. I saw such a phone box for the first time. When we reached Nippon Budokan, there were many people around there because of one big event. We asked the people to make way for the wheelchair and walked slowly. The path around Nippon Budokan was paved with stones, so I was worried that YUKORIN might feel uncomfortable. Around Tayasumon-mon gate, the slope was quite steep and descending. The handler of the wheelchair turned and descended backwards for safety while taking down YUKORIN’s wheelchair.We walked down Yasukuni-dori Avenue and headed for Kudanshita Station, Exit 6 behind Resona Bank. I inform you that at Kudanshita Station we used Exit 7 to go up to the ground level, and used Exit 6 to go down to the platform for taking the train to Otemachi Station.

*We finished the field work without any incidents.*

*The passage to the elevator at Kudanshita Station*

It took about two hours and a half to finish our field work. I think it will take much time during the cherry blossom season, so I recommend you make a leisurely plan. As it was very cold when we did the field work, Chidorigafuchi area wasn’t crowed. We really enjoyed the day, relaxed and comfortable. I would like to visit this place again and see the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Spring is approaching, enjoy and have fun.