Senso-ji Temple
Hi! I am YUKORIN, a wheelchair user. I’ll report the latter half of our field work in Asakusa. We checked wheelchair accessibility at Senso-ji Temple.
There are no steps at the entrance of Senso-ji Temple which is known as Kaminarimon Gate. Wheelchair users can pass smoothly. What a huge lantern!
The entrance of Senso-ji Temple, Kaminarimon Gate
Senso-ji Temple is one of the most popular sightseeing spots among foreign tourists. Nakamise shopping street leading to Senso-ji Temple was very crowded with tourists. However, I enjoyed seeing around the street because Accessible members guided me through it.
I walked around Nakamise shopping street in a wheelchair.
I recommend you to turn off the main street and walk along the backstreet of those shops because it is much quieter than the main street.
We found an elevator on the left side of the main temple. Wheelchair users can go up to the main temple in the elevator.
The elevator for wheelchair users which is located by the main temple
There are ramps inside the temple.
Ramp in the main temple
Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa International
Subsequently our members went to Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa International which opened last year. We took a look at the wheelchair accessible room.
The front entrance of Marugoto Nippon bldg., including Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa International
We can enter the hotel from the fifth floor of the Marugoto Nippon building which is well known through TV commercials.
Although a large bed is placed in the room, there is still enough space for a wheelchair user to move around. A wheelchair user often gets caught on the edge of a bed in a standard-sized room. This bed is a Simmons known for its luxury and we found it very comfortable. However, the bed was so high that I found it hard to transfer from my wheelchair to the bed.
The wheelchair accessible room in Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa International
Let’s take a look at the bathroom which I was interested in. Wow, it is spacious, too!
The bathroom of the wheelchair accessible room
There are no steps at the entrance. I was able to go to the washstand in a wheelchair.
The entrance of the bathroom
Some space is on the right side of the bathtub. I would be able to enter the bathtub by sitting on the space.
The bathtub
The toilet seat is well-equipped with a backrest and bidet functions.
The toilet seat in the bathroom
We also had a look at the multipurpose restroom at the reception. It is clean and more spacious than the bathroom of the wheelchair accessible room. Moreover, there is a washstand for Islamic people to wash some parts of their body before worship. It looks cosmopolitan.
The multipurpose restroom in the public space of the reception
You can book the wheelchair accessible room by phone.
After we left the hotel, our final stop was Ueno via Tokyo Metro.
An elevator in Ueno Station
We wrapped up this field work with taking commemorative photos in front of the National Museum of Western Art which will be registered soon as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
We took the commemorative photo in front of the National Museum of Western Art.
Frankly, I often feel awkward in a group setting. Prior to the accessibility field work, I was not sure if I could take part in it without causing inconveniences to other members. But thanks to their support and willingness to accommodate my needs, the field work turned out to be an enjoyable experience.
