Visiting Japan with father who is a heart patient

I am planning on visiting Japan mid May 2009 with my father who has heart ailment. I do want to visit Kyoto for 2 days. Although my father is fit to travel I want to make sure that most of the spots in Kyoto do not require much of a trek uphill and there are not too many steps to climb up to the temples.

Once one you can tell me about this then I am sure I can take my father to Kyoto, I will have lots more questions to ask I am sure.

Thanks everyone

Visiting Japan with father who is a heart patient

I don%26#39;t want to discourage you but Kyoto is very unfriendly to handicapped, disabled, and patients with serious sickness. Though increasing number of public places such as train stations now are equipped with elevators and slopes or other facilities, still many older buildings and facilities only have steep stair ways and often you have to walk long way and uphills to get to the destinations.

Many temples unfortunately are located bit remote area from the center of the city and they are often located on the hill. Temples have least interest in investing facilities for handicaps and elderly.

Though I am sure your father will not have much difficulties getting around the city, you may want to take enough time to relax and rest when you move around the city. Climate in May should be quite pleasant. You may wanna search medical facilities around the city just for in case.

Just remember the number, 119 for fire rescue. Ambulance is free of charge here.

People here tend to move so fast, so don%26#39;t go with them, Take your time, relax, go easy. Enjoy your visit.

Visiting Japan with father who is a heart patient

If you%26#39;re in Tokyo, here%26#39;s an excellent hospital to keep in mind. ';Shin-ken'; in Nogizaka.

http://www.cvi.or.jp/english/index.html

In Kyoto, the #1 Red Cross hospital has a heart specialist. Kyoto Daichi Sekiju-ji Byouin.

Kiyomizu Temple has a long trek (not much of one for you and me, but might be a bit long and upwards for your father).

Compared to flatland LA, Japan in general will seem very hilly. Take your time.

All the best.

There are dozens of shrines, temples and gardens in Kyoto which require absolutely no uphill walking. Kyoto is surrounded by hills but most of the city itself is pancake flat. There are often a few wooden steps involved in visiting temples but rarely more than three or four in succession.

I am sure that you and your father will have a fantastic time.

Same thoughts here as LomdonBob%26#39;s. That said, you%26#39;d sometimes be tempted to wave down a cab. You may not pretty much facy getting a rickshaw in, say Kiyomizu/Arashiyama, but that%26#39;d be an option. Not sure if he%26#39;s still available, but I knew about an English speaking rickshawman by the name of Yasuei Fujiwara. Around here, rickshawmen are by and large a good tour guide for Japanese travelers. Besides, they are so energetic they don%26#39;t mind taking you down the steep cobble-stone stairs nearby Kiyomizu!

One place I recommend that has no steps or hills is the Kyoto Gosho,Imperial Palace with free English guided group tour that takes about one hour. You need to reserve.

sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/order/index_EN.html

Many temples %26amp; shrines including this Kyoto Imperial Palace, Tokyo Meiji Jingu, etc. have gravel walking surfaces. It is not easy even for me sometimes (slides)and I don%26#39;t think it is wheelchair friendly, either, if you are thinking about it(I am guessing the small front wheels could dig in). So walk slowly.

One more thing to keep with you. The emergency 24 hr nationwide toll free help line:

http://www.jhelp.com/en/jhlp.html

I would not be discouraged by the advice from the Golden Mango. True, it is hilly, but what would it look like if the historic stairs and walks were replaced with escalators? With more than 1,000 temples and shrines in Kyoto alone, you%26#39;ll find enough without a climb. Besides, a cab will drop you off as close to the entrance as you can get. From there, it%26#39;s all downhill.

Assume that your fathe%26#39;rs doctor has said OK for him to travel though with the United states penchant for suing, maybe the Doc said nothing as the safer option.

There are plenty of things worth seeing that don%26#39;t entail a lot of climbing. A few that have uphill climbs should still be OK providing he takes his time and moves at his own pace.

Suggest you ask your or his family doctor as to his ability to travel.

Cheers.

What you said here is true for tourists, but not true for those who live daily life here. I am sick%26#39;n tired of those temples and Buddhist monks who are nothing but money hungry.

If you plan to visit a castle, only castle I know with elevator is in Nagoya(rebuilt). It is still good.

One more thing is that you may try to avoid ryokan type tatami floor for futon bed. It is a struggle to get up sometimes especially in the middle of a night. Some places have western bed(s) with tatami floors and table.