Disability Venues & Activities in Kumamoto

Mar 25, 2024

Disability Venues & Activities in Kumamoto

Disability access in Japan has improved greatly in recent times, whether that be making buildings more disability-friendly or providing opportunities for those with disabilities to engage with activities. However, there is still some way to go and many improvements to make in all parts of Japan to ensure that people with disabilities get the support needed to live fulfilling lives. Kumamoto is a prefecture that lacks the level of provision you’d find in major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. There are limited bespoke activities although accessible facilities are improving. Here is an overview of what you can find.

Disability-accessible Venues in Kumamoto

Japan has passed a law known as the “heartful building law” that encourages public facilities such as hospitals, shops, theaters and hotels to improve their disability access. Some grant funding is available for this, however the law stops short of making it a legal requirement for buildings to be fully accessible, for example wheelchair-friendly. This means that many venues continue to fall short of catering for disability needs. Some of the most disability-friendly places in Kumamoto include:

• Kumamoto Castle – is now fully wheelchair-accessible and there is also a tourist minibus running from the castle that can accommodate wheelchairs.
• Suizenji Park – the trails and paths in the park have been made fully accessible, and the onsite souvenir shop can accommodate wheelchairs.
• Mount Aso – the volcano caldera has route paths wide and smooth enough for wheelchair access although they are steep so may require some push.
• Yume Ootsuribashi Bridge – this suspension bridge is one of the longest and highest suspension bridges in Japan. It’s in the neighbouring Oita prefecture but has full wheelchair access and is a great spot for those with disabilities to take in the wonders of nature.

Sports Facilities for People with Disabilities

Since Japan hosted the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, there has been a spotlight on disability sports across Japan. Resources are still some way behind those in countries such as the US and the UK but more and more sports centers and gymnasiums now are equipped with fully disability-access, with some putting on tailored sessions such as wheelchair basketball, archery, table tennis or rugby. Although there are no established disability sports teams or clubs in Kumamoto, some of the prefectural facilities occasionally run classes. You can contact the Kumamoto Prefectural Sports Association for up-to-date information. You can also use the Find My Parasport tool to search for suitable activities in your area.

Special Needs Schools in Kumamoto

Parents of children with disabilities or special educational needs (SEN) can choose to enroll them in mainstream education or a SEN school designed for those with additional or complex needs. The two main SEN facilities in the Kumamoto prefecture are:

• Kagayakinomori School for Special Needs Education – facility for children with physical, intellectual and multiple disabilities including severe needs. Specially trained staff are on hand to provide care. The school is equipped with special learning materials, a playroom, library, gymnasium and a heated indoor pool.
• Amakusa Special Needs School – community school for children with additional intellectual needs providing a supported learning environment to help pupils better integrate into society.

Support Groups and Organizations

Although there is limited support in terms of social groups or networks at the local or prefectural level for those in Kumamoto with disabilities, you can access support and information from nationwide organizations including:

• Autism Society Japan
• Disabilty Information Resources (DINF)
• Japanese Society for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (JSRPD)
• Japanese Para Sports Association (JPSA)

You can also check for up-to-date information on the Kumamoto Prefectural Website.

Australian Paralympic Committee, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons