ACCESS TO THE HISTORICAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE IN JAPANHIDETO KIJIMA
Japan Accessible Tourism Center / Osaka, Japan
mail@japan-accessible.com

SUMMARY
Today the concerning about accessible tourism in Japan changed for thebetter. Making it accessible is one of the most important issues in each tourist
spot. Historical and natural heritage are impossible to improve, they thought.
However some of them made great efforts and now it changed wheelchair
accessible. We must keep them originally. Otherwise the interest and value ofthem are lost, if the facility became accessible. How can we keep its originallandscape ? We want to share Japanese ideas and examples.
Making the access road to historical heritage for wheelchair or mobility
impairment seems not so difficult. In many cases, they have a special road for
VIP or road for fire truck. The roads are hidden on backyard and closed topublic. Today they open for wheelchair guests. The accessibility of enter ing
and watching the historical heritage is different in each place. Buy very famous
heritage tend to change it accessible even if they break some historicalbuilding. They decided the accessibility ( publicness ) is more important. Many
people come means that many person with disability come.
Wooden board walk is one of nice ideas for the access to natural heritage. It isuniversal design. Kind for everybody ( wheelchair, baby baggy, elderly,children, and environment ) and safety. But we cannot change a ll the nature. If
do so, the nature changes not nature. The accessible facility and service arejust for beginner. It is impossible to change all accessible in natural heritage.
Many routes mean good accessibility. Guests may choose the way in theirlevel. Beginner route should be accessible at least.

Key Words:accessible tourism; heritage; wheelchair access; rebuilding; Aging society

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
It is often said that wheelchair accessibility is impossible because of oldbuildings and heritage. But here are some success examples.

METHODS
The researches were done by manual wheelchair users. 8 heritage cases( Osaka castle, Miyajima, Isumo shrine, Tokyo Asakusa Sensoji temple,
Nagano Zenkoji temple, Nara Yakushiji temple, Shiretoko five lakes,independence board walk, Nachi waterfall, Takayama old city). .

EXAMPLE
Osaka castle : was rebuilt using steel frame in 1931 after war age damage.
The lifts of inside castle were also made on that time, however there weremany stairs to enter the castle In 1997, new lift for wheelchair users andelderly was made beside the castle. Today, all can reach on the top floor.
Guests can use the lifts, but one way to the top. They are not allowed to use
go down. When wheelchair guests comes, the worker tell them the secret cordof button. Castle park are also full wheelchair friendly without any step. There
are many castles in Japan. Only Two castles (Osaka, Nagoya) are wheelchair
accessible. Both are restored castle last 100 years. The other castles are
made by woods and some keep originality. It is very difficult to rebuild andchange. Keeping tradition is important. This is a special case, but good case.

Miyajima : is one of the most popular tourist place in Japan. It is like floatingon the sea. There were stairs at entrance before. Today there is a ramp. The
sign board is quite kind for wheelchair guests because many shrines often arenot wheelchair accessible. Natural wooden ramps at gates do not destroy
beautiful historical heritage. The ramp is also available at exit. Fortunately
inside shrine is very flat and ground floor only.

Izumo shrine : is the oldest shrine in Japan. Originally many barriers forwheelchair, but today it changed accessible. Only stairs to the sacred place.
There are many ramps and boards naturally. Sounding gravel road changed
partly smooth. They tried to keep landscape.

Tokyo Asakusa Sensoji : is the most popular tourist spot for foreign tourist inToyo. Their lift of main temple is decorated the same deep red color and withthe same traditional tiled roof. Good design lift does not destroy landscape.

Nagano Zenkoji temple : Nagano Olympic and Paralympics game was heldin 1998. Zenkoji is the symbole of city. The temple did not want to make a ramp .
The compromise point is ramp made by wood and not put in front. This is thefirst case of historical temple made a ramp of their traditional main building.
Evaluation of the citizens was very good. Accessibility is not only people withdisability. Elderly and their family are also happy. After this case, other famous
historical temples changed their mind to think accessibility.

Nara Yakushiji temple : was selected UNESCO world heritage in 1998.
They changed wheelchair accessible, but their ramps seems not cool. Some
new facility destroyed landscape and traditional architecture. Also there aremany huge wheelchair sign. The ramps are not natural. They seem like ahospital or nursery home. Not good example. Sometime happen.

Shieretoko five lakes: are located east Hokkaido (north Japan). UNESCO
world natural heritage. Trekking around lakes in wood is main attraction. 2
trekking course. Green one is back country with guide. Red one is easy andwheelchair accessible. This wooden walk protects wild bears and deer. 2meter hight. 800 meter long, 3 viewing spots. Electric line with a high voltage.
Construction cost was 800 million yen (= 100 million US$). 1 meter wooden
path costs 1 million US$. Many materials were brought by helicopter to protect
nature. Perfect facility, but too much construction cost.

Independence board walk : is accessible wooden path in nature. It costs
less than 1/10. Basically, the budget is from donation and volunteer work. Onewooden board (20cm*150cm) price is 500-1000yen (=10US$). The donor put
their message and put it by themselves. All materials are made by natural
products. Hundreds years late, they return to nature. The process of making
this path means education and event. Original idea is from Colorado, USA.
Everybody can walk and feel nature. If public authorities make a wooden path,they built high fence. Children and wheelchair users cannot enjoy seeing
around because the high fence interfere their sight. It is difficult to make a line
between safety and fun. These path are really exciting and adventurous

Nachi waterfall : is holly place since ancient time. 133m water fall and deep
forest. The approach is with many stairs. There is another secret route to thewater fall. Non-step, but we must go through the locked gate. This secret routeis also used by royal family and VIP. Many temples and shrine have a secretroute for VIP or car access. However the information is hidden. No sign here
Nachi waterfall. A kind local taxi driver taught us the secret gate. Changing
main approach is not easy because of historical heritage. However, if they
have a wheelchair accessible route, please open it. Information is important.

Takayama old city : is famous for its accessibility and hospitality, locateddeep mountain area. Typical Japanese traditional houses still remain. The citywelcome over sea tourist, guests with disabilities and elderly. They get ideas
and opinions from monitor system. There are many bench for elderly andpublic toilets with wheelchair bigger one. in old city. Also no cars in day time.
In Japan, prohibiting cars out from city center is very difficult. Takayama city israre case and they succeed to be a popular tourist city. All the shops put their
original wood or stone board on ditch. They try making accessible as possible
as they can.

DISCUSSION
How do we keep their original architecture and landscape ? The balance
between originality and accessibility is not easy, but many ways.

CONCLUSION
It was often said that historical and natural heritage were not possible torebuild wheelchair accessible. However the thinking changed. We have many
good examples today in Japan. Each place has each solution to protect
heritage. Yes it is possible.
Accessibility is one of customer service. Thinking about accessibility lifts up
the whole customer service level. Accessibility is essential minimum
guaranteed today. All the people should be able to access heritage aspossible.

REFERENCES
Japan Accessible Tourism Center
http://www.japan-accessible.com/