Japan - Meiji Shrine/Tsukiji Market/Kyoto

I'm going to Japan in 2 weeks. 1st time. I have a few questions.

I'm going with my father who cannot walk long distances. Is it better to take a taxi from hotel directly to Meiji Shrine or can I get a taxi at the Harajuku station? I heard the walk from the station is 20 minutes to the shrine so it would be about 1 mile which is quite a distance for him

The Tsukiji Fish Markets starts registration for the tuna auction at 5 AM. How early do I need to be there to insure that I am one of the 120 people allowed in, 4 AM? How much time via Taxi from Keio Plaza in Shinjuku?

Lastly, is it better to take a tour in Kyoto or are most the attractions, Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu Temple, Kinakakuji Temple, Sanjusangendo Temple, easily accessible by taxi. I will have 1 1/2 days.

The walk from the station to Meiji Shrine is perhaps 20 minutes, but as I recall, it's strictly a footpath. At least I've always walked from Harajuku Station through the park-like area to the shrine. Others who have been there more recently may correct this impression.

Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji, and Sanjuusangendo should all be accessible by taxi, as they are on flat ground, although there is some walking to get from the entrance of Kinkakuji to the actual temple. Kiyomizudera is built into the side of a mountain, and I have always walked up a winding street. I honestly don't remember whether there is motorized access.

I haven't done the fish auction, so I can't comment on taking a taxi from the Keio Plaza to Tsukiji. But the streets should be fairly empty at that hour. The expense (higher fares in the wee hours, since the trains aren't yet running) would be more of a problem than the time.

I wonder if the concierges at the Keio Plaza and your Kyoto hotel could arrange for you to rent a folding wheelchair (having had experience with elderly relatives, I know that there are some fairly lightweight models) for places where walking is unavoidable.

IIWY, I'd skip Meiji Shrine. For easier (or cheaper) access from Narita and to Tsukiji and Kyoto, I'd go for a hotel at Tokyo Station or in the Ginza/Shiodome area rather than the Keio Plaza. For Kyoto, Kiyomizudera takes some walking uphill. Taxis can't take you all the way. You might consider asking Mr. Doi (http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~doitaxi//) to plan a tour for you with minimal walking.

And if it was me, I wouldn't skip Meiji shrine. Cars can get in there somehow since the temple offers a service of blessing them. I think the car entrance is on the side not far from Yoyogi station, but it is harder to find. Also, you may need to have a good story (in Japanese) to get through.

The Keio plaza is right next to the Oedo subway line which takes you close to Tsukiji. If anything, I'd take the first subway and possibly a taxi from the closest station, Tsukijishijo.

And if it was me, I wouldn't skip Meiji shrine. Cars can get in there somehow since the temple offers a service of blessing them. I think the car entrance is on the side not far from Yoyogi station, but it is harder to find. Also, you may need to have a good story (in Japanese) to get through.
According to this website (http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/access/index.html) (in Japanese - sorry I haven't checked if there's an English version) cars can enter Meiji Shrine. Entrances are near Harajuku Station and Yoyogi Station, and marked with blue arrows on this map.

http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/img/access/naien.pdf

I've also found this Q&A (http://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q1476800294) in which a Tokyo taxi driver confirms that if you tell a guard at the gate where you want to go there shouldn't be any problem. However, you may have to call a taxi on the way back or ask (and pay) the driver to wait for you as it will not be possible to find a taxi once inside.

The map in English:

http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/english/map/1.html

Doesn't mention cars specifically, but I assume it is as the Japanese description states.

The Keio plaza is right next to the Oedo subway line which takes you close to Tsukiji. If anything, I'd take the first subway and possibly a taxi from the closest station, Tsukijishijo.
The Oedo subway line runs very deep underground and the OP's father may not find the escalators easy to manage. Some stations also involve a lot of walk to get to the platform. Tsukiji-shijo station is only about 150m from the main entrance to the fish market.

A taxi from the Keio Plaza to the market will cost about 4100-4200 yen including late night/early morning surcharges and highway tolls and takes about 20 minutes.

The Oedo subway line runs very deep underground and the OP's father may not find the escalators easy to manage.

http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/PROFILE/policy12.htm

"All stations of the Oedo Line are equipped with elevators to facilitate passenger movement between the ground level and underground platforms."

Harajuku station is right by the entrance to the shrine and it's about 300-400 meters walk. Zoom in on Google maps.

There is parking inside, which brings you about 100 meters from the shrine. But you see cabs and limos (for wedding parties) go closer and the linked map shows that these cars enter from the northern entrance rather than Harajuku. http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/english/map/1.html Note the green markings (for car traffic) with a loop right near the shrine. So if you want door-to-door service then explain this to the driver and take the northern entrance.

I find shrines and temples to be quite boring. The main thing of interest with this one is that you usually see a wedding party. It was built ca. 1920.

http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/PROFILE/policy12.htm

"All stations of the Oedo Line are equipped with elevators to facilitate passenger movement between the ground level and underground platforms."
Thanks. That's good to know. ^ However, just getting from the Keio Plaza to Tochomae station could be more than enough for the OP's father especially since he will have to walk once he gets to the fish market.

In any case the first Oedo line train from Tochomae leaves at 05:00 and does not arrive in Tsukiji-shijo until 05:22, so it will be too late for the tuna auction.　

"All stations of the Oedo Line are equipped with elevators to facilitate passenger movement between the ground level and underground platforms."

One reason the Oedo Line got a "good design" award was because it ticked all the boxes for disabled accessibility. However, there are quite long walks within stations between elevators and disabled access to the station is sometimes provided at inconvenient locations at street level ...

I remember a protest by people with disabilities at my local Oedo line station on the anniversary of its opening because the end of the station that most people were interested in reaching had a flight of four steps between a ramp (which was ideal for wheelchair users) and the elevator. The other end of the station had full disabled access via elevators but using them required people to move several hundred meters underground and then deal with an obstacle course at street level to get anywhere. So the "full" disabled access isn't all it's cracked up to be.

I also have the feeling that the accessibility measures on the subway, in general, are designed with wheelchair users in mind rather than for people who walk with difficulty. For example, staircases that feature stair lifts and escalators that can transform into a platform for wheelchairs are operated by staff (on request) in many places, but they offer little benefit to people who walk slowly and with difficulty. Perhaps I'm mistaken on that count. One thing I know with certainty is that it's very hard to imagine things from the perspective of a disabled person.

I've parked in Meiji Shrine at least a hundred times, but it only gets to within 500 meters of the shrine. Still a pretty good walk.

There is plenty to see at Tsukiji without the tuna auction. In my mind they extremely imperious about the whole process considering that it is a taxpayer funded venue. They ought to chuck the whole lot out and make them find some other place to do business.

Harajuku station is right by the entrance to the shrine and it's about 300-400 meters walk. Zoom in on Google maps.
(snip)

I find shrines and temples to be quite boring. The main thing of interest with this one is that you usually see a wedding party. It was built ca. 1920.

If the OP has never been to Japan before, seeing one shrine won't kill him, especially if he's interested in observing what happens at them.

one reason the oedo line got a "good design" award was because it ticked all the boxes for disabled accessibility. However, there are quite long walks within stations between elevators and disabled access to the station is sometimes provided at inconvenient locations at street level ...

I remember a protest by people with disabilities at my local oedo line station on the anniversary of its opening because the end of the station that most people were interested in reaching had a flight of four steps between a ramp (which was ideal for wheelchair users) and the elevator. The other end of the station had full disabled access via elevators but using them required people to move several hundred meters underground and then deal with an obstacle course at street level to get anywhere. So the "full" disabled access isn't all it's cracked up to be.

I also have the feeling that the accessibility measures on the subway, in general, are designed with wheelchair users in mind rather than for people who walk with difficulty. For example, staircases that feature stair lifts and escalators that can transform into a platform for wheelchairs are operated by staff (on request) in many places, but they offer little benefit to people who walk slowly and with difficulty. Perhaps i'm mistaken on that count. One thing i know with certainty is that it's very hard to imagine things from the perspective of a disabled person.
(sorry - cant disable the caps lock function on this japanese computer)
i mostly agree with the above, but having visited japan as a wheelchair user and as a convalescent who could only walk with difficulty - am recovered now but am currently pushing a daughter around in a stroller - i am not sure how much `in mind` the designers had wheelchair users as the extra distances needed to use elevators rather than stairs can be considerable. Without upperbody strength and stamina and thick callouses (or a hefty motor for a motorised wheelchair) a wheelchair user would find the distances exhausting.
On the other hand, the accessibility is surprisingly good. Perhaps one of the best cities in the world for a wheelchair bound non-driver (it knocks the socks of london). But tokyo is also a very, very difficult place to be if walking distances is a problem.
Unless your father is too proud to do so, you might want to think of your visit to tokyo in the same way you would a transit through a large airport and borrow or hire a wheelchair so you can push him around with comparative ease.
Remember also that the energy consumption measures mean that many escalators are not being turned on which may mean more stairs to negotiate at unexpected locations - or that extra long walk to the elevator alternative.

i am not sure how much `in mind` the designers had wheelchair users as the extra distances needed to use elevators rather than stairs can be considerable. Without upperbody strength and stamina and thick callouses (or a hefty motor for a motorised wheelchair) a wheelchair user would find the distances exhausting.

It seems my post is guilty of similar lazy assumptions to those the architects made. I should revise my comments to just say that the architects didn't think it was a design flaw to require elevator users to propel themselves for long distances between elevators (generally at least three to get from platform level to the surface). While that might work for paralympic marathon atheletes, motorized chair users and wheelchair users who are being pushed, it leaves a lot of people uncatered for.

So what time should I arrive the Tsukiji Market for 5 AM registration, 4AM ? has anybody every done this?

So what time should I arrive the Tsukiji Market for 5 AM registration, 4AM ? has anybody every done this?

Search on Tsukiji and you'll find several threads. Here's one:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan/1087939-tsukiji-fish-market-140-person-limit-may-10-2010-a.html

It seems my post is guilty of similar lazy assumptions to those the architects made. I should revise my comments to just say that the architects didn't think it was a design flaw to require elevator users to propel themselves for long distances between elevators (generally at least three to get from platform level to the surface). While that might work for paralympic marathon atheletes, motorized chair users and wheelchair users who are being pushed, it leaves a lot of people uncatered for.
Should mention, however, that the problems that both jib71 and I recognise as flaws aren´t insurmountable in a city with `surplus` personnel. I don´t know how it works for others as I was lucky enough to have a fit and able pusher indentured to me under marriage contract, but my impression is that one can contact the metro (slash) rail stations in advance to have an employee greet you and run you through all those zig zagging kms. Staff at the destination station are alerted and there´s a similar reception service at the other end.
Which must be rather frustrating for those who prefer independence (and those who can´t communicate for themselves effectively). But at least the option is there... until the economy changes and the spare bodies dry up.

So what time should I arrive the Tsukiji Market for 5 AM registration, 4AM ? has anybody every done this?

Hi Tony!

I visited Japan in November last year, and visited the Tsukiji Fish Market. From what my guide told me back then, 4:30am is generally a pretty safe timing. Personally, I got to the information centre at 5:45am and still managed to get in for the 2nd tuna auction session. ;)

I stayed in Shinjuku too, but was at Sunroute Plaza. The only transport that early in the morning was taxi, and we got the hotel to call one for us. Took about 15-minutes to get to Tsukiji.

You mentioned that your dad can't walk long distances - do take care inside Tsukiji fish market, as the floor can be pretty wet and slippery with all the ice and blood etc. I, myself, slipped and fell one. Get good shoes!!

Personally, I found the tuna auction a little bit underwhelming as I had a local guide and started my tour at 4am.. Tsukiji Fish Market is much, much more that just the Tuna Auction!

This is actually my first post here, and I'm not sure of the rules regarding posting of links. I did a detailed write-up at my blog, not sure if you might be interested : http://piggeeks.net/feng/index.php/tokyo-japan-tsukiji-fish-market-tokyo-tower/ :)

While I've never attended the actual tuna auction, I have taken students to the fish market, and the main attraction there was seeing the immense variety of seafood that is eaten in Japan. (It reminded me of the line spoken by Jimmy Stewart's foreign correspondent character in Rear Window: "I've eaten things you wouldn't want to look at when they were alive.")

The floor could be hazardous to someone with difficulty walking. That's why my suggestion of a lightweight folding wheelchair may make sense in this case.

So what time should I arrive the Tsukiji Market for 5 AM registration, 4AM ? has anybody every done this?

We arrived at the market at 4:50 AM and were in the first group. Concierge at the Westin recommended we get there at 5AM. We took a taxi there and came back to our hotel on the subway.

thanks for the tips everybody! Just came back from Japan last night and it was a great experience. I arrived at 4:30 AM for the Fish Market and was in the 2nd group from 5:50 AM to 6:05 AM. People who arrived around 5 AM were turned away