Accessible directions using public transportation

Accessible routes to Tokyo Bunka Kaikan for people with visual impairments or wheelchair users

Learn more

Accessibility features within the building

We offer various accessible guides, including: Japanese Sign Language, easy Japanese, tactile models with Braille, and tactile floor plans.

Facility introduction in Japanese Sign Language (with audio guide and Japanese subtitles)

The video introduces Tokyo Bunka Kaikan’s building, its facilities and locations, as well as its unique charm.
With audio guide and Japanese subtitles.

Accessibility Guide to Tokyo Bunka Kaikan

This leaflet contains accessibility information about the building and location of the facilities for people with disabilities, older people, and stroller users. The English version is available in print and PDF.

View Accessibility Guide to Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (PDF in English)

Guide to Tokyo Bunka Kaikan in Easy Japanese and English

This illustrated leaflet introduces the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan building and its facilities in easy Japanese and plain English.
Audio barcode is provided on the leaflet for listening to the information in Japanese on smartphones. The audio barcode is currently available in Japanese only.
* Easy Japanese is a simplified form of Japanese.

View Guide to Tokyo Bunka Kaikan in Easy Japanese and English in PDF

Braille guidebook with tactile images

This Japanese Braille guidebook is an introduction to the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan. It includes tactile images of the Main Hall and the Recital Hall.
Any visitor can use this guidebook at the information counter in the entrance lobby.
The number of guidebooks is limited.

Tactile model of the Recital Hall

By touching the tactile model, visitors can feel and get a sense of the Recital Hall and its layout. The model is about 1/45 of its actual size. It is located in the foyer of the Recital Hall.
All are free to touch the model during performances at the Recital Hall.

Services available for performances

Our accessibility services for attending performances include accessible information, various assistive systems, and device loans—all free of charge. If you would like to use them, please feel free to ask our staff members.

Reading strips (for loan at the Music Library)

Reading strips are assistive tools that help users follow the lines of musical documents by highlighting them in colors that suit their vision. They are available in 8 colors.
The strips help users focus more easily on a single line by blocking out the surrounding lines.

Bar magnifiers (for loan at the Music Library and entrance lobby information counter)

Bar magnifiers enlarge text and musical scores to twice their original size, making them easier to read. Available in 2 colors.

Laser retinal projection visual aid (for loan at the Music Library and select performances)

We loan visual assistive device RETISSA ON HAND for visitors.
The devices are available anytime at the Music Library. They are also available during select performances. For details of RETISSA ON HAND, please refer to the manufacturer, QD Laser, Inc.’s official webpage as linked below.
QD Laser’s official webpage: How to use RETISSA ON HAND (The following link is an external website. https://retissa.biz/usr/onhand.html ) The linked webpage is only in Japanese. English subtitles are available for the video on the webpage.

Sensory earmuffs (for loan at the Main Hall and Recital Hall)

Sensory earmuffs are hearing protection devices in the form of headphones.
We loan them at performances.
The number of devices is limited.

Booster cushions (for loan at the Main Hall and Recital Hall)

Booster cushions are for guests less than 120cm in height, or for those who are in need of posture support.
We loan one cushion per person. The number of cushions is limited.

Wheelchair accessible seats (Main Hall and Recital Hall)

There are 14 wheelchair-accessible seats available on the 1st floor in the Main Hall, and 4 in the Recital Hall.
Please contact the performance organizer when you purchase your tickets.
Our staff members will assist you to your wheelchair accessible seat.
* There are no elevators or escalators in the halls.

Hearing loop (installed at the Main Hall and Recital Hall)

A hearing loop is an assistive system that helps users hear clearly through hearing aids or cochlear implants. (Magnetic induction coils installed in those hearing aid devices interact with the hearing loop.)
A hearing loop is available at select performances.

Japanese Sign Language interpretation (for select performances)

Japanese Sign Language is provided for certain performances.

Captioning tablets (for select performances)

Captioning tablets are available for select performances. The tablets display events occurring on stage in text format. These are offered free of charge.

Performance music setlist in Japanese Braille (for select performances)

Japanese Braille performance music setlists are distributed at certain performances.

Inclusive communication

We offer communication support tools for visitors to interact comfortably with our receptionists and ushers.

Japanese Sign Language staff (information counter in entrance lobby)

We have staff members certified at Level 5 or above in the Zenkoku Shuwa Kentei (Japanese Sign Language Test), qualified with basic skills such as giving a simple self-introduction in sign language.

Communication in writing (information counter in entrance lobby)

Writing tablets are available for communicating with receptionists.

Remote Japanese Sign Language interpretation (information counter in entrance lobby)

Facility guides using captioning tablets (information counter in entrance lobby, Main Hall, and Recital Hall)

Our staff members use captioning tablets to respond to visitor inquiries.
UDTalk is also available.
* UDTalk is a communication application which displays spoken words as text.

Accessible mobility

In addition to the above services, the following accessible facilities are available in the building.

Parking spaces for wheelchair users

There are a limited number of parking spaces available for wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility. Parking spaces for visitors with reduced mobility are free of charge.
Please contact us by telephone beforehand if you wish to use them. (Call at +81-3-3828-2111)

Wheelchair loans

Wheelchair loans are available for use in the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan building. Wheelchairs are available free of charge.
Please call the following telephone number to book a wheelchair before your visit. (Call at +81-3-3828-2111)
The number of wheelchairs is limited.

Assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities

Visitors are welcome to bring their assistance dogs.

Multipurpose restrooms (entrance lobby)

There are two multipurpose restrooms in the entrance hall on the 1st floor. One is designed for users with right-sided paralysis, and the other for those with left-sided paralysis.
There is a diaper-changing table, a self-flushing sink for ostomates, and a wall-mounted baby chair.
The restrooms are accessible for all, including wheelchair users.

Tactile paving (entrance lobby)

Tactile paving is installed between the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan entrance facing JR Ueno station and information counter in the entrance lobby.

Elevator (entrance lobby)

The elevator in the first-floor entrance lobby takes visitors to the restaurant on the second floor, and the Music Library on the fourth floor.
There are no elevators or escalators in the halls.

Emergency preparedness for all

Emergency preparedness in case of disasters such as earthquakes and fires

Excel Chair (Main Hall)

In the event of an earthquake or fire, our staff will use the Excel Chair to evacuate disabled individuals down stairs.

Disaster signal flags

In the event of an earthquake or fire, our staff will use these flags to guide visitors to safety.

Emergency information flyer

This flyer contains information on how to evacuate during an earthquake or fire.
Audio barcode is provided on the leaflet for listening to the information in Japanese on smartphones. The audio barcode is currently available in Japanese only. The English version is available in print and PDF.
* Easy Japanese is simplified form of Japanese.

Emergency information flyer (PDF in Japanese and English)