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 main information desk.
The number of guidebooks is limited.

Tactile model of the Main Hall

By touching the tactile model, visitors can feel and gain understanding of the auditorium space of the Main Hall and its layout shown at 1/70 of its actual size. The model is located in the Main Hall foyer.
All are free to touch the model during Main Hall performances.

Tactile model of the Recital Hall

By touching the tactile model, visitors can feel and gain understanding 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.

View the flyer about the tactile model of the Recital Hall (PDF in Japanese)

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 main information desk)

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)

Visual assistive devices (RETISSA ON HAND) are available at the Music Library.
They are also available at select performances.
* Please note, rentals are limited to individuals aged 18 or over, but the device itself has no age limit for use.
For more details on 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.

Calm-down spaces (Main Hall and Recital Hall)

These spaces are available for select performances for those who feel overwhelmed from lights, sound, or other stimuli during performances.

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.

Sensory tools (for select performances)

Sensory tools to help regulation by touch or view. Available at select performances. Numbers are 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 first 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 (main information desk)

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.

Written communication available (main information desk and for select performances)

Writing tablets are available for communicating with receptionists.

Pointing communication sheets (main information desk and for select performances)

Pointing communication sheets are available for communicating with receptionists.

Remote Japanese Sign Language interpretation (main information desk)

Communication with transparent display (main information desk)

The transparent display converts speech into text in real time, showing captions and translations in multiple languages, enabling users to communicate with receptionists.
Available in 17 languages. This service is available from 10AM to 6PM.

Facility guides using captioning tablets (main information desk, 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 first 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 main information desk.

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.

Cane holders (multipurpose restrooms, ticket booths at the Main Hall and Recital Hall, and main information desk)

Visitors can place their canes or umbrellas in the holders in restrooms and countertops. The rubber grip secures canes and umbrellas from falling.

Emergency preparedness for all

Safety measures for medical emergencies and disasters such as earthquakes and fires

AED and emergency privacy tent (inside the building)

AED (automated external defibrillator) is a medical device that treats sudden cardiac arrest caused by irregular heartbeats. It delivers an electric shock to restore a normal heart rhythm. Anyone can use this life-saving device by following the audio and visual guides.
There are 7 units available throughout the building.
A privacy tent is available to protect the patient's privacy while using the AED.

Fabric stretcher (inside the building)

In case of an emergency, the fabric stretcher is used to help people who have difficulty moving on their own.
It is located in the same place as the AEDs.

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)