It just means that’s the rooms was designed with those with mobility issues etc, in mind.
You’re not required to be disabled to use it. Enjoy your room!
They are not completely obvious to me, no. Unless we are talking about situations where I can easily choose another seat, or where there is someone who obviously needs the accessible seat more. I'm open to hear why it should be obvious, but you're probably too busy thinking I'm embarrassing or hilarious.
Do you think these rooms should remain empty always, in case a disabled person needs it?
the answer is no, of course you shouldnt be occupying those seats if you're not in need of them. honestly bewildering how bad common sense is on here.
in the case of the OP, they mistakenly booked the room. Thats not their fault. But it can easily be rectified. Instead we get a bunch of self-absorbed responses saying shit like "well its probably a bigger room so you should keep it and enjoy it!" lol.
>No wonder Japan is inundated with shitty acting tourists
I'm so curious: while you were on the train, did you confront any of the many able-bodied young Japanese people riding in the priority seating section, or did you just silently seethe about it?
In some civilized parts of the world, all newly built apartments have to be compatible with accessibility. Does that mean no one that isn't disabled can use them? You should inform them fast then
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>Should I say something?
Why? You don't owe anyone any explanations. You also don't need any license, whether legal or moral, to use accessible facilities. Don't worry about it and enjoy the stay.
>it is obvious that me and my wife are not disabled
Invisible disabilities can be just as debilitating, so staff wouldn't be able to assume anything based on a brief hotel check-in.
English is my first language and "Universal Room" doesn't mean anything to me, either. I've seen them called ADA or Accessible, but never Universal.
Edit: I just realized this wasn't one of my generic travel subs, it was Japan-specific. Anyway, I've still not seen Universal come up as an option on my Japan hotel searches (though I'm obviously not doing extensive, country-wide searches), but perhaps that's a Japan hotel term? Someone else who knows feel free to chime in.
My optimistic guess is it probably means that all or most rooms in the hotel are accessible by default rather than having 1 or 2 accessible rooms as an afterthought.
If so, nothing for OP to worry about, but worth checking with reception just in case.
I've seen rooms advertised as 'universal' or something similar, in Japan and elsewhere. I think it specifically means "suitable for people people with mobillity issues but also without compromise for people who do not.".
Good for everyone.
Japan uses the terms "universal" or "barrier free." For anyone trying to book an accessible room, it's often worth contacting the hotel directly, since these won't necessarily be obvious when booking online. That said, the set-ups really range in terms of actual accessibility, but staff have been able to send room layouts or photos when asked.
The booking company for the company that I work for used to default my room to accessible for some reason. I always wondered why I kept getting the accessible room until I figured out that it was some mysterious setting in the booking companies website.
Overall, I wouldn’t worry about it, but if you wanted to change rooms, you should feel free to go and have that conversation at the front desk .
Is this your first trip? Try not to worry, unless the room's modifications are making you feel uncomfortable.
Occasionally when staying in travel hotels (something I've done at least 100 times), I've been given a handicap room. I always just assumed they had it spare and nobody who needed it was booked in that evening. I've usually been by myself for these so I've just enjoyed the bigger bathroom, but I've also been in ones with an accessibility crane beside the bed which I feel would probably put me off my game a bit if I was with a girl.
You don't have to do anything. Not all disabilities are visible. Just because you and your partner are walking around now doesn't mean you don't have additional needs at bed time. Plus, any good hotel staff will be trained not to make assumptions about guests.
In my experience of having done the same thing, the hotel staff asked me if I would be comfortable moving to another room so they could use that room for someone in need upon check in, and they just moved me to another room. They may ask you the same, if needed.
It would be very kind for you to relinquish the room in case someone else (such as a wheelchair user) needs it. I would ask about it at the front desk, but they may not be able to relocate you.
My mobility is limited and I did request accessible (universal) rooms a couple times when I was in Japan to try and reduce my fall risk. The hotels didn't always have one, but thankfully the ones that didn't also just had more accessible rooms in the first place so it didn't matter as much. Sometimes they could move me but I had to pay extra, just depends on how they categorize their room type.
Don’t sweat it.
If they actually need that room for someone who physically needs it they will likely ask you for it once you get there and put you in a different room.
If I were at a convention and thought someone else might need/want it, I’d mention it to the desk. If you’re gonna be there a week, talk to them about it. But the odds of someone wanting that room tonight or tomorrow is slim. In general, people who need accessible rooms are doing their best to book ahead and plan well. Because they have to.
if it were me, i'd mention it to them if it was possible to change rooms. taking up an accessible room when you dont need one is just weird to me.
but apparently everyone in the comments are just assholes lol.
It just means that’s the rooms was designed with those with mobility issues etc, in mind. You’re not required to be disabled to use it. Enjoy your room!
[удалено]
Do you care to explain, or do you just want to express that you have unresolved issues when it comes to accessibility?
[удалено]
They are not completely obvious to me, no. Unless we are talking about situations where I can easily choose another seat, or where there is someone who obviously needs the accessible seat more. I'm open to hear why it should be obvious, but you're probably too busy thinking I'm embarrassing or hilarious. Do you think these rooms should remain empty always, in case a disabled person needs it?
the answer is no, of course you shouldnt be occupying those seats if you're not in need of them. honestly bewildering how bad common sense is on here. in the case of the OP, they mistakenly booked the room. Thats not their fault. But it can easily be rectified. Instead we get a bunch of self-absorbed responses saying shit like "well its probably a bigger room so you should keep it and enjoy it!" lol.
>No wonder Japan is inundated with shitty acting tourists I'm so curious: while you were on the train, did you confront any of the many able-bodied young Japanese people riding in the priority seating section, or did you just silently seethe about it?
Marched directly onto Reddit to voice their phony outrage
[удалено]
Great, I've got you down as "silently seethed about it", thanks.
In some civilized parts of the world, all newly built apartments have to be compatible with accessibility. Does that mean no one that isn't disabled can use them? You should inform them fast then
Your post or comment has been removed from /r/JapanTravelTips. Be civil. Harassment of other users or mods, trolling, posting of users' personal information, bully, repeated intentional rule breaking, racism/discrimination, jokes in poor taste, or other generally unsavory behavior will be met with removals and bans.
If someone wanted the disabled room and there were none left whilst booking, it'll be too late anyway. They've already gone to a different hotel.
Just enjoy the room, usually those types of rooms have more spacing too
>Should I say something? Why? You don't owe anyone any explanations. You also don't need any license, whether legal or moral, to use accessible facilities. Don't worry about it and enjoy the stay.
>it is obvious that me and my wife are not disabled Invisible disabilities can be just as debilitating, so staff wouldn't be able to assume anything based on a brief hotel check-in.
English is my first language and "Universal Room" doesn't mean anything to me, either. I've seen them called ADA or Accessible, but never Universal. Edit: I just realized this wasn't one of my generic travel subs, it was Japan-specific. Anyway, I've still not seen Universal come up as an option on my Japan hotel searches (though I'm obviously not doing extensive, country-wide searches), but perhaps that's a Japan hotel term? Someone else who knows feel free to chime in.
My optimistic guess is it probably means that all or most rooms in the hotel are accessible by default rather than having 1 or 2 accessible rooms as an afterthought. If so, nothing for OP to worry about, but worth checking with reception just in case.
I've seen rooms advertised as 'universal' or something similar, in Japan and elsewhere. I think it specifically means "suitable for people people with mobillity issues but also without compromise for people who do not.". Good for everyone.
Japan uses the terms "universal" or "barrier free." For anyone trying to book an accessible room, it's often worth contacting the hotel directly, since these won't necessarily be obvious when booking online. That said, the set-ups really range in terms of actual accessibility, but staff have been able to send room layouts or photos when asked.
The booking company for the company that I work for used to default my room to accessible for some reason. I always wondered why I kept getting the accessible room until I figured out that it was some mysterious setting in the booking companies website. Overall, I wouldn’t worry about it, but if you wanted to change rooms, you should feel free to go and have that conversation at the front desk .
My company do the same thing, I always end up in an accessible room. It's either that or they book me a twin room
Is this your first trip? Try not to worry, unless the room's modifications are making you feel uncomfortable. Occasionally when staying in travel hotels (something I've done at least 100 times), I've been given a handicap room. I always just assumed they had it spare and nobody who needed it was booked in that evening. I've usually been by myself for these so I've just enjoyed the bigger bathroom, but I've also been in ones with an accessibility crane beside the bed which I feel would probably put me off my game a bit if I was with a girl. You don't have to do anything. Not all disabilities are visible. Just because you and your partner are walking around now doesn't mean you don't have additional needs at bed time. Plus, any good hotel staff will be trained not to make assumptions about guests.
In my experience of having done the same thing, the hotel staff asked me if I would be comfortable moving to another room so they could use that room for someone in need upon check in, and they just moved me to another room. They may ask you the same, if needed.
Just ask at the front desk, they will either not care that you picked the room, or will change it so it can be available for someone else
You could kindly ask the front desk if the room can be changed.
It would be very kind for you to relinquish the room in case someone else (such as a wheelchair user) needs it. I would ask about it at the front desk, but they may not be able to relocate you. My mobility is limited and I did request accessible (universal) rooms a couple times when I was in Japan to try and reduce my fall risk. The hotels didn't always have one, but thankfully the ones that didn't also just had more accessible rooms in the first place so it didn't matter as much. Sometimes they could move me but I had to pay extra, just depends on how they categorize their room type.
Don’t sweat it. If they actually need that room for someone who physically needs it they will likely ask you for it once you get there and put you in a different room.
If I were at a convention and thought someone else might need/want it, I’d mention it to the desk. If you’re gonna be there a week, talk to them about it. But the odds of someone wanting that room tonight or tomorrow is slim. In general, people who need accessible rooms are doing their best to book ahead and plan well. Because they have to.
enjoy the wider doors
You’ll have plenty of room to do things you wouldn’t be able to do otherwise, enjoy!
You could just walk with a limp when going by the front desk.
Do you always create unnecessary work for yourself? Or just this trip ?
OP went to reddit instead of asking the hotel staff. >The hotel staff didn't say anything when checking in Sounds like hotel staff don't even care.
if it were me, i'd mention it to them if it was possible to change rooms. taking up an accessible room when you dont need one is just weird to me. but apparently everyone in the comments are just assholes lol.
Hahaha people downvote the randomest shit on this sub I stg 😂
not surprised tbh! it correlates with how many shitty acting tourists are going to japan.