Accessible Japan
Accessible Japan is an English-language online platform and content directory that helps international travelers with disabilities plan barrier-free trips to Japan by connecting them to vetted accessible hotels, attractions, transportation, tours, and medical companion services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Accessible Japan does
Accessible Japan is an English-language online information platform that serves as a comprehensive directory and guide for barrier-free travel in Japan, targeting international travelers with disabilities and connecting them to accessible hotels, attractions, transportation, tours, and medical companion services. Founded in 2015 by Canadian-born disability advocate Josh Grisdale and operated under the US-incorporated legal entity tabiLabs Inc. (headquartered in Tokyo), the platform combines a long-form editorial content library with structured searchable databases covering accessible hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and other regions; wheelchair-accessible attractions; transportation modes including trains, Shinkansen, buses, taxis, and airport transfers; and specialized resources such as accessible toilet locations, disability-discount guides, equipment rentals, and Japanese disability phrases. The technical stack is a content-driven website with built-in accessibility-of-interface tools (text resizing, grayscale, high contrast, negative contrast, links underline, readable font) and integration with the third-party UDCast smartphone app for sign language and high-contrast captioning at partner attractions.
The business operates as a curated content and discovery layer that funnels demand into a network of vetted Japanese service providers rather than capturing transactions directly. Revenue is generated through affiliate referrals to global OTAs (Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda) and specialized accessible-travel agencies (Flat Travel, Ohayo Travel, TokudAw, Japan Sign Travel, Hiroshima Bespoke Journeys), supplemented by partner listings, advertising, and sponsored newsletter placements, alongside a small Tokyo Guidebook sold via Amazon. Accessibility taxi partners (Wilgo in Tokyo, BridgeMAIT in Yokohama, ARIGATO in Hiroshima) and the Joyful Journey medical-nurse companion service are featured prominently but monetized at the partner level. Distribution runs through the website, an email newsletter ("The Access Dispatch"), an active presence across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Threads, and Bluesky, the tabifolk community (shared ownership with tabiLabs Inc.), and earned media coverage from BBC News, NHK World, and Asahi Shimbun. The platform reports approximately 140,000 annual visitors viewing around 500,000 pages, with a January 2026 Travel Agent Hub launch extending the platform toward a more structured tour-operator marketplace.
Accessible Japan firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Accessible Japan
- Legal name
- tabiLabs Inc.
- Website
- https://accessible-japan.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Accessible Japan is an English-language online platform and content directory that helps international travelers with disabilities plan barrier-free trips to Japan by connecting them to vetted accessible hotels, attractions, transportation, tours, and medical companion services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Accessible Japan industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Accessible Travel Information Platform
- NAICS
- Other Support Activities for Transportation (4889), Special Needs Transportation (485991)
- SIC
- Transportation Services (4700), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accessible & Special-Needs Itinerary Planning (THAKAOAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Special Needs & Accessible Travel Services (Local DMC) (THAKAEAL), Accessible / Wheelchair-Accessible Taxi & Chauffeur (THADAEAK), Accessible (ADA) & Special-Needs Group Charters (THAIAIAK), Accessible & Mobility-Friendly Rentals (THAGANAK)
Keywords
Where Accessible Japan is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Markets served
Accessible Japan business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations
Revenue model
- Affiliate/Referral Revenue: Accessible Japan earns commissions through referral partnerships with listed hotels, travel agencies, and tour operators. The site promotes booking platforms like Expedia, Booking.com, and Agoda for partner hotels, and promotes services like Flat Travel for accessible room bookings.
- Partner Listings and Advertising: Hotels, attractions, and tour operators can pay for listings, advertising (banners, sponsored content, newsletters), and featured placements on the platform.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Joyful Journey - Daytime Support |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Joyful Journey - Nighttime Support |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Wilgo - Distance-Based Fare |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Wilgo - Hourly Fare (Downtown Tokyo) |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | ARIGATO Hiroshima - Hourly Charter |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | BridgeMAIT Yokohama - Transfer Fares |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Accessible Japan product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Accessible Japan operates an online information platform that provides verified accessibility details on barrier-free hotels, transportation, attractions, tours, and related services for travelers with disabilities visiting Japan. The platform functions as an information marketplace and directory connecting disabled travelers with vetted accessible travel service providers across the country. It also distributes a Tokyo guidebook via Amazon and provides curated day tours and food tours through partner operators.
Product overview
Accessible Japan is a comprehensive online information platform serving as a one-stop resource for barrier-free travel in Japan. The platform operates through its core website offering searchable databases of accessible hotels, attractions, transportation options, and vetted tour services. Key products include the Travel Agent Hub directory (connecting travelers to accessible tour operators), the Tokyo Guidebook (sold as a physical book), Day Tours and Food Tours (curated accessible experiences), and the Joyful Journey medical companion service. The ecosystem also includes partner wheelchair taxi services (BridgeMAIT in Yokohama, Wilgo in Tokyo, ARIGATO in Hiroshima), equipment rental information, and the tabifolk online community. The platform functions primarily as an information aggregator and directory rather than a booking engine, helping travelers plan accessible trips and connecting them with service providers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Accessible Japan Website Platform Comprehensive online information platform providing barrier-free travel guidance for Japan, connecting travelers with disabilities to accessible hotels, attractions, transportation, tours, and travel services through searchable databases and curated content.
- Travel Agent Hub Directory connecting travelers with disabilities to vetted accessible tour operators offering services for wheelchair users and Deaf travelers across Japan, including agencies such as Flat Travel, Ohayo Travel Corporation, TokudAw Inc., Japan Sign Travel, and Hiroshima Bespoke Journeys with lift-equipped vehicles and sign language interpretation.
- Tokyo Guidebook Guidebook product sold through Amazon providing detailed accessibility information for Tokyo travel.
- Day Tours
- Food Tours
- Joyful Journey Medical Travel Companions
- Accessible Hotels Database
- Accessible Attractions Database
- Accessible Transportation Guide
- Wilgo Accessible Taxi
- BridgeMAIT Wheelchair Taxi
- Hiroshima ARIGATO Wheelchair Taxi English-speaking wheelchair-accessible taxi service in Hiroshima with standard rate ¥7,200 per hour, half-day tour (5 hours) ¥36,000, full-day tour (8 hours) ¥57,600, and ¥3,600 per additional 30 minutes, covering Hiroshima Prefecture, airports, and cruise ports.
- Partner Collaboration Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 140,000+ annual visitors from US, Australia, Thailand, Canada and other countries planning accessible Japan trips
Companies that use Accessible Japan
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Accessible Japan technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Accessible Japan partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Flat TravelcoreNationwide accessible travel agency specializing in wheelchair-accessible vacation packages. Helps travelers book accessible rooms at hotels that only accept phone reservations, arranges lift-equipped vehicles, and coordinates day tours. Flat Travel is promoted on Accessible Japan as a key partner for complete accessible travel planning.
- Ohayo Travel CorporationcoreNationwide accessible travel agency offering custom itineraries for travelers with disabilities. Provides comprehensive travel planning services including accessible transportation and accommodations.
- Japan Sign TravelcoreSpecializes in tours for Deaf travelers with sign language interpretation services. Addresses the specific needs of Deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors to Japan.
- TokudAw Inc.coreNationwide accessible travel services for various disability needs, offering custom accessible travel solutions across Japan.
- Hiroshima Bespoke JourneyscoreRegional specialist for Hiroshima area accessible travel, providing custom itineraries and guided tours for visitors to Hiroshima and surrounding regions.
- Joyful JourneycoreMedical travel companion service providing Japan-licensed registered nurses who accompany travelers with medical needs throughout their Japan visit. Offers pre-trip planning, medical coordination, and 24-hour nursing support.
- WilgocoreAccessible taxi service operated by Odekake Office in Tokyo, providing wheelchair-accessible vehicles for airport transfers, hotel pickups, and sightseeing. Covers Tokyo Prefecture with long-distance options to Hakone and Fuji Five Lakes.
- BridgeMAITcoreWheelchair-accessible taxi and limousine company based in Yokohama, Kanagawa. Drivers trained in caregiving for passengers with physical disabilities. Provides airport transfers to Haneda and Narita, cruise port pickups, and sightseeing to Kamakura.
- ARIGATO HiroshimacoreEnglish-speaking wheelchair-accessible taxi service in Hiroshima, operated by owner-driver Yasufumi Kan. Opened June 2025, completed approximately 1,500 trips in first year for elderly and wheelchair users. Covers Hiroshima Prefecture, airports, and cruise ports.
- TabifolkminorOnline community platform dedicated to making global travel accessible to everyone. Accessible Japan leverages Tabifolk for community engagement, questions and answers, and sharing travel stories. Both platforms share common ownership by tabiLabs Inc.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Accessible Japan competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- WheelchairTravel.org: Accessible travel blog and resource site with destination reviews, hotel accessibility details, and affiliate links. Comparable content-led, SEO-driven accessible travel platform competing for the same disability-travel reader audience.
- Sage Traveling: Accessible travel agency and content platform specializing in European destinations for mobility-impaired travelers. Combines detailed accessibility guides with bookable accessible tours — functionally similar to Accessible Japan's travel-agent-plus-content offering, just focused on Europe.
- Wheel the World: Online marketplace and content platform for travelers with disabilities, offering vetted accessible accommodations, tours, and activities globally. Operates a very similar business model (curated listings, partner network, content-led demand generation) to Accessible Japan, but at global scale rather than Japan-only.
- Curb Free with Cory Lee: Long-running personal blog and resource site on wheelchair-accessible travel worldwide, with affiliate revenue and destination guides. Closely analogous to Accessible Japan's founder-led content/marketing approach.
- iAccess Life: Accessibility-focused community and content platform covering travel, lifestyle, and resources for people with disabilities. Overlaps with Accessible Japan on disability lifestyle content and travel planning.
- Traveling Abilities: Accessible travel blog featuring destination guides, equipment reviews, and travel tips for travelers with disabilities. Similar SEO-driven content model targeting the same accessible-travel planning audience.
Broad incumbents
- Lonely Planet: Global travel guide publisher with destination content, including accessible-travel sections and partner bookings. A potential threat and incumbent partner for accessibility information at much broader scale.
- Booking.com: Global OTA with accessibility filters for wheelchair-accessible rooms, currently one of Accessible Japan's affiliate referral partners. Represents both the dominant distribution channel and a competitive threat if it deepens accessibility content.
- Airbnb: Global accommodations marketplace offering accessible-stay filtering features (step-free, wide doorways, etc.). Competes with Accessible Japan's hotel directory and has the scale to absorb accessibility content.
Regional players
- Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO): Official Japan tourism board providing destination content including accessibility information. A potential B2B partner but also a competitor for authoritative Japan travel content aimed at international visitors.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Accessible Japan social profiles
Digital presenceAccessible Japan financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Accessible Japan leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Accessible Japan funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Accessible Japan M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Accessible Japan
What does Accessible Japan do?
Accessible Japan operates an online information platform that provides verified accessibility details on barrier-free hotels, transportation, attractions, tours, and related services for travelers with disabilities visiting Japan. The platform functions as an information marketplace and directory connecting disabled travelers with vetted accessible travel service providers across the country. It also distributes a Tokyo guidebook via Amazon and provides curated day tours and food tours through partner operators.
Is Accessible Japan a public or private company?
Accessible Japan is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Accessible Japan founded?
Accessible Japan was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Accessible Japan based?
Accessible Japan is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Accessible Japan make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Affiliate/Referral Revenue is the primary driver. The others are partner Listings and Advertising.
Who are Accessible Japan's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are WheelchairTravel.org, Sage Traveling, Wheel the World, Curb Free with Cory Lee, iAccess Life and Traveling Abilities. Broad incumbents are Lonely Planet, Booking.com and Airbnb. Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is listed as a regional player.
Does Accessible Japan have an API?
No public API is recorded for Accessible Japan.
What industry is Accessible Japan in?
Accessible Japan's product category is Accessible Travel Information Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAKAOAH, Accessible & Special-Needs Itinerary Planning, with a secondary code of THAKAEAL, Special Needs & Accessible Travel Services (Local DMC). Its NAICS code is 4889 and its SIC code is 4700.