Injured on Your Japan Ski or Snowboard Trip?
What to Do When You Can't Take the Train Home
What to do when an injury means skiing is over—but your Japan trip isn't
You came to Japan for the Japow powder.
Maybe you spent the morning carving through fresh snow in Hakuba. Maybe you finally made it to the epic slopes of Niseko, the cozy mini-Australian town of Nozawa Onsen, the large expanse of Shiga Kogen, or the secret slope and you felt like a local.
And then, suddenly, your ski trip changes. You stop suddenly with too much momentum. You flipped over your skis. You ran into a tree.
A twisted knee. A broken wrist. A shoulder injury. A concussion. An opps, that didn’t sound right. A I’m not really sure what happened, but it wasn’t good moment. A boot that was too loose and you pulled a muscle.
Hopefully, you've already done the most important things: contacted ski patrol, received appropriate medical care, and contacted your travel insurance company if necessary. But there is another problem that doesn't always get discussed:
How do you actually get back to Tokyo or the airport when you can't comfortably take the train, navigate a station, or carry your luggage?
For an injured traveler, a journey that would normally be simple can suddenly become exhausting—or impossible.
That's where private transportation can make a very difficult day considerably easier.
Many of Japan's famous ski areas are not directly connected to Tokyo by a single train. Getting home can involve a combination of local transportation, buses, trains, transfers and walking.
When you're healthy, that's part of the adventure.
When you're injured, it can be the last thing you want to deal with.
And when you get back to Tokyo, trust us, you don’t want to be traveling the crowded Tokyo train systems with an injury. There’s no room for you on an ordinary day, but in the crowded moment, you have to fight to protect your injury from getting bumped into. Sometimes you have to even beg to sit down in the priority seating area when no one will give you eye contact and graciously abandon their seat. Even finding the elevators can sometimes be tricky—they always seem to be at the other end of the platform.
Ride back to Tokyo with comfort
When you’re injured sometimes you feel the slightest bump even that much more sharply. Even the bullet train’s rocking speed can cause vibrations that create discomfort. When you’re talking hours of travel to get back to Tokyo—then hours more to travel home, arriving more refreshed can make a big difference, so riding in a private vehicle is much more comfortable than a standing-room-only train that can happen at the end of the day.
What if you aren't going home yet and need mobility support?
An injury doesn't necessarily mean your entire Japan vacation has to end and you can only stay in your hotel room, especially if you had several days left before your flight. It might mean you need to take sightseeing a little bit more slowly, but our private transportation can fill in where you had planned to take the trains. We’ll drop you off at your destination at the closest spot possible.
Not to mention, ask about our complimentary power wheelchair service with TokudAw reservations. We are happy to equip your reservation with a lightweight and foldable wheelchair that can be used to navigate many of the top tourist destinations you may have on your must-see list.
If your group is still enjoying the mountains, but you’d rather enjoy Japan than just sit around, we can help arrange transportation and local activities for you. Imagine observing woodworking or metal smithing masters, witnessing sake brewers or even trying your hand at paper making. Japan’s snow country isn’t just famous for snow, though that’s what you came for.
If you don’t have access to mobility equipment and we aren’t nearby, we help support our customers. Here’s a real customer story on the topic:
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Customer: “I’m having trouble renting a wheelchair. It is either fully booked or requires a local ID to register”...
TokudAw: ... “I just called some home centers...[One is] available in this store!
”
What if you have crutches or a wheelchair?
We are specialists in accessible travel in Japan and have many guests with all types of accessibility needs—and have medical equipment on board some of our vehicles.
The more information you can provide us in advance of your reservation, the easier it is for our drivers and staff to support your needs and redesign your itinerary for your abilities.
You may want to communicate:
Whether you can walk independently
Whether you can climb steps
Whether you're using crutches, a cane or wheelchair
Whether you can transfer into a vehicle seat
How much luggage you have
Whether you have ski equipment
Whether another passenger will be traveling with you
Whether you need assistance loading luggage
Don't forget your travel insurance
Before your ski trip, check what your travel insurance actually covers.
Winter sports coverage is particularly important. Policies vary, so don't assume that because you have travel insurance, every skiing-related injury or transportation expense is automatically covered without prior-authorization. We are happy to help provide you with additional copies of receipts and documentation for reimbursement.
TokudAw can help you comfortably enjoy Japan
An injury is never how you want your ski vacation to go, but we’re here to help you comfortably enjoy the rest so that your memories don't have to end with an injury.
TokudAw provides private transportation for travelers throughout Japan, including transportation between ski destinations, Tokyo and airports.
If you've been injured and are medically cleared to travel, we can help you arrange a private vehicle so you don't have to figure out a complicated public transportation journey while managing an injury and luggage.
Whether you're traveling alone, with a partner, with children, or with a larger group, tell us about your situation when you contact us.
