A Practical Guide to Plus Size Japan Travel: Tips, Restrictions, and Comfortable Sightseeing
Traveling as a plus size individual comes with its unique set of challenges, especially in a country like Japan, where space is often at a premium and cultural norms differ from what many Western tourists may be used to. From navigating crowded transportation systems and tight shopping aisles to ensuring comfortable seating in restaurants and theme parks, it can be difficult to plan a stress-free vacation. This practical guide offers tips, insights, and recommendations to help you navigate the potential hurdles of plus-size travel in Japan, so you can focus on enjoying your trip to the fullest.
Challenges in Transportation
Trains and Busses
In busy cities like Tokyo, subways and buses can be extremely crowded. People stand packed shoulder-to-shoulder as the train starts and stops along its journey. Even for seasoned locals, keeping your balance on a crowded train can be challenging.
What To Watch Out For: If you find yourself in a busy area and need to travel during peak hours (weekdays from 7:30 am to 9:30 am and 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm), you may need to stand for the entire trip. Additionally, in extremely crowded trains, you might not have access to the stabilizing hand grips. This means standing shoulder-to-shoulder while holding your bags (avoid wearing backpacks on your back) in a packed crowd. The group sways with the motion of the train, which can be difficult for those unfamiliar with it, and may cause some to stumble and bump into others.
If you're lucky, you may get a seat. However, if the train is busy, people will squeeze into the seat next to you, even if you need more space to sit comfortably. In some cities, it’s acceptable to sit in designated areas for the disabled and pregnant if necessary, but in places like Sapporo, these seats are strictly reserved for the elderly or those with a medical tag indicating their need.
What We Recommend: If you're not accustomed to crowded transportation, use a walker, or struggle to stand on a train without support, consider traveling during off-peak hours when there are fewer passengers. You'll be more likely to find a seat and have the space you need to travel comfortably.
Comfortable Accommodation
What To Watch Out For: Hotel room photos can be misleading, and discovering a shockingly small bed is one of the worst surprises when traveling. Always, always check the bed size of the room you're booking in advance. A room may advertise that it accommodates two people, but in reality, it may only have one "Super Single" or "Semi-Double" bed.
What is a 'Semi-Double' bed? It’s a Japanese term for a bed slightly larger than a single but smaller than a double bed. Semi-double beds are common in many budget or "business hotel" double-occupancy rooms. In our experience, a semi-double bed can be comfortable for one plus-size person. Additionally, some rooms feature "Super Single" beds, which are even smaller and only slightly larger than a standard single bed.
What We Recommend: Don’t rely solely on the room’s stated occupancy or hotel photos—always check the bed sizes and choose your accommodations carefully. If you're two adults traveling together and one or both of you are plus size, opting for a room with two beds can lead to a more comfortable sleep.
Walking and Stairs
Japan, especially Tokyo, is known for its extensive walking culture, with tourists often covering significant distances on foot.
What To Watch Out For: Outside of parks, public seating is very limited. If you have difficulty walking long distances without resting, this is important to consider when planning your trip. It's also challenging to anticipate whether a location will have a lot of stairs or lack an elevator. Unfortunately, many buildings in Japan are not accessible to those with mobility issues.
What We Recommend: Prepare for long walks by packing comfortable footwear and allowing yourself time to rest between locations. Plan your breaks strategically by identifying parks, cafes, or other places with public seating in advance. If you are not accustomed to walking a lot or using stairs often, it's not uncommon for people who aren't usually active, or who don't live in walkable cities, to 'train' for their Japan trip in advance.
If you have mobility concerns, we recommend visiting Accessible Japan, a comprehensive guide to accessibility for your trip.
Shopping
Crowded Spaces
While most modern stores and shopping centers tend to have spacious aisles, smaller businesses and hobby shops are often packed with merchandise, leading to narrow aisles that can be difficult to navigate.
In most cases, the only way to know if a store has accessible aisles is to enter and try it yourself. If you're planning to explore hobby shops for electronics or anime merchandise (except for the generally tidy Animate locations), be prepared for tight spaces and possibly stairs between floors. It's common to see people of all sizes carry large bags or backpacks in front of them rather than on their backs to avoid knocking over merchandise displays. If you're doing some serious shopping or searching for specific hobby items, be ready to squat or get down to floor level to sift through merchandise on the bottom shelves. Don Quijote is a popular shopping destination for both tourists and locals. While it's a modern store, the aisles are narrow, and busy locations can become quite crowded. If Donki is on your list of places to visit, consider shopping earlier in the day to avoid the crowds. Lack of Plus Size Clothing in Stores
If you are plus size and have your heart set on buying clothing in Japan, plan where you want to go ahead of time. If you're visiting Tokyo, use our marked Google map of all plus size clothing locations in the city. You can also use our Store Directory to find out which brands have storefronts and which are online only.
Dining Out
What To Watch Out For: Depending on the type of restaurant, seating can be an issue. Many tourists want to try restaurants with traditional sunken floor seating, known as "horigotatsu" (掘りごたつ). Horigotatsu is a type of traditional Japanese table that’s low to the ground and has a recessed floor beneath it so that people can stretch out their legs. This allows you to sit on the floor the same way you would sit in a chair. Unfortunately, this style of seating presents several potential problems for bigger people. The first issue, and the one that could hinder your experience the most, is that the table cannot be moved or raised, which means some people may not fit their legs comfortably in the space beneath the table. You can sometimes create more room by removing the cushion you’re meant to sit on; sitting directly on the floor can provide a few extra inches. Secondly, for anyone not used to floor seating or sitting on backless chairs for long periods, it can become quite uncomfortable. Lastly, you’ll need to remove your shoes and step into the dining area, and then put your shoes back on from a standing position when you leave, which could be challenging for some.
Another seating type similar (and far less comfortable) to the above is low table floor seating without the sunken area to put your legs. This means you will need to be cross legged, on the floor for the duration of the meal.
Other seating issues to consider include bar stools. Many small izakayas only offer tall stools for seating. If stools are problematic for you in your home country (e.g., not sturdy or too small), they will likely pose the same issues in Japan. Finally, there’s booth seating, commonly found in chain conveyor belt sushi restaurants, known as kaitenzushi (回転寿司). In general, booths in Japan are smaller. At around 100 kg, booths may still be comfortable, but for those closer to 120 kg–150 kg, the tables may not provide enough space, as they are fixed in place. What We Recommend: Plan ahead and check reviews and photos. Google Maps images and reviews from other tourists are helpful for getting a sense of the restaurant’s layout. In Japan, the most popular review site is Tabelog, where you can find more reviews, photos, and even make reservations.
Sightseeing Considerations
Tokyo Disneyland, Disney Sea, Universal Studios and Other Theme Parks
If you're planning to visit a theme park in Japan, be aware of size restrictions on certain rides. It's a good idea to check the park's guidelines in advance to avoid any surprises. Additionally, search online for plus-size reviews of each park to help plan your day accordingly.
Tokyo GoKarts
While many companies don't explicitly list height or weight limits for go-karting, you may be denied a ride if your size poses safety risks. Potential issues include difficulty reaching or steering the wheel (if your stomach rests on the wheel or you can't reach it properly) or being unable to efficiently use the gas and brake pedals. These go-karts operate in real traffic, so full control of the kart is essential.
Baseball Games, Concerts & Stadium Seating Compared to Western standards, the seating in most popular stadiums is quite small, and the armrests are usually not adjustable. Many tourists, not just plus-size individuals, find it uncomfortable to sit in these narrow seats. If you already find economy seats on budget airlines tight, squeezing into a stadium seat might not be a pleasant experience.
Kimono Rentals
If you'd like to try Kimono or Yukata, be aware that not all rental shops carry plus sizes or tall sizes. If you're in Tokyo, we recommend Asakusa Kimono Rental Momohime, which specializes in plus size kimono rentals.
Cultural Experiences Traditional activities, such as tea ceremonies or calligraphy lessons, often require you to sit cross-legged or kneel for extended periods. This can be uncomfortable, especially if you're not accustomed to such positions. Onsen You're naked, you're foreign, and you're plus size - people are going to look at you. We tend to look at things that are different from our everyday norm. It's not out of malice, rather, just curiosity. If you want to experience the cultural cornerstone that is onsen, go for it! If the idea of naked strangers looking at your equally naked body sends you into a panic, there are private onsen experiences.
More Tips For a Comfortable Trip
Public Toilets
We're spoiled by the modern Japanese toilet experience, which often includes heated seats, bidets, and motion-activated background sounds, allowing you to do your business in peace. You'll find these amenities in many new buildings, airports, and tourist attractions. However, there’s a chance that the only public toilet available is a squat-style toilet. These old-style toilets can be found almost everywhere and require you to drop your pants and balance yourself while squatting over a hole in the floor. In many cases, you may find both squat and modern toilet options, but if you're in an older area, a park, or the countryside, a squat toilet might be your only choice.
Additionally, public bathroom stalls can be quite small, making it a tight squeeze to enter and close the door.
Tiny Shower Doors Common in Japanese apartments, many shower rooms have folding door entrances that tend to be smaller than standard interior Japanese doors. Be sure to check the type of bathroom you'll have access to when booking your accommodations, as budget hotels (often called "business hotels") may feature these folding shower doors. Spas and Salons Go ahead and pamper yourself! If you've booked a spa service that includes a massage or body treatment, bring a change of loose, comfortable clothing (like a loose t-shirt and elastic pants) to wear. Spas typically provide clients with standard-sized spa clothes for the duration of their treatment, but they may not have options that fit you comfortably.
Traveling in Japan as a plus-size person may require a bit more preparation, but with the right planning, you can enjoy a comfortable and memorable experience. By being mindful of transportation, accommodations, dining, and sightseeing options, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any challenges that come your way. Whether you're exploring bustling cities, indulging in cultural experiences, or shopping for unique souvenirs, we hope these tips will help you travel with confidence and comfort. Happy traveling!
