Travel in Oct

Hi there!

Traveling by Wheelchair on the JR should be no problem and there are special wheel chair facilities on all major stations. You may encounter some difficulties though if you visit remote local stations but there's always JR Staff willing to help out. I know that Osaka, Kyoto and Kansai Airport are well equipped for Wheelchair access but was a little unsure about Tanaba city. I looked this station up and it also comes equipped with elevator access to all platforms as well as a wheelchair toilet. The JR station in Tanabe city is called KiiTanabe, the limited express called KUROSHIO also stops here and I would recommend using this train if you travel there with a Wheelchair as it has extra space and reserved seating, it is also covered by the JR Pass.

The Kuroshio does not stop at Osaka station but you can board it from either Shin-Osaka (the Shinkansen station) or Tennoji (also located in Osaka).

As for the right pass, consider the Kansai Wide Pass although this pass does have some limitations (no seat reservations / Green Class). If you do want those options than I think that buying normal tickets as you go is probably the best option as travel around Kansai (the area where Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe) are located is not very expansive.

I hope this helps!
Daniel

Aloha Daniel-san,
Thank you for your very helpful message to my inquiry. We are looking forward to this vacation to meet our relatives in Japan we have not seen in many years and this helpful response has eased our concern for our handicapped traveler.
Holoholotutu