In order for people such as the elderly and people with disabilities to enjoy the natural environment, the first step is to check the area where the event is to take place.
〇Key Points in Choosing a Venue
・Access：Choose a location where people with disabilities such as those using wheelchairs, or with visual or auditory disabilities (nearby train or bus stop, or a parking lot) can easily go.
・Approaching the river from the parking lot or bus/taxi dropoff point: The riverside has numerous large and small rocks and stones, which can make travel by ordinary wheelchair problematic. Either a wheelchair-pulling device (JINRIKI) or amphibious wheelchair (HIPPOcampe) is required.
・Restrooms: Check that the venue or nearby areas accommodate wheelchairs.
・Changing areas: For river activities in particular, ensure that there is a facility where people can change out of a bathing suit, or a changing tent or beach tent. Chairs and mats may also be required because wheelchair users are often unable to stand up and change.

〇Key points to remember for river fishing and “chairing”:
•Ensure that outdoor chairs can be set up.
•Check for safety on the ground (make sure the area where you are standing is not slippery so that you can better support the people with disabilities in the group).
•Ensure that the fishing or chairing area can be approached by wheelchair (an area free of steep slopes or uneven ground).
•Support system: Check that there are staff at the fishing areas.

The Akigawabashi Kasen Park is located approximately one hour from the Tokyo Metropolitan City center, about a five-minute walk from Itsukaichi Station on the JR Itsukaichi Line. The area lies in Akigawa Gorge, where participants can enjoy the magnificent natural environment to the fullest. The Akigawa riverbed area has a popular barbecuing area.
The Akigawa River waterside, which is a branch of the Tamagawa River, offers pure-running water as well a beautiful scenery that changes with the season. It is truly a spectacular natural location.

People say that the fun of river fishing lies in the fact that it can be enjoyed in nature throughout spring, summer, fall, and winter, each season with its own special scenery. This tour offered outdoor chairs set up in the Akigawa River shallows, along with wheelchairs provided by the office, where the tour participants could sit and enjoy fishing in the river setting.
A fishing permit is required of the Akigawa Fishery Cooperative Association.
Day pass for FY2024: Sweetfish ¥2,500, trout/Yamane trout ¥2,500, small fish ¥600. People 77 and up, people with disabilities, and junior high school students: half price. Elementary school students and younger enter free of charge.

“Chairing” is a kind of outdoor leisure using either folding
or other outdoor chairs to sit in one’s favorite place. This is a great way to enjoy being outside in parks, riverside areas, etc. During this tour, participants would in outdoor chairs in the shallows of the river, where they would be able to soak their feet in the river and take in the natural environment.

The following preparations were made for the test tour, featuring river activities for people with disabilities, which was slated for last October.
Wheelchair and related equipment: Tubeless tire wheelchairs (made to prevent problems with punctures), wheelchair-pulling devices, amphibious wheelchairs
Invitation from Nature Experience Activity Leader: Because caution is required in moving people with disabilities along the riverbed, we had Mr. Fujita, Section Manager at Fujimi Kogen Resort, and Mr. Tomohiro Fuchiyama of Office Fuchi and Planning Network Universal Advisor, to guide us.
River fishing: Fishing pass and fishing equipment set
Chairing: Outdoor chairs
As needed: Bathing suit, water shoes, life jacket, etc.
Wheelchair-pulling devices
These devices lift the front wheelchairs to enable the wheelchair access along poor roads, similar to the concept of a rickshaw.
A person pushes these amphibious wheelchairs which, along with their large tires, allow for travel over poor roads, and also direct entry into water with the person riding in it.

As of FY2024, Tokyo Metropolitan has established the "Subsidy for Nature Experience Tourism Promotion Project that everyone can enjoy.
The subsidy covers overhead costs, including equipment, required for programs offering relaxing tourism experiences in Tokyo’s natural environment for people with disabilities and the elderly. Amphibious wheelchair , as introduced in the article, are also eligible for subsidies.
For details, please refer to the following URL.
https://www.sangyo-rodo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/tourism/kakusyu/nature/