Renting a Wheelchair in Japan

Airport pick up hotel delivery and one way returns

Haneda Airport Terminal 2. Photo: MaedaAkihiko, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0; displayed image captured from the original file).

Updated: 17 September 2026 | Information and availability may change. Confirm directly with the rental provider before booking.

Quick answer

Travellers who need mobility equipment in Japan currently have two useful options: airport collection through ANA’s MoVA counters, or advance delivery of selected WHILL equipment to a hotel. A temporary MoVA trial also allows eligible equipment to be collected at Haneda, Narita or Kansai Airport and returned at another participating airport. According to ANA, this one-way return trial is scheduled to end on 30 September 2026.

Planning an accessible Japan trip from Singapore? Contact Ludus Lab to discuss routes, mobility requirements and practical travel support before you book.

 

Why wheelchair rental can make a Japan trip easier

Bringing your own wheelchair may be the best choice when you depend on a customised seating system or a chair fitted precisely to your body. However, some travellers may prefer to rent equipment in Japan as a backup, for longer walking days or when travelling with an older family member who needs occasional assistance.

The right option depends on the traveller’s mobility needs, the type of equipment required, the length of the trip and the planned route. Airport pick-up can be convenient for shorter stays, while hotel delivery may suit longer trips that allow more time for advance arrangements.

 

Option 1 Pick up mobility equipment at the airport

ANA’s short-distance mobility rental service, MoVA, operates rental counters at Haneda, Narita and Kansai airports. The official ANA announcement lists manual wheelchairs, two types of powered wheelchairs, electric mobility scooters and strollers among the available equipment.

•  Participating airports: Haneda Airport, Narita Airport and Kansai International Airport

•  Rental periods can start from one day, subject to equipment availability and the booking conditions shown online

•  Reservations are made through the Veltra booking website

•  Equipment choices and counter locations differ, so check the details for the airport you will actually use

At Haneda Airport, ANA states that the MoVA counter is at Terminal 2, Level 1, in the Domestic Arrivals area. Its published operating hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Japan time. Travellers arriving at another terminal should plan how they will reach the counter and allow sufficient time before it closes.

Check the official information: ANA MoVA announcement and Veltra wheelchair rental listings.

Temporary one way airport return trial

The temporary trial is especially relevant to travellers following Japan’s popular Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka route. For example, a traveller may arrive through Haneda or Narita, travel west through Japan and fly home from Kansai International Airport instead of returning to Tokyo.

Verified temporary update: ANA says the no-additional-fee one-way return trial between Haneda, Narita and Kansai runs from 15 June to 30 September 2026. The wider Haneda MoVA service trial is scheduled to continue until 31 December 2026, but that does not mean one-way returns will continue after September.

Availability is limited and not every item may qualify for one-way return. Confirm the eligible equipment, collection counter, return counter, dates and opening hours during booking.

WHILL Model F product photograph. Source: WHILL Model F. Editorial note: obtain permission from WHILL before publishing this photograph commercially.

Option 2 Arrange wheelchair delivery to your hotel

Hotel delivery is a separate service from the MoVA airport-counter trial. Accessible Japan reports that WHILL offers hotel delivery for selected powered mobility equipment. The equipment can be waiting at the hotel when the traveller checks in and collected at the end of the rental.

•  The WHILL Model F powered wheelchair can be delivered to hotels nationwide, according to Accessible Japan

•  The WHILL Model R mobility scooter is delivered and collected within the Kanto region

•  Hotel delivery generally requires about 10 days’ notice

•  The published minimum rental period is four days

•  Travellers should obtain the hotel’s agreement before arranging delivery and use the same name as the hotel reservation

Read the practical conditions in the Accessible Japan hotel-delivery guide and confirm the latest terms directly with the rental provider.

Airport pick up or hotel delivery

What to compare	Airport pick up	Hotel delivery
Best suited to	Shorter stays, airport-to-airport plans and travellers who need equipment soon after arrival	Longer stays and travellers who prefer equipment to be waiting at their accommodation
Advance planning	Book early because stock and models are limited	About 10 days’ notice is recommended
Minimum period	Rentals may start from one day	Published minimum of four days
Collection	Collect and return at the selected airport counter	Delivery to and collection from the agreed hotel
Important check	Terminal, counter hours, eligible equipment and one-way return rules	Hotel permission, delivery area, collection address and equipment model

What to confirm before reserving

A rental listing does not by itself confirm that the equipment is suitable for every traveller. Ask for exact information and compare it with the traveller’s needs before paying.

•  Equipment model, seat width, seat depth, maximum user weight and total equipment weight

•  Whether the wheelchair folds or separates for transport

•  Battery type, charging requirements and whether the battery is approved for the planned flight

•  Whether the traveller can transfer into a standard vehicle seat or needs to remain seated in the wheelchair

•  Whether the vehicle has sufficient boot space, a ramp or a lift for the selected equipment

•  Collection and return times, cancellation conditions and what happens if the flight is delayed

•  Emergency support and what to do if the equipment develops a fault

Should you bring your own wheelchair instead

Renting can be convenient, but it is not automatically the best choice. Travellers who rely on specialised seating, pressure relief, posture support or customised controls should carefully consider whether unfamiliar rental equipment will be safe and comfortable for daily use.

If you bring your own powered wheelchair, contact the airline early and provide the battery specifications, equipment dimensions and handling instructions. Keep photographs of the wheelchair’s condition and remove detachable parts before handing it over when required. A backup plan is useful in case equipment is delayed or damaged.

Planning an accessible route through Japan

The wheelchair is only one part of an accessible journey. A workable itinerary also needs step-free stations, realistic transfer times, accessible toilets, suitable hotel rooms and transport that can carry the selected mobility equipment. Historic districts, older buildings and some temples may still include steps, steep slopes, gravel or narrow entrances.

Before confirming the trip, map the complete journey from airport arrival to hotel, attractions, intercity transport and departure. Record when the information was last verified because lifts, station routes, construction works and service arrangements can change.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I collect a wheelchair at one Japanese airport and return it at another

Yes, for eligible equipment during ANA’s temporary MoVA one-way return trial between Haneda, Narita and Kansai airports. ANA states that the trial is scheduled to end on 30 September 2026. Confirm current availability during booking.

Can a wheelchair be delivered to my hotel in Japan

Yes, selected WHILL powered mobility equipment can be delivered to participating hotels under a separate hotel-delivery arrangement. The service has advance-notice, regional and minimum-rental requirements.

How early should I book

Book as early as possible for airport collection because equipment quantities are limited. Hotel delivery generally needs about 10 days’ notice, although booking earlier is sensible during busy travel periods.

Is a rented wheelchair suitable for every traveller

No. Confirm the equipment dimensions, seating support, controls, weight limit and transfer requirements. Travellers with customised seating or complex mobility needs may be safer and more comfortable with their own equipment.

Plan with verified information

Accessible travel works best when details are checked before departure instead of assumed. Confirm the equipment, airport counter, hotel arrangements, vehicle fit and daily routes as one connected plan.

Need support planning an accessible Japan journey from Singapore? Speak with Ludus Lab about your mobility requirements, preferred pace and travel route.