The Japanese Shop

nigelthompson

29 Oct 2025

Very welcoming and helpful. Lovely shop to visit

5

5

Date of visit: September 2025

Overall Rating

Excellent

The Japanese Shop kindly invited Disability Action Yorkshire Charity to visit their shop and provide feedback and advice upon accessibility and inclusion. The shop, which is family run, is situated at The Studio Harrogate Business Centre, Hookstone Avenue, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 8ER and is one of the largest Japanese shops in Europe and home to one of the largest collections of Japanese products online and instore!

Disabled Access In and Around

Good

Access Main access to the Business Centre There is a wide double door access with one step to the main entrance of the building and although the doors are not automated, a welcoming receptionist is always located close to the entrance and a wheelchair ramp is available should assistance be required. There is a seating area close to the entrance should you wish to stop and rest. Access to the Japanese Shop There are two accesses 1) Stepped access with handrail via the main entrance to the Business Park at Hookstone Avenue. This is from the reception desk and by means of a set of stairs, going down. Assistance is available at reception and from the shop itself. 2) Level access close to the disabled parking bays off Birchwood Mews This is a level access to the show room through a passageway suitable for wheelchairs. Helpful signage, with telephone number and adjacent doorbell have been put in place for visiting customers who require a little more assistance.

Accessible facilities: Seating at regular intervals, Step-free access to most areas

Parking & Transport

Excellent

I travelled to this place by personal vehicle

Transport & Parking Hornbeam Railway Station (adjacent to Premier Inn), which is on the Leeds to York Railway Line, is within 0.3 miles of the premises via Hookstone Road and Hookstone Avenue and has frequent trains. The train operator Northern, offers Passenger Assist, part of a national rail industry scheme that allows disabled and older customers to request journey assistance in advance, ensuring they receive help getting on and off trains, navigating stations, and making connections There are also several bus routes with the main one being route 36 which is the main Leeds to Harrogate to Ripon route and about 0.3 miles from the nearest bus stop on Leeds Road adjacent to Marks and Spencer's Foodhall following Beech Avenue. Transdev are the main bus provider, and buses are designed with low floors, ramps, and designated wheelchair spaces to assist passengers with disabilities and other needs. Drivers are trained to assist with boarding, and the buses are equipped with visual and audible next-stop announcements, hearing loops, and colour-contrasted flooring to help passengers. Passengers needing assistance can also download and use journey assistance cards to communicate their needs to the drive. There are three disabled parking spaces, one directly situated at the main entrance to the building (off Hookstone Avenue) and two to the side of the Business Centre (off Birchwood Mews) which are in close proximately to the main stepped entrance but also a level access to the side of the premises . Substantial parking spaces are available around the Business Park which are not dedicated disabled parking bays.

Accessible facilities: Dedicated on-site parking, Drop-off or pick up point

Accessible Toilets

Good

Toilets There is toilet facilities situated at ground floor level, close to the reception and nearby to the level access point off Birchwood Mews.

Facilities: Accessible toilet

Staff

Excellent

Showroom and staff The Japanese Shop offers a showroom that is welcoming and accessible. It has spacious layout features, wide passageways throughout, allowing easy movement for wheelchair users and those with mobility aids. A seat is also available for those who need a break. Displays are thoughtfully arranged at a variety of heights to ensure that products can be comfortably viewed and enjoyed by all visitors Helpful staff encourage customers to touch and feel displays, making the shopping experience engaging and inclusive for people with visual or sensory impairments. Friendly and knowledgeable team members are always on hand to help, provide advice, and ensure every customer feels supported during their visit.