Summer is here, which means Tokyo's many great (and cheap) public pools are now open. If you'd rather skip a staycation at a hotel with its own pool and swim on the cheap, these are the ones to go for – admission is usually around ¥600 or less, the atmosphere is laidback, and everyone's welcome, from old-timers to families with small children.
While some public pools can only be used by the residents of that particular ward or city, our picks are all open to the general public, so there's no stopping you from swimming into shape this summer. Unfortunately, tattoos are prohibited at all pools – however, here are some hacks to help you cover up your tattoos.
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Sendagaya's Metropolitan Gymnasium has two pools: a 50m, eight-lane Olympic one and a 25-metre, six-lane pool. You can use them plus the weight training room for ¥700. Fitness classes cost extra, with prices starting from ¥550.
Open: 9am-11pm, Sat until 10pm, Sun & hols until 9pm
Admission: 2.5-hr gym pass ¥700, junior high school students and younger children ¥300
Make sure to bring a swimming cap.
This facility offers both a 25m indoor pool, and a 50-m outdoor and kids' pool. Beach balls and other toys are allowed in the outdoor pools as long as it's not super crowded. Note that they tend to close when the weather turns foul.
Indoor pool: 9am-10pm
Admission: 2 hrs ¥400, free for junior high school students and younger children
Outdoor pools: Jul 1-Sep 10, 10am-8pm
Admission: 2 hrs ¥200, junior high school students and younger children ¥100
Outdoor kid's pool: Jul 1-Sep 10, 10am-5pm
Admission: ¥100 for 2nd grade primary school students and younger children as well as accompanying adults (junior high school students and older)
Make sure to bring a swimming cap for the indoor pool.
Offering nice views of nearby Tokyo Tower, this city-run, summer-only pool is one of the more popular swimming spots in central Tokyo. The 50-metre, eight-lane pool is open from July to September, while the facility also includes a second-floor terrace equipped with deck chairs – crowds not withstanding, this one rivals many hotel pools at a fraction of the price.
Open: Jul 1-Aug 31 9am to 8pm, Sep 1-15 9am to 5pm, closed Jul 7 & Aug 5 (2024)
Admission: 2hrs ¥600, high school students and younger children ¥100
Sports facility close to Tamachi Station, complete with pools, a sauna, weights gym and aerobics classes. Activities like water dancing and water walking can also be attempted.
Open: 8.30am-10pm (last entry 9.30pm), closed 1st Mon of the month
Admission: 2hrs ¥800 (¥500 for those who reside, work or study in Minato ward), students ¥100
Make sure to bring a swimming cap.
Opened in 2010, this Kinshicho facility houses a 25-metre, seven-lane pool plus a 50-centimetre deep kids' pool and a jacuzzi. Swimming classes are also offered – in Japanese only, natch.
Open: 9am-10.30pm, closed 3rd Mon of the month and Nov 13 to 16
Admission: 2 hrs ¥550, junior high school students and children aged 3 and older ¥270
Make sure to bring a swimming cap.
Edogawa-ku's Sports Land opens as a pool during summer and an ice skating rink during winter. It also boasts two children’s pools (one of which has a slide attached), tennis courts, an area for five-a-side football and a weight training/fitness room.
Open: Jul 1-Aug 31, 9am-5pm & 6pm-9pm (until 8pm on Thu)
Admission: ¥210, junior high and primary school students ¥50, free for younger children
Make sure to bring a swimming cap.
Tama City's indoor swimming centre houses a 50-metre pool, a wave pool, water slides and kids' pools, making it a fun destination for visitors of all ages. There's also a steam sauna, a training room and a small 'sports hall' on the premises. Note that the entrance fee is for two hours in July and August – stay longer and you'll need to pay extra.
Open: 9am-9.45pm, Sun and hols until 7.45pm, closed Tue (Wed if Tue is hols)
Admission: ¥620, junior high and high school students ¥310, free for younger children
Make sure to use a swimming cap in the 50-metre pool.
Situated close to the Kanamachi water purification plant, the oldest public park in Katsushika hosts a playground, a small natural pond and this outdoor pool open during the summer months. The main pool is 11m wide and 25m long, and also includes a shallow area for small children.
Open: July 20-August 31, 9.30am-11.30am, 12noon-2pm, 2.30pm-4.30pm, 5pm-7pm
Admission: 2 hrs ¥240, junior high and primary school students ¥40, free for younger children
Make sure to bring a swimming cap.
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