Sports activities in Tokyo
Wondering about sports activities in Tokyo? At the dawn of the World Athletics Championships in 2025, Japan's capital city, best known for its gastronomy and its living environment, also intends to promote and value sports. Indoors, outdoors, or with children here is a roundup of the different ways to spend your free time.
Public gyms in Tokyo
When you think of “gym”, you often think of franchises or private sports centers, but you're likely to be pleasantly surprised by your new district's modern sports centers, with an interesting schedule (in general, from 9h30 to 22h), with special formulas designed for everyone: discounts, group fares, children's fares, etc.
Gyms, such as the Ikebukuro Sports Center, the Shinjuku Sports Center, or the Bunkyo Sports Center, offer many activities, including swimming, basketball, tennis, baseball, ballet, volleyball, fitness, bodybuilding, badminton, climbing, martial arts, yoga, dance, etc. Fees depend on selected activities. For example, consider an entry fee of 400¥ for 3 hours at the Shinjuku Sports Center and nearly the same for the Ikebukuro Sports Center. At the Bunkyo Sports Center, fees amount to 310¥.
It is a reasonable starting price that allows you to test the sports and appreciate the atmosphere of the center. Note that the prices indicated above are those applied to the general public. In Tokyo, some municipal halls are reserved for residents, but even expats can join in in Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, and Bunkyo. The best thing to do is to inquire directly at the town halls, especially if you plan to go there regularly: subscribing would then be the best option.
As mentioned above, children can also enjoy fun activities at a discounted rate of 200¥ in Ikebukuro, 70–100¥ in Shinjuku, and 160¥ in Bunkyo. People with disabilities are also entitled to discounts, especially in Ikebukuro where admission is free of charge. In Shinjuku, access to the pool is free of charge once a month. Ikebukuro also offers discounts for the elderly – 200¥ instead of 400¥.
Benefits usually depend on your situation and the details of the steps to follow. For more information, go directly to the City Hall.
Fitness clubs in Tokyo
With a hectic lifestyle, between the time spent in transport and overtime, Tokyoites have a fully active lifestyle. Fitness clubs have extended their opening hours. Since it can be found all over Tokyo, it won't be hard to find a gym in your area. Below is a non-exhaustive list of some fitness clubs:
Gold's Gym
Present throughout Japan, this franchise has many clubs in Tokyo. Opening hours are often from 7 am to 11 pm (9 am–9 pm on Sundays), some open 24/24. Gold's Gym provides you with a gym, bodybuilding, spinning sessions, women's spaces (gym, sauna, massage, etc.), cardio room, etc. You can step in, without any prior booking, to visit the gym and test some machines (only one free visit allowed). Bring a sports outfit, your towel, and clean sneakers. You must also bring your ID.
Count around 5,500¥ for a subscription (tax included). You then choose your payment facilities (monthly payment, in CB, cash), the duration of your subscription, etc. Feel free to ask any questions that you might have.
Anytime Fitness
As its name suggests, Anytime Fitness sports gyms are open 24/7. This powerful marketing strategy fits well with the employees' different work schedules. You can expect activities like cardio, bodybuilding, gym, etc.
Unlike Gold's Gym, you have to make an appointment to visit. Make sure this visit is free of charge; terms and conditions may vary according to the gym. Also, remember to bring your gym gear, clean sneakers, towel, and identification papers.
Subscriptions vary according to the club chosen. In Ikebukuro, they cost around 8,580¥/month. In Higashi Ginza, they can cost around 9,075¥/month. Ueno is a little cheaper: 8,338¥/month. All are tax included.
You will be charged a security key issuance fee of 5,500 yen (including tax) when you enroll. Additionally, certain stores offer membership campaigns with great benefits.
Club 360
Club 360, an English-speaking fitness center, is a good alternative. Even though it is less present in the city than its competitors, it remains equally valued due to its philosophy: mind and body repair, working on the inside and outside, learning to understand better and optimize your body, etc. Club 360 also offers physiology sessions and nutrition programs besides bodybuilding, gym, boxing and kickboxing, massages, children's classes, etc.
Regarding the fees at Club 360, count 3,500¥, taxes inclusive, for Open Gym – Single. There is no registration or commitment fee. Feel free to call the club directly for more information.
In addition to these general sports clubs, you will also find sports centers dedicated to a particular activity: tennis, baseball, football, dance, climbing, martial arts, etc. To obtain a list of these sports clubs, visit your town hall.
Outdoor sports in Tokyo
In addition to indoor sports, you can also enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities.
Jogging
This is probably the most accessible outdoor sport and the cheapest! Besides buying a good pair of sneakers, running does not require heavy equipment. The setup, too, is readily found: at your doorstep. Jogging is very popular in Tokyo since there is no need to venture too far away from home. You can just tour the different neighborhoods and meet other joggers at any time of the day, even at night. To run in a more “natural” setting, many also opt, during the day, for parks and gardens like Yoyogi, Meiji-Jingu, the Imperial Palace gardens, etc.
Along the same line, hiking is also very appreciated. Parks and gardens are ideal locations, not to mention the mountains and valleys (Takao Mountain, Todokori Valley, etc.)
Cycling
Somehow, biking occupies a special place in the local lifestyle next to running. You just have to buy a bike which can also become a means of daily transportation. It is not uncommon to see at the pedestrian crossing, a few waiting pedestrians surrounded by five or even ten cyclists. Cycling is omnipresent – to go to work, taking the kids to school, shopping, sports, etc.
If you like cycling, register with associations like the Tokyo Great Cycling Tour which offers different trails “on the Edo route”, “Tokyo bays”, etc., to rediscover Tokyo differently. It's also an excellent opportunity to meet new people.
Group sports in Tokyo
Baseball is the most popular sport in Japan and is ranked the national sport. Children get started at a very young age (catch ball) and have fun throwing baseballs. Baseball brings the whole family together in a very playful way. Professional baseball players, on the other hand, are international stars.
Football is also quite popular, propelled by the successful manga “Captain Tsubasa”. The World Cups also highly value this sport. Like football, tennis has also become fashionable, having its own eponymous manga: “Prince of Tennis”. It also has its stars: thanks to her victory at the Australian Open finals, Naomi Osaka has just been number one in the world. Kei Nishikori, who recurred to the top level (7th in the world), is another national pride. Despite his recent injury, he remains a symbol for the country.
You can get a list of the different sports available in Tokyo at the nearest town hall.
Useful links:
Municipal sports gyms (*: website in Japanese only)
Fitness clubs
Gold's Gym (English version available on site)
Anytime Fitness and Anytime Fitness (*)
Outdoor sports
Tokyowalking (*)
Tokyo international day trip (walking or cycling)
Running in Tokyo (JapaneseEnglish)
