5 Top Public Sports Facilities in Katsushika Ward – Easy for Foreigners to Use

For foreigners staying mid- to long-term in Japan, using local public sports facilities is an excellent way to continue an exercise routine affordably and to interact with the local community. Tokyo’s Katsushika Ward has several public sports centers open to everyone, operated by the wardcity.katsushika.lg.jp. These facilities provide an environment where you can enjoy indoor sports like gym training, swimming in pools, basketball, badminton, and more. The usage fees are very low, and some facilities even offer beginner-friendly sports classes. In this article, we introduce five public sports facilities in Katsushika Ward that are easy for foreign residents to use. Through sports, you can stay healthy, refresh your mind, and enrich your life in Japan, all while connecting with your local community.

1. Okudo General Sports Center Gymnasium

• Location & Access: 7-17-1 Okudo, Katsushika-ku, Tokyocity.katsushika.lg.jp. Accessible by bus from JR Sobu Line “Shin-Koiwa Station” or JR Joban Line “Kameari Station” (get off at “Sports Center” stop, then a short walk), or a 15-minute walk from Keisei Line “Aoto Station”city.katsushika.lg.jp.
• Official Website: Katsushika Sports Facilities Official Websitecity.katsushika.lg.jp
• Hours: 9:00–21:00 (last admission 20:00)spo.katsushika-web.net. Closed on the 4th Wednesday of each month (also closed during New Year’s holidays and maintenance periods, except certain facilities)spo.katsushika-web.net.
• Fees: For individual use, 300 yen per 2 hours for high school age and above, 100 yen for children (elementary/junior high)city.katsushika.lg.jp (same price for residents and non-residents). During open gym hours, the main arena (indoor court) can be used for 500 yen per 2.5-hour session (100 yen for children)city.katsushika.lg.jp. Affordable prepaid cards are also available for frequent users.
• Reservations: No reservation is needed for personal use of the training room or pool; simply purchase a use ticket at reception on the daycity.katsushika.lg.jp. For exclusive use of courts or group bookings, prior registration in the ward’s facility reservation system is required, and you can apply online or at the office starting one month before your intended datecity.katsushika.lg.jp.
• Tips & Etiquette: Always change into indoor shoes when entering the facility and using the gymnasiumcity.katsushika.lg.jp. Use of street shoes or sandals is prohibited on the courtsspo.katsushika-web.net. If you are unsure how to use any exercise machine in the training room, the staff will gladly assist. Peak times vary; weekdays midday are relatively uncrowded, while evenings see more students and people coming after work. If you have tattoos, be sure to cover them with a rash guard or tape as required by the facility rulesspo.katsushika-web.net.

2. Okudo General Sports Center Heated Pool (Eight Hall)

• Location & Access: 1-2-1 Takasago, Katsushika-ku, Tokyocity.katsushika.lg.jp. About a 15-minute walk from Keisei Line “Aoto Station,” or take the Keisei Town Bus route 新小58 from JR Shin-Koiwa or Kameari Station and get off at “Okudo Undojo (Sports Ground)” bus stop, right near the facilitycity.katsushika.lg.jp.
• Official Website: Katsushika Sports Facilities Official Websitecity.katsushika.lg.jp
• Hours: 9:00–21:00 (pool use includes changing/shower time, up to 2 hours per session). Closed on the 3rd Wednesday of each month (if that is a holiday, closed the next day; no closure in July and August)tokyo-parasports-navi.metro.tokyo.lg.jp. The outdoor pool (summer season only) is open 9:00–18:30.
• Fees: For the heated indoor pool, 300 yen for high school age and above, 100 yen for children (per 2-hour session). Toddlers (age 3 and up who are not in diapers) are free. The outdoor summer pool has the same fees, though additional charges apply if you exceed your time slot.
• Reservations: No reservation is needed for individual pool use; buy a ticket at the vending machine for a 2-hour slot on the day. Note that during summer, certain time slots (especially weekday mornings) might be reserved for school or group use, making the pool unavailable to the general publiccity.katsushika.lg.jp. Check the official schedule beforehand for details.
• Tips & Etiquette: Street shoes are not allowed on the pool deck, and even slippers are typically not permitted. You must wear a swim cap in the pools. If you have tattoos, cover them so they are not visible (wearing a rash guard etc. is recommended)spo.katsushika-web.net. The pool enforces a 10-minute rest break every hour. On busy summer weekends, entry may be limited once capacity is reached, so plan to arrive early or consider visiting during weekdays to avoid crowds.

3. Mizumoto General Sports Center Gymnasium

• Location & Access: 1-23-1 Mizumoto, Katsushika-ku, Tokyotokyo-parasports-navi.metro.tokyo.lg.jp. From JR Joban Line/Keisei Kanamachi Line “Kanamachi Station” south exit, take a Keisei bus (such as the Nishi-Mizumoto loop) and get off at “Chuo Koen (Central Park)” or “Fureai-no-Ie” bus stop, then walk 5 minutestokyo-parasports-navi.metro.tokyo.lg.jp. It is also accessible by bus from JR Joban Line “Kameari Station”tokyo-parasports-navi.metro.tokyo.lg.jp. A parking lot with about 111 spaces is available on sitetokyo-parasports-navi.metro.tokyo.lg.jp.
• Official Website: Katsushika Sports Facilities Official Websitetokyo-parasports-navi.metro.tokyo.lg.jp
• Hours: 9:00–21:00 (last entry 20:00). Closed on the 2nd Wednesday of each month (next day if holiday; no closure in July/August)k-mil.gr.jp. Also closed during New Year’s holidays and scheduled maintenance periods.
• Fees: The fee structure is the same as at the Okudo gymnasium. The training room is 300 yen per 2 hours for adults (high school and above) and 100 yen for childrencity.katsushika.lg.jp. An indoor heated pool is also available; pool use is likewise 300 yen for adults and 100 yen for children per 2 hoursk-mil.gr.jp. On days when the gym’s arena is open for individual use, you can play sports like basketball for 500 yen per session (100 yen for children)city.katsushika.lg.jp.
• Reservations: You can use the training room or pool just by dropping in without a reservation. For group use or renting the gymnasium court, you need to register and then apply via the ward’s reservation system; bookings are decided by lottery or on a first-come basiscity.katsushika.lg.jpcity.katsushika.lg.jp. Applications typically open 3 months in advance for lotteries or 1 month in advance for first-come slotscity.katsushika.lg.jp.
• Tips & Etiquette: As with all indoor facilities, change into athletic shoes for indoor use and ensure your shoes’ soles are cleancity.katsushika.lg.jp. The entire facility is non-smoking. Because Mizumoto Sports Center has a pool, please dry off thoroughly after swimming before leaving the locker area to maintain cleanliness. The training room tends to get crowded on weekday evenings and weekends. Ticket sales end at 20:15, so be sure to arrive and purchase your ticket before then if you plan to exercise later in the eveningspo.katsushika-web.net.

4. Higashi-Kanamachi Sports Ground Climbing Center

• Location & Access: 8-31-1 Higashi-Kanamachi, Katsushika-ku, Tokyocity.katsushika.lg.jp. From JR Joban/Keisei Kanamachi Line “Kanamachi Station” south exit, take a Tobu bus (routes 金50, etc.) and get off at “Higashi-Kanamachi Undojo Iriguchi (Sports Ground Entrance)” stop, then walk 3 minutescity.katsushika.lg.jp. The climbing center is located within the Higashi-Kanamachi Sports Ground, which also includes tennis courts and a multi-purpose field.
• Official Website: Katsushika Sports Facilities Official Websitecity.katsushika.lg.jp
• Hours: 9:00–21:00 (last admission 20:00). Closed on the 2nd Wednesday of each monthcity.katsushika.lg.jp (next day if holiday). Note that outdoor facilities (tennis courts, etc.) have separate lighting curfews and usage hours.
• Fees: Individual climbing use is just 400 yen per 2 hours for high school age and above, and 80 yen for childrenspo.katsushika-web.net – very affordable. First-time users may need to attend a safety orientation. To rent the Higashi-Kanamachi tennis courts or fields for a group, the fee is around 1,200 yen per 2 hours per court (lighting fee extra for night sessions)spo.katsushika-web.net.
• Reservations: No reservation is needed for individual use of the climbing gym; you can walk in anytime during open hoursspo.katsushika-web.net. However, to use the lead climbing or speed climbing walls (roped climbing), you must first take a certification course offered by the center and be approved for those activitiesspo.katsushika-web.net. Booking a tennis court or field for private use requires a reservation via the ward’s online system in advance.
• Tips & Etiquette: You must wear climbing-specific shoes to use the walls (rental climbing shoes are available for 100 yen/pair, but quantities are limitedspo.katsushika-web.net). Wear socks if using rental shoes, and bring your own climbing chalk; socks and chalk are not available for rentspo.katsushika-web.net. If you’re a beginner, don’t push yourself too hard – follow the staff’s guidance for a safe experience. Always wear any required safety gear (helmet, harness, etc.) properly while climbing. The facility has changing rooms and showers available. Climbing is strenuous, so remember to stay hydrated and climb safely.

5. Kanamachi Park Pool (Summer Only)

• Location & Access: 3-24-1 Shibamata, Katsushika-ku, Tokyospo.katsushika-web.net. It’s about a 15-minute walk from Keisei Kanamachi Station or JR Kanamachi Station. This outdoor pool is located within Kanamachi Park, near the Katsushika Ward Office. There is no dedicated parking, so using public transport is recommended.
• Official Website: Katsushika Sports Facilities Official Website
• Hours: Open only during the summer school holiday period, roughly July 20 to August 31 each yearcity.katsushika.lg.jp (no closed days during the season). The pool operates in timed sessions of about 2 hours each, divided into morning, afternoon, and late-afternoon slots (e.g., 9:30–11:30, 13:00–15:00, etc.). On weekday mornings, the first session (9:30–11:30) is sometimes reserved for school or group use and not open to general swimmerscity.katsushika.lg.jp.
• Fees: 240 yen for adults (high school age and above), 40 yen for children (elementary/junior high) per 2-hour session. Children under 3 (who are not yet in school) are free. These “ward pool” rates apply equally for non-residents as well. This is a very low-cost community pool, ideal for families.
• Reservations: No reservation is needed; you can buy an admission ticket at the pool entrance for your desired time slot. If the pool reaches capacity, further admissions will be restricted. On hot weekends during summer vacation, the pool can become very crowded from early in the day, so consider going early or choosing a weekday for a more relaxed experience.
• Tips & Etiquette: Change into your swimsuit and rinse off in the shower before entering the pool. Follow basic pool etiquette: no running on deck, no diving in unauthorized areas, etc. There is a small kiddie pool, so keep a close watch on young children at all times. Also remember sun protection like a hat and sunscreen under the strong summer sun. If at any point you feel unwell while swimming, exit the pool and inform a staff member immediately.

Conclusion
We have introduced five public sports facilities in Katsushika Ward that are foreigner-friendly. All of these facilities offer well-equipped environments at very low cost, and they are accessible even if you’re not fluent in Japanese. The official website provides information in English, Chinese, and Korean as wellspo.katsushika-web.net. Be sure to take advantage of these sports centers to stay healthy and have fun during your time in Japan. Through sports, you might also find opportunities to connect with the local community, making your life in Japan all the more enriching.