By How to Live in JAPAN 編集部 
Are you a foreign resident staying in Japan for a few months or years? If so, why not incorporate some recreation and exercise into your routine, and not just focus on work? Kawagoe City in Saitama has many public gymnasiums and sports facilities that are available at low cost to residents. These facilities make it easy to enjoy activities like gym workouts, swimming in pools, or playing sports such as basketball, table tennis, badminton, and more. In this article, we introduce 5 city-operated sports facilities in Kawagoe that are foreigner-friendly and easy to use. Make use of these venues to stay fit, meet new people, and enrich your life in Japan!
1. Kawagoe Sports Park General Gymnasium (City Gymnasium)
The Kawagoe Sports Park General Gymnasium is the largest sports complex in Kawagoe City and serves as the hub for local sports activities. It boasts a main arena with enough space for three basketball courts side by side, as well as a sub-arena, martial arts dojo, archery range, meeting rooms, and other multi-purpose facilities. While it regularly hosts official competitions for volleyball, badminton, table tennis, and more, it is also open for general use by individuals and groups.
One highlight is the training room, which is equipped with treadmills, weight machines, free weights, and other exercise equipment. If you live or work in Kawagoe, you can use this gym for only about ¥300 per session (the city resident rate; non-residents pay double). Note that first-time users are required to attend a short orientation session on how to use the equipment safely (this is usually done on the spot when you first visit). With facilities comparable to private fitness gyms, you can enjoy everything from serious strength training to light workouts at your own pace. If you’ve been feeling a lack of exercise, definitely give this training room a try.
If you want to enjoy sports with a larger group, the arena can also be rented out for team sports like basketball, volleyball, or badminton. You’ll need to reserve in advance, but this allows you to form a team with friends or join a local club to practice and play matches. It’s a great way to stay active and even make friends with local Japanese through sports.
- Location/Access: 388-1 Shimo-Oibukuro, Kawagoe City (inside Kawagoe Sports Park). From JR/Tobu Tojo Line Kawagoe Station East Exit (bus stop #7) or Seibu Shinjuku Line Hon-Kawagoe Station (bus stop #5), take the Tobu bus bound for Kawagoe Undou Kouen (Kawagoe Sports Park) and get off at the final stop. The facility is right there. If driving, ample free parking is available on site.
- Official Website: Kawagoe City Facilities Management Public Corporation – Kawagoe Sports Park Gymnasium
- Hours: 9:00–21:00
- Closed: Tuesdays (or next day if Tuesday is a holiday), New Year holidays (Dec 28 – Jan 4)
- Fees: Training room individual use ¥300 per visit (city resident rate). Arena rental fees vary by area and time (e.g., a badminton court section costs a few hundred yen per hour).
2. Naguwashi Park PiKOA (Heated Pool & Fitness Facility)
Naguwashi Park PiKOA is a modern comprehensive health and sports facility run by Kawagoe City. It features an indoor heated swimming pool, a full fitness gym, exercise studios, and even a bathing area with spa amenities. PiKOA is designed for everyone from children to adults to casually enjoy fitness and exercise. The indoor pool is open year-round, with water heated using the excess heat from a nearby waste processing center. It includes a walking pool for gentle exercise and jacuzzi tubs for relaxation.
The training gym is well-equipped with over 40 cardio and weight machines, making it popular with beginners and experienced athletes alike. There are also over 80 exercise classes offered each week in the studios and pool, including aerobics, yoga, aqua fitness, and more. Many classes are just 30 minutes and welcome beginners, so you can easily drop in and try a new activity. After working up a sweat, you can unwind in the onsen-style bathing facility, which offers a sauna and about seven types of baths (including outdoor bath, jet bath, bubble bath, etc.) to help you relax your muscles.
Another attractive point is the affordable price. For example, a combination ticket for the gym + spa is only ¥520 for city residents (¥620 for non-residents). There are also monthly membership passes (full-time or daytime) if you plan to go frequently. With late opening hours and extensive facilities, PiKOA is perfect for those who want a fitness club experience at a fraction of the cost.
- Location/Access: 1216 Kujirai, Kawagoe City. From Kasumigaseki Station (Tobu Tojo Line), take the free shuttle bus (runs from the north exit) for about 10 minutes to PiKOA. By car, it’s about 15 minutes from the Kawashima IC of the Ken-O Expressway. Free parking available (around 180 spaces).
- Official Website: Naguwashi Park PiKOA (managed by Konami Sports Co.)
- Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9:00–23:00; Sat, Sun & holidays 9:00–21:00
- Closed: Wednesdays, New Year holidays
- Example Fees: Training gym ¥420 per use (adult city resident; ¥500 for non-resident), Pool + spa combo ¥620 (city resident adult), Single studio lesson ¥420 and up. Tip: Bring an ID on your first visit to verify your residency for the discounted rate.
Notes for use: When using the pool, swim caps are required, and visible tattoos must be covered with a patch or sleeve (this is a common rule in Japan). Be sure to follow staff instructions and facility rules (such as no outdoor shoes on gym floors, etc.) to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone.
3. Sun Life Kawagoe & Yoshinodai Gymnasium (Workers’ Welfare Center)
Sun Life Kawagoe (officially the Kawagoe Middle-Aged Workers’ Welfare Center) and the adjacent Yoshinodai Gymnasium are public facilities primarily aimed at promoting the health, fitness, and hobbies of middle-aged workers. However, they are open for use by the general public as well. These facilities provide a relatively quiet environment, which is great if you prefer to exercise at your own pace without the crowds of a commercial gym.
Sun Life Kawagoe houses meeting rooms and classrooms, but it also features a training room equipped for weight training and cardio. The cost is extremely low: ¥300 per session (or even just ¥250 for those aged 45 and up) to use the training room, where you’ll find basic machines and free weights to get a good workout. (Users with disabilities can present their disability card to use the facilities for free.) Even if you go regularly, it won’t strain your wallet, and it’s a handy spot to maintain your fitness routine.
Next door, the Yoshinodai Gymnasium has a sports arena that can be used for badminton, table tennis, volleyball and other indoor sports. Rather than open drop-in hours, this arena is available by reservation for private/group use in sections (1/3 or 1/6 of the court, for example). This means you could book a court with a group of friends or join a local club that practices there. (Unfortunately, there are no general free-for-all play days, so some planning is required.) The facility also hosts various sports and cultural classes for residents—keep an eye on city announcements or the official website for opportunities to join activities like table tennis circles or exercise classes.
- Location/Access: 1-103-57 Yoshinodai, Kawagoe City. From Kawagoe Station East Exit, you can take a Tobu bus toward Ageo Station and get off at the Oibukuro bus stop; from there it’s about a 15-minute walk. Alternatively, driving is convenient (parking is available on-site).
- Official Website: Kawagoe City – Sun Life Kawagoe & Yoshinodai Gymnasium
- Hours: Tue–Sat 9:00–21:00; Sun & holidays 9:00–17:00
- Closed: Mondays, New Year holidays (Dec 29 – Jan 3)
- Fees: Training room ¥300 per visit (general adult), or ¥250 for adults 45 and older. Arena rental (Yoshinodai Gym) costs around ¥1,200–¥1,600 per 1/3 court block for a half-day segment (rates vary by time slot; city resident rates shown, non-residents ~double).
4. Kawagoe City “Oasis” General Welfare Center – Heated Pool
The Kawagoe City General Welfare Center Oasis is primarily a facility for senior citizens and people with disabilities in Kawagoe, but it also contains a heated indoor pool and a small gymnasium that are open to the general public for a fee. This facility is designed to be very accessible and safe, especially for older adults, so it offers a calm and user-friendly atmosphere for anyone looking to engage in light exercise.
The indoor pool is a 25-meter pool with several lanes, and it even has a section dedicated to walking exercise in the water. The cost for a swim is astonishingly low – only ¥300 for adults (for up to 2 hours) if you live in Kawagoe (children ¥150). Even if you are from outside the city, it’s just ¥450 for adults. There may occasionally be swimming classes for kids or aqua aerobics sessions for adults held on weekends. The facility also has a small jacuzzi and sauna, so you can warm up and relax after your swim.
There is also a small gymnasium room (often used for light exercises or table tennis). It’s not a full-size sports hall, but it’s enough for simple workouts or ping-pong. The fee is ¥150 per session for an adult. During weekdays, you might find local senior groups using this space for fitness classes or calisthenics, but if the room is free, general users are welcome to use it as well.
- Location/Access: 2-50-2 Kosenba-machi, Kawagoe City. Take the “Kawagoe Shuttle” City Bus (circulating loop bus) route 30, 31 or 32 and get off at the Sogo Fukushi Center (General Welfare Center) stop; the building is right there. Alternatively, from Kawagoe Station you can ride the Koedo Tourist Loop Bus and get off at Sogo Fukushi Center-mae.
- Official Website: Kawagoe City General Welfare Center “Oasis”
- Hours: Tue–Sun 9:00–21:00 (Note: Reception desk closes at 17:15 for general use tickets)
- Closed: Mondays, national holidays, New Year holidays (Dec 29 – Jan 3)
- Fees: Pool – ¥300 per adult, ¥150 per child (city resident, up to 2 hours per session). Small gym – ¥150 per person. Registered seniors (60+) and individuals with disabilities can use the facilities free of charge with an official registration.
Please note: Swimsuits and swim caps are required in the pool, and if you have tattoos, please cover them. Children under middle school age must be accompanied by an adult in the pool. Also, if you plan to swim in the evening, remember that you need to buy your ticket before the 5:15pm reception closing time.
5. Kawagoe City Budokan (Martial Arts Hall)
The Kawagoe Budokan (Martial Arts Hall) is a city-managed facility that is perfect for those interested in experiencing Japanese martial arts. It features multiple practice halls: a wooden-floored dojo for arts like kendo or naginata, a tatami-matted dojo for judo or karate, and even an underground kyudo (Japanese archery) range. Local schools and martial arts clubs frequently use this hall for their training and tournaments, but the facilities can be booked by general users (through groups or clubs) as well.
If you are a foreign resident keen to try out a Japanese martial art, you might consider joining one of the clubs or classes that practice at the Kawagoe Budokan. The city’s kendo federation and various karate dojos, for example, train here and often welcome beginners. There are sometimes introductory workshops or trial lessons announced for newcomers, so check the city’s sports information or the websites of martial arts organizations in Kawagoe. Even if you just want to watch, spectators are often welcome at tournaments or practice sessions. Training in a martial art can be a fantastic way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture and meet people in the community.
- Location/Access: 2-30-1 Kuwamoto-cho, Kawagoe City (near the Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Palace and City Museum). From Hon-Kawagoe Station, it’s about a 25-minute walk. Or take a bus (Tobu bus bound for Shinmeicho Shako) and get off at Hakubutsukan-mae (Museum) bus stop, which is a 1-minute walk away.
- Official Website: Kawagoe City – Kawagoe Budokan
- Hours: 9:00–21:00
- Closed: Tuesdays (or next day if Tuesday is a holiday)
- Fees: Usage fees for the Budokan depend on the specific facility and time (for example, renting a kendo dojo for one hour costs a few hundred yen). Note that you cannot just drop in individually — use is typically through a club or group that has reserved the space in advance.
Conclusion: Enrich Your Life in Kawagoe Through Sports
Kawagoe City’s public sports facilities offer excellent value and are open to everyone, including foreign residents. By incorporating some physical activity into your routine, you’ll not only improve your health but also have a chance to interact with the local community.
When using these facilities, be sure to follow the rules and etiquette — for example, bring indoor shoes for indoor courts, clean up equipment after use, and be considerate when sharing spaces. Even if you’re not confident in Japanese, don’t worry: basic signs and instructions are often illustrated, and staff or fellow users are usually willing to help. Sports often transcend language barriers, and you may find yourself communicating naturally through the shared activity.
We encourage you to take advantage of Kawagoe’s gyms and sports centers to make your time in Japan more fulfilling. Staying active will help relieve stress and provide a fun break from work. By engaging in sports and recreation, you’ll likely find your life in Japan becoming even more enjoyable and rewarding.