5 Public Sports Facilities in Nerima Ward That Are Easy for Foreign Residents to Use: Stay Healthy with Gyms, Indoor Courts, and Pools

Even if you’re busy with work or studies, adding some sports and exercise can help you lead a healthier and richer life in Japan. This article is aimed at foreign business professionals and students staying mid- to long-term in Tokyo, introducing convenient public gymnasiums and sports centers in Nerima Ward. Nerima Ward operates several public sports facilities where you can use gym training equipment, indoor sports arenas, and heated swimming pools at very low cost. These facilities offer individual use time slots without reservations, allowing you to easily get some exercise and relieve stress while blending into the local community. Below, we focus on five such public sports facilities in Nerima Ward where you can work out at a gym, play indoor sports like basketball or badminton, and swim in a pool, summarizing the features and how to use each.

For each facility, we cover an overview, location/access, hours, fees, multilingual support, reservation methods, and etiquette/points to note. Take advantage of these facilities during your stay to enrich your free time beyond work or study. Let’s take a look at each one!

1. Hikarigaoka Gymnasium (光が丘体育館)

Hikarigaoka Gymnasium is a large sports center located in the Hikarigaoka area in the southern part of Nerima Ward. It features a spacious arena that can accommodate two volleyball courts or two basketball courts, a training gym with a 40-person capacity, a 165-meter indoor running track, and a 25-meter heated swimming pool with 6 lanescity.nerima.tokyo.jp. The facility also has spectator seating, meeting rooms, and a health fitness consultation room, making it suitable for everything from individual workouts to sports tournaments. Managed by a designated operator (Owens/NTT Facilities Group) on behalf of Nerima City, the operator’s official website provides up-to-date information on schedules and programs.

• Location & Access: 4-1-4 Hikarigaoka, Nerima-ku, Tokyo 179-0072. A 5-minute walk from Hikarigaoka Station (Toei Ōedo Line, Exit A3)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. It’s also accessible by bus from Narimasu Station (Tōbu Tōjō Line) or Hōya Station (Seibu Ikebukuro Line)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. A paid parking lot with 18 spaces is available (¥200 for the first hour, ¥100 per additional 30 minutes)city.nerima.tokyo.jp.
• Hours: Open 9:00–21:30 dailycity.nerima.tokyo.jp. Closed on the second Monday of each month (or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday) and year-end/New Year (Dec 29–Jan 3)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. Note: The pool is reserved for disabled users every Friday 16:30–19:00, during which it’s closed to the general publiccity.nerima.tokyo.jp.
• Fees: Extremely affordable. For example, the heated pool is ¥200 per hour for adultscity.nerima.tokyo.jp, and the training gym (weight room) is ¥200 for a 2-hour sessioncity.nerima.tokyo.jp (seniors 65–74 half price, children and 75+ free)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. Open-gym sessions in the arena cost about ¥100–300 per use depending on the time slotcity.nerima.tokyo.jp. Payment is via ticket machines, which as of 2024 support cashless paymentsiwasetakeshi.net (e.g., transit IC cards).
• Multilingual Support: Most signage is in Japanese, but some pictograms and English labels are provided. The front-desk staff mainly speak Japanese, but some basic English assistance may be possible. The official website is Japanese-only, but it can be automatically translated into English, Chinese, etc. via the site’s toolcity.nerima.tokyo.jp.
• Official Website: [Nerima City Hikarigaoka Gymnasium page]city.nerima.tokyo.jpcity.nerima.tokyo.jp (Japanese). The operator also provides a separate website with facility calendars and program information.
• Reservations: No reservation is needed for individual use of the gym or pool – you can simply walk in during open hours. However, before using the training room for the first time, you must attend a brief orientation at the facility and register (eligible if you reside, work, or study in Nerima and are 15 or older)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. For sports like basketball or badminton, you can join open-use sessions on designated days by signing up at the reception on the day. To rent the entire arena or courts for private group use, book in advance through the ward’s public facility reservation systemcity.nerima.tokyo.jp.
• Etiquette & Tips: When using the gym or arena, be sure to bring indoor-only athletic shoes (street shoes are not allowed on the courts). In the pool, you must wear a swim cap and shower before entering. Peak times are weekday evenings and weekend afternoons; the gym is especially busy around 18:00–20:00 on weekdays with people coming after work. Share equipment considerately, and if you’re not confident with Japanese, just observing and following others’ lead will help you navigate without problems.

2. Heiwadai Gymnasium (平和台体育館)

Heiwadai Gymnasium is a sports facility in the Heiwadai area of Nerima Ward, not far from Hikarigaoka. It offers a modest-sized arena (enough for 2 volleyball courts, 2 basketball courts, or 6 badminton courts), 15 table tennis tables, a 20-person training room, and a 25-meter heated pool with 6 lanes (plus a children’s pool)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. Managed by the Tokyo Dome Group & Oizumi Swallow joint venture, it has a local, community-focused feelcity.nerima.tokyo.jp. Many neighborhood residents exercise here, creating a friendly atmosphere.

• Location & Access: 2-12-5 Heiwadai, Nerima-ku, Tokyo 179-0083. About a 15-minute walk from Heiwadai Station (Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō/Fukutoshin Line, Exit 2)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. It’s roughly 20 minutes on foot from Tobu Nerima Station (Tōbu Tōjō Line). Buses are also available from Nerima Station or Hikarigaoka Station (Kokusai Kōgyō Bus); get off at Heiwadai 2-chōme or Heiwadai Post Office stop, which are 1–5 minutes on footcity.nerima.tokyo.jp. A small paid parking lot (15 spaces, ¥200/1h, then ¥100/30min) is availablecity.nerima.tokyo.jp.
• Hours: Open 9:00–21:30city.nerima.tokyo.jp; closed on 2nd Mondays and New Year holidays (same schedule as others). The pool is closed to general users on Wednesdays 17:00–19:30 for disabled swimmer prioritycity.nerima.tokyo.jp.
• Fees: Same standard rates as Hikarigaoka (adult pool ¥200/hour, gym ¥200/2 hours, etc.)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. Ticket machines here were upgraded in 2024 to support cashless payments and no longer accept old coupon tickets. Discounts (senior half-price, etc.) are the same across all facilities.
• Multilingual Support: Signs are mostly in Japanese, but pool rules are posted in English as well. While staff may not speak much English, basic inquiries with gestures or simple words are often understood. Official information is on Nerima’s Japanese websitecity.nerima.tokyo.jp, which you can translate via your browser.
• Official Website: [Nerima City Heiwadai Gymnasium page]city.nerima.tokyo.jpcity.nerima.tokyo.jp (Japanese). Further details are on the operator’s website (Tokyo Dome Group).
• Reservations: No reservation is required for individual use (pool, gym, table tennis, etc.). If using the training room for the first time, take the on-site orientation and register at the Heiwadai Gym reception (offered anytime)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. Only if you want to reserve the entire gymnasium for exclusive use do you need to apply in advance via the ward’s system.
• Etiquette & Tips: As with other facilities, bring indoor shoes. The training room here is smaller (20-person capacity), so you might need to wait during busy timescity.nerima.tokyo.jp. Be courteous and limit your time on equipment when others are waiting. Also, follow all safety rules in the pool (no diving, etc.) for a safe experience.

3. Kamishakujii Gymnasium (上石神井体育館)

Kamishakujii Gymnasium is located in the Kamishakujii area in eastern Nerima Ward. It’s conveniently about an 8-minute walk from Kamishakujii Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line), making it popular with local schools and clubs. The arena can host 2 volleyball courts, 2 (practice) basketball courts, or 6 badminton courts, and up to 15 ping-pong tablescity.nerima.tokyo.jp. There’s also a training room (capacity 25) and a 25m indoor pool (6 lanes + kiddie pool, capacity 260)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. Managed by the Mainichi/Shutoken/Nerima joint venture, the facility actively uses customer surveys to improve service quality.

• Location & Access: 1-32-37 Kamishakujii, Nerima-ku, Tokyo 177-0044. About an 8-minute walk from Kamishakujii Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line, South Exit)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. It’s also accessible by bus from Shakujii-kōen or Ōizumi-gakuen Station (Seibu Ikebukuro Line): get off at Suidōbashi or Tatenohashi stop and walk a few minutescity.nerima.tokyo.jp. Parking is limited to 8 spaces (1 for handicapped), so public transport is recommendedcity.nerima.tokyo.jp.
• Hours: Open 9:00–21:30; closed 2nd Mondays and Dec 29–Jan 3city.nerima.tokyo.jp. The pool is closed on Thursdays 17:00–19:30 for disability priority usecity.nerima.tokyo.jp.
• Fees: Same individual rates as other facilities (pool ¥200/hour, gym ¥200/2h, etc.)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. In 2024, new ticket machines were introduced here as well, supporting transit IC cards and other cashless payments.
• Multilingual Support: Signage is mainly Japanese, but basic English labels and international pictograms are provided so first-time visitors won’t get lost. No English brochures are available, but staff will kindly try to help with gestures or a translation app if needed.
• Official Website: [Nerima City Kamishakujii Gymnasium page]city.nerima.tokyo.jpcity.nerima.tokyo.jp (Japanese). Latest notices are also posted on the operator’s websitecity.nerima.tokyo.jp.
• Reservations: For individual gym or pool use, just drop in (first-time training room users need orientation/registration)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. Public open-gym days are first-come, first-served on the day. For group facility rentals, reserve in advance through the ward’s system.
• Etiquette & Tips: Again, indoor shoes are required. Use the shared locker rooms and showers efficiently so everyone can have a turn. Since Kamishakujii Gym is in a residential area, please keep noise down when leaving at night. The pool has a kiddie section, but note that infants who are not potty-trained are not allowed in the pools.

4. Ōizumi-Gakuenchō Gymnasium (大泉学園町体育館)

Ōizumi-Gakuenchō Gymnasium is located in the Ōizumi Gakuenchō area of northwestern Nerima Ward. It’s one of the newer sports facilities in the ward, with well-maintained equipment. It has a relatively large training room (capacity 35, with many machines) and a meeting room for up to 60 peoplecity.nerima.tokyo.jp. The arena can accommodate 2 basketball practice courts, 2 volleyball courts, 6 badminton courts, and up to 16 table tennis tablescity.nerima.tokyo.jp. A 25m pool (6 lanes, 1.2–1.4m depth) and a kiddie pool are also available, with a capacity of 260 swimmerscity.nerima.tokyo.jp. The facility is managed by the Mizuno Group (a major sports equipment company), leveraging private-sector expertisecity.nerima.tokyo.jp.

• Location & Access: 5-14-24 Ōizumi-Gakuenchō, Nerima-ku, Tokyo 178-0061. The nearest station is Ōizumi-gakuen (Seibu Ikebukuro Line), but it’s about 2.5 km away (a 30-minute walk). From the station’s north exit, take a Seibu bus (toward Nagakubo, Narimasu Station South, Asaka Station, etc.) and get off at Ōizumi Yūbinkyoku (Ōizumi Post Office) bus stop, then walk ~6 minutes, or get off at Sakashita stop and walk ~8 minutescity.nerima.tokyo.jp. The Nerima “Midori” community bus also stops near the facility: get off at Ōizumi-Gakuenchō Taiikukan Nishi stop and walk 2 minutescity.nerima.tokyo.jp. There are 25 parking spaces (2 accessible), so driving is also an optioncity.nerima.tokyo.jp.
• Hours: Open 9:00–21:30; closed 2nd Mondays and year-end holidayscity.nerima.tokyo.jp. The pool is reserved for disabled users every Tuesday 17:00–19:30 (except holidays)city.nerima.tokyo.jp.
• Fees: Same as other gyms (pool ¥200/hour, gym ¥200/2h, etc.)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. Ticket machines support cashless payment. Note that Ōizumi-Gakuenchō has no monthly membership; it’s pay-per-use. Previously, coupon booklets (11 entries for ¥1000) were sold, but they were discontinued with the new ticket system.
• Multilingual Support: Most signage is in Japanese, but because Mizuno operates this facility, some user reports mention that certain pamphlets include English notes. Some staff have experience at international sporting events and can handle basic English conversation. However, full English service isn’t guaranteed, so consider calling ahead with questions or using a translation app on-site for peace of mind.
• Official Website: [Nerima City Ōizumi-Gakuenchō Gymnasium page]city.nerima.tokyo.jpcity.nerima.tokyo.jp (Japanese). A page on Mizuno’s website also provides schedules and newscity.nerima.tokyo.jp.
• Reservations: No booking needed for individual use (gym, pool, or open arena sessions). As usual, the training room requires a one-time orientation/registrationcity.nerima.tokyo.jp. For group use of facilities, submit a reservation request through the ward’s system in advance.
• Etiquette & Tips: This gym is in a quiet residential area, so be mindful of noise if you drive early or late. Share equipment and tables politely; if people are waiting, take turns. The pool is relatively quiet in the mornings (family usage increases in the afternoon), so morning visits can be a good choice.

5. Nakamura-Minami Sports Exchange Center (中村南スポーツ交流センター)

Nakamura-Minami Sports Exchange Center is a relatively new multi-purpose sports facility opened in 2019 in the Nakamura-Minami area of Nerima Ward. As the name suggests, it functions as a community exchange hub in addition to being a gymnasium. It has similar facilities to the other gyms: a multi-purpose arena for 2 volleyball courts, 2 basketball courts, or 6 badminton courts, a martial arts hall (judo area with 72 mats, and a kendo floor), a fitness gym (capacity 40) with some senior-friendly machines, and a 25m heated pool with 6 lanes (plus a walking pool, shallow kids’ pool, and jacuzzi)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. There are retractable bleachers with 240 seats and even a stage, so it can host sports competitions and eventscity.nerima.tokyo.jp. Managed by the Tokyo Dome Group, it also serves as a distribution center for Nerima’s sports facility user cardscity.nerima.tokyo.jp.

• Location & Access: 1-2-32 Nakamura-Minami, Nerima-ku, Tokyo 176-0025. About a 15-minute walk from Nerima Station (Seibu Ikebukuro Line / Toei Ōedo Line, North Exit)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. From Nerima Station, you can also take a Keio bus (toward Nakano Station) to Nanzōin stop (6 min walk), or a Kanto bus (Minami-Nanzōin loop) to Nakamura-Minami Sports Kōryū Center stop (2 min walk)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. It’s about a 13-minute walk from Toritsu-Kasei Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. A fairly large paid parking lot (30 spaces, open 7:00–22:00, ¥200/1h) is availablecity.nerima.tokyo.jp.
• Hours: Open 9:00–21:30; closed 2nd Mondays and New Year’s holidayscity.nerima.tokyo.jp. The pool is closed to general swimmers every Tuesday 17:00–19:30 for disabled access hourscity.nerima.tokyo.jp.
• Fees: Follows the standard fee structure (pool ¥200/hour, gym ¥200/2h, etc.)city.nerima.tokyo.jp. The new cashless ticket machines are in use here as well, and old prepaid cards have been phased out.
• Multilingual Support: Being new, the signage is very visual and user-friendly. The front desk has an “Information” sign in English to assist foreign users. Some staff have volunteered at international events and can handle simple English conversations. Official info is only in Japanese, but like other facilities, the website can be viewed in various languages via auto-translatecity.nerima.tokyo.jp.
• Official Website: [Nerima City Nakamura-Minami Sports Exchange Center page]city.nerima.tokyo.jpcity.nerima.tokyo.jp (Japanese). Detailed monthly schedules and program guides are also available on the operator’s sitecity.nerima.tokyo.jp.
• Reservations: For individual visits, you can simply go and sign in. The training room requires the same first-time registration (orientation) as otherscity.nerima.tokyo.jp. Check the sports calendar for open arena times and arrive early for those (first-come basis). For group rentals, book in advance.
• Etiquette & Tips: As a new facility, it’s kept extremely clean. Users are expected to do their part, e.g., put away equipment after use and wipe down machines if needed. In particular, the attached jacuzzi in the pool area is for relaxation, so avoid monopolizing it or speaking loudly so everyone can enjoy. The entire facility is non-smoking (no smoking area on-site), so please take note.

We’ve introduced five public sports facilities in Nerima Ward that are easy for foreign residents to use. All of these gyms offer cheap pay-as-you-go access, and once you complete any initial registration, you can drop by whenever it suits your schedule. In your life in Japan, try to make time for recreation and exercise in addition to work or study by using these sports centers. Physical activity will not only help relieve stress, but may also lead to interactions with local people. There might be a language barrier at first, but communication through sports goes beyond words. We encourage you to step out, give these facilities a try, and enjoy a fulfilling, active lifestyle in Japan!