5 Foreigner-Friendly Sports Facilities in Kita City, Tokyo

Even in the busy city life, engaging in sports activities outside of work or studies can greatly contribute to both physical and mental well-being. Kita City in Tokyo offers many public sports and gymnasium facilities that are accessible to residents and foreign visitors alike. Facilities such as Akabane Gymnasium, Takinogawa Gymnasium, Kirigaoka Gymnasium, Akabane Sports no Mori Park Field, and Kita Sports Ground provide opportunities for a wide variety of sports like gym workouts, basketball, table tennis, badminton, volleyball, and more.

In this article, we introduce 5 carefully selected sports facilities in Kita City that are especially convenient for foreigners residing in Japan for a few months to several years. Each facility includes information on location, access, official website, opening hours, usage fees, reservation procedures, etiquette, and notes. We hope to help enrich your stay in Japan by incorporating recreational activities into your daily life.

Akabane Gymnasium

Location & Access

Address: 3-46-16 Shimo, Kita-ku, Tokyo 115-0042
Access:

• 7-minute walk from Shimo Station (Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, Exit 1)
• 17-minute walk from Akabane Station (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line, East Exit)
• 3-minute walk from “Kitashako-Iriguchi” Bus Stop (Toei Bus)

Official Website

Akabane Gymnasium – Kita City Official Site (Japanese)
The website supports machine translation into English, Chinese, and Korean.

Opening Hours & Holidays

• Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM (Last admission around 8:30 PM)
• Closed: 3rd Monday of every month (following day if Monday is a holiday), year-end and New Year holidays (December 28 – January 4)

Usage Fees

• General Admission: Adults ¥300 / Students under junior high ¥100 / Seniors (65+) & disabled ¥150
• Gym Use: ¥400 per session (High school students and older), half-price for seniors & disabled
• Season Passes: Available only for Kita City residents, workers, or students (monthly, 3-month, 6-month passes)
• Group Use: Reservation required with different fees based on space and time slot

Reservations

• Individual Use: No reservation needed for public sessions; purchase tickets at the vending machine on the day.
• Group Use: Advance group registration required; book via Kita City’s Facility Reservation System. Lottery-based reservations open one month prior.

Etiquette & Notes

• Indoor shoes required (no outdoor shoes allowed inside)
• No eating outside designated areas; only drink from sealed bottles
• Photography and video recording are generally prohibited
• Smoking and alcohol consumption are strictly forbidden
• Handle facility equipment with care and clean up after use
• Report any injuries or damage to staff immediately

Foreign Language Support

• Machine translation available on the official site for basic guidance
• On-site staff mainly speak Japanese; some may understand simple English
• Visual signs and pictograms help guide non-Japanese speakers

Takinogawa Gymnasium

Location & Access

Address: 2-1-6 Nishigahara, Kita-ku, Tokyo 114-0024
Access:

• 5-minute walk from Kaminakazato Station (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line)
• 5-minute walk from Nishigahara Station (Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, Exit 1)

Official Website

Takinogawa Gymnasium – Kita City Official Site (Japanese)

Opening Hours & Holidays

• Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
• Closed: 3rd Monday of every month, year-end holidays (December 28 – January 4)

Usage Fees

• Same as Akabane Gymnasium

Reservations

• Individual Use: No reservations needed for public sessions
• Group Use: Same group registration and reservation system as Akabane Gymnasium

Etiquette & Notes

• Follow indoor shoe policy and general rules as outlined for Akabane Gymnasium
• Follow staff guidance, especially for equipment usage and cleanup

Foreign Language Support

• Machine translation available on the official site
• On-site support similar to Akabane Gymnasium

Kirigaoka Gymnasium

Location & Access

Address: 3-17-57 Akabanedai, Kita-ku, Tokyo 115-0053
Access:

• 15-minute walk from Akabane Station (JR Lines, West Exit)
• By bus: Take Kokusai Kogyo Bus (Red 53 or Red 54) and get off at “Kirigaoka Taiikukan” Bus Stop

Official Website

Kirigaoka Gymnasium – Kita City Official Site (Japanese)

Opening Hours & Holidays

• Same as Akabane Gymnasium

Usage Fees

• Same as Akabane Gymnasium
• Additional archery range available

Reservations

• Individual Use: No reservation needed for public sessions
• Group Use: Same procedure as Akabane Gymnasium

Etiquette & Notes

• Special safety protocols apply when using the archery range
• Do not use shampoo or soap in showers
• Maintain quiet when entering or leaving the facility

Foreign Language Support

• Same as Akabane Gymnasium
• Visual signs available for better understanding

Akabane Sports no Mori Park Field

Location & Access

Address: 5-2-27 Akabane-Nishi, Kita-ku, Tokyo 115-0055
Access:

• 20-minute walk from Akabane Station (JR Lines, North Exit)
• 15-minute walk from Honanuma Station (Toei Mita Line)
• Bus: Take Kokusai Kogyo Bus and get off at “Akabane Shizen Kansatsu Koen” or “HPSC Minami” Bus Stops

Official Website

Akabane Sports no Mori Park Field – Kita City Official Site (Japanese)

Opening Hours & Holidays

• Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Closed: 3rd Tuesday of every month, year-end holidays

Usage Fees

• Individual Soccer Days (Wednesdays): Adults ¥400 / Seniors ¥200 / Children ¥100
• Group Use: From ¥10,840 for morning slots, up to ¥40,700 for full-day use. Night lighting charged separately.

Reservations

• Individual Use: No reservations needed on designated individual-use days
• Group Use: Group registration and lottery reservation required, same as other Kita City facilities

Etiquette & Notes

• Only wear proper sports shoes (no heels or dress shoes allowed on turf)
• Loud cheering or noisy instruments are prohibited
• Clean and maintain the grounds after use
• Parking is limited, use public transportation whenever possible

Foreign Language Support

• Machine translation available on the website
• Sports like soccer allow easy communication beyond language barriers

Kita Sports Ground

Location & Access

Address: 2-47-6 Kamiya, Kita-ku, Tokyo 115-0043
Access:

• 7-minute walk from Shimo Station (Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, Exit 1)
• 12-minute walk from Akabane Station (JR Lines, South Exit)
• Bus: Take Toei Bus and get off at “Kitashako” Bus Stop

Official Website

Kita Sports Ground – Kita City Official Site (Japanese)

Opening Hours & Holidays

• Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Closed: 3rd Monday of every month, year-end holidays

Usage Fees

• Individual Use (Track Access): Adults approx. ¥400, students ¥100
• Group Use: Full-day use ¥32,560; lighting charged separately

Reservations

• Individual Use: No reservation needed for track public sessions
• Group Use: Same lottery system as Akabane Sports no Mori Park Field

Etiquette & Notes

• Observe lane etiquette when running
• Follow safety measures for other active sports on-site
• Restore equipment and facilities after use

Foreign Language Support

• Machine translation available on the website
• International runners frequently use the facility and enjoy cross-cultural communication

These 5 facilities offer affordable, accessible, and well-maintained environments for residents and foreign visitors alike. Whether you’re living in Japan temporarily or long-term, participating in local sports activities is a fantastic way to stay healthy, meet new friends, and enjoy your time in Japan to the fullest.