By How to Live in JAPAN 編集部 
If you are a foreigner living in Japan for a few months or years, are you incorporating recreation and exercise into your daily life? In Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, there are many municipal gymnasiums and sports centers open for residents to use. These public facilities can be used at very low cost and offer opportunities for various activities such as gym workouts, swimming in pools, and sports like basketball, badminton, table tennis, and volleyball. Matsudo City’s sports facilities are relatively easy for foreign residents to use, and they can be a great ally in helping you maintain a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle during your stay in Japan.
In this article, we introduce 5 city-operated gymnasiums and sports facilities in Matsudo that are especially user-friendly for foreign residents. For each facility, we cover the location and access, hours of operation, fees, and available amenities, as well as information on how to use the facilities, etiquette, and other tips. Let’s get active and enrich your life in Japan by establishing a regular exercise routine in your local community!
1. Kakinokidai Park Gymnasium (柿ノ木台公園体育館)
This is a municipal gym located in central Matsudo City. It’s a comprehensive indoor sports center with a main arena, training room, small gymnasium, multi-purpose room, and more, accommodating both individual exercise and group sports. The main arena is spacious enough for two basketball courts side by side, allowing sports like basketball, volleyball, and badminton to be played. There is also a fully equipped fitness training room with cardio and weight machines (note: first-time users of the training room are required to attend a short orientation session for safety).
- Location & Access: Address: 594-7 Matsudo, Matsudo City. From Matsudo Station (West Exit), take a Keisei bus and get off at the “Matsudo-Nichu” stop (near Matsudo No.2 Junior High School); from there it’s about a 9-minute walk.
- Hours: 9:00–21:00 (9 AM – 9 PM).
- Closed: 4th Monday of each month (or next day if that Monday is a holiday); also closed over New Year’s (Dec 29 – Jan 4).
- Facilities: Main arena (large indoor court, ~2 basketball courts in size), small gymnasium, playroom, multi-purpose room, training room (gym area, available after completing an orientation), meeting rooms, etc.
- Fees: Extremely affordable. For individual use, adults pay about ¥320 for 2 hours and children (elementary/junior high) ¥100. The training room is also ¥320 per session. Note: Non-residents of Matsudo City are charged double these rates. Group (private) reservations of courts are available at low hourly rates as well.
- Official Website: Matsudo City Gymnasiums Official Website – Kakinokidai Park Gymnasium page (Japanese).
2. Wanagaya Sports Center (和名ヶ谷スポーツセンター)
The Wanagaya Sports Center in Matsudo’s Wanagaya district is a large sports complex featuring the city’s biggest indoor heated swimming pool facility. Its year-round indoor pool area (with a standard 25m lap pool, a lazy river pool, and a toddler pool) is a major attraction, allowing you to enjoy swimming even outside of summer. In addition, the center includes a gymnasium hall for indoor sports like basketball or badminton, an indoor gateball court, a fitness training room, and even a public bath with a hot tub. It’s a comprehensive sports center that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults, making it popular for families as well.
- Location & Access: Address: 1360 Wanagaya, Matsudo City. From Matsudo Station (East Exit), take a Shin-Keisei bus from stop #1 (either the route bound for Shin-Tokyo Hospital or the route for Mitsuya Kodai via Shin-Tokyo Hospital) and get off at the “Wanagaya Sports Center” stop (right in front of the facility). If coming by car, parking is available (around 150 spaces in total across multiple parking lots).
- Hours: 9:00–21:00 (the public bath is available from 12:30–20:00).
- Closed: 3rd Monday of each month (if it falls on a holiday, closed the next day instead); also closed during New Year’s holidays (Dec 29 – Jan 4, and the pool is closed until Jan 5).
- Facilities: Indoor heated swimming pools (open year-round: a 25-meter, 7-lane pool; a flowing “lazy river” pool; and a toddler pool), gymnasium hall (indoor sports court, approx. one basketball court size), indoor gateball field, training room (fitness gym), public bath (with showers and hot tub), Japanese-style rooms, multi-purpose hall, etc.
- Fees: Very inexpensive. For example, individual use of the gymnasium is ¥300 per 2 hours for adults (¥100 for children). The pool costs ¥300 for the first hour (adult) plus ¥150 per additional 30 minutes (children ¥100 for first hour + ¥50 per extra 30 min). The bath facility is ¥410 for adults and ¥200 for children (and seniors 60+). The training room and multi-purpose hall are around ¥300 per 2 hours (adult). Note: Separate group rental fees apply for private reservations.
- Official Website: Matsudo City Official Website – Wanagaya Sports Center page (Japanese).
- Special Notes: When using the pool, you must wear a swim cap (this is a common rule in Japan). Also, be mindful that if you have tattoos, you should cover them; some public pools and baths in Japan may restrict entry to those with visible tattoos.
3. Koganehara Gymnasium (小金原体育館)
The Koganehara Gymnasium is a community sports hall in the Koganehara area of Matsudo, convenient for those living around Kita-Kogane or Yabashira. Its main arena is over 1,000 m² in size, which can accommodate one basketball or volleyball court, or multiple badminton courts. There is also a small gymnasium room and a playroom, which can be used for activities like table tennis, dance practice, or martial arts. Meeting rooms and Japanese-style tatami rooms are available as well, supporting local club activities and events. There is no dedicated weight training gym here, but the spacious arena allows for plenty of room to enjoy sports and exercise.
- Location & Access: Address: 6-4-1 Koganehara, Matsudo City. From JR Joban Line “Kita-Kogane Station” or Shin-Keisei Line “Yabashira Station”, take a Shin-Keisei bus bound for Koganehara Danchi (housing complex) and get off at “Gyosei Center Mae” stop. The gym is about a 3-minute walk from the stop. A parking lot with about 26 spaces is also available.
- Hours: 9:00–21:00.
- Closed: 4th Monday of each month (or next day if holiday); Dec 29 – Jan 4.
- Facilities: Main arena (~1,027 m²), small gymnasium, playroom, 2 meeting rooms, 2 Japanese-style rooms (tatami rooms), etc.
- Fees: For individual use, adults pay only ¥210 for 2 hours (children ¥50) for the arena or other rooms – a very low cost. Note: Non-residents pay double. Group reservation fees for private use are also available, but remain very reasonable, especially for local resident groups.
- Official Website: Matsudo City Gymnasiums Official Website – Koganehara Gymnasium page (Japanese).
4. Tokiwadaira Gymnasium (常盤平体育館)
The Tokiwadaira Gymnasium is located in the Tokiwadaira area of Matsudo and serves as a hub for sports activities for people living nearby. The arena is about 766 m², roughly the size of one basketball or volleyball court, and is used for local badminton and basketball team practices among other activities. A standout feature of this gym is its dedicated table tennis room of about 219 m², with table tennis tables set up, making it especially popular among ping-pong enthusiasts. It also has a small exercise room and a playroom, suitable for gymnastics, dance, or other light exercises. There is no weight training equipment here, but overall it supports a wide range of indoor sports.
- Location & Access: Address: 1-3 Tokiwadaira Matsubacho, Matsudo City. It’s about a 15-minute walk from either Shin-Keisei Line “Yabashira Station” or “Tokiwadaira Station”. (The facility is located next to the Tokiwadaira sanitation plant.) While it’s a bit of a walk from the station, it is within walking distance. A parking lot (approx. 25 spaces) is available on site as well.
- Hours: 9:00–21:00.
- Closed: 4th Monday of each month (or next day if holiday); Dec 29 – Jan 4.
- Facilities: Main arena (~766 m²), table tennis room (~219 m², with tables), small gymnasium, playroom, meeting room, etc.
- Fees: Similarly low-cost: for individual use, adults pay ¥210 for 2 hours (children ¥50) for the arena, table tennis room, small gym, or playroom. (Non-residents pay double.) Meeting rooms and tatami rooms can also be used for a nominal fee. Even for private full-court reservations, the fees are very affordable compared to typical commercial venues.
- Official Website: Matsudo City Gymnasiums Official Website – Tokiwadaira Gymnasium page (Japanese).
5. Tobu Sports Park (東部スポーツパーク)
Tobu Sports Park is a multi-purpose sports facility located in the eastern part of Matsudo. It is set within a spacious park and includes both indoor and outdoor sports amenities. The indoor gymnasium can be used for sports like basketball, badminton, or volleyball, and is available for casual drop-in use or group reservations. Outdoors, the park features a 25-meter swimming pool (with a children’s pool) that is open during the summer season, as well as a baseball field, and three tennis courts. This allows visitors to enjoy seasonal outdoor sports in addition to indoor gym activities. Being within walking distance of Higashi-Matsudo and Akiyama stations, the park is easily accessible by train, and it’s lively on weekends with families and students.
- Location & Access: Address: 427 Takatsuka Shinden, Matsudo City. About a 15-minute walk from JR Musashino Line / Hokuso Line “Higashi-Matsudo Station” or from Hokuso Line “Akiyama Station”. Alternatively, from Matsudo Station East Exit, you can take a bus bound for the City Higashi-Matsudo Hospital and get off at the “Sports Park” stop, then walk 3 minutes. There is an on-site parking lot, but it tends to fill up on weekends and holidays, so using public transport is recommended.
- Hours: 9:00–21:00 (the pool’s hours are limited to its summer opening period).
- Closed: Mondays (or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday); New Year’s period (Dec 29 – Jan 3).
- Facilities: Gymnasium (indoor sports hall), outdoor swimming pools (25m pool and kiddie pool, summer-only), baseball field, tennis courts (3 courts), park open space, etc.
- Fees: Similar to other facilities, the gym’s individual usage fee is only around ¥200–¥300 for 2 hours per adult. The outdoor pool (summer only) requires a separate admission fee, but it’s just a few hundred yen per person. The baseball field and tennis courts can be reserved for a small hourly fee as well through the city’s reservation system.
- Official Website: Matsudo City Official Website – Tobu Sports Park page (Japanese).
- Note: The outdoor pool is only open in the summer (around July–August). If you want to swim year-round, the indoor heated pool at Wanagaya Sports Center is the place to go.
How to Use These Facilities: Reservations, Etiquette, and Tips
Finally, here are some important points about how to use Matsudo’s gymnasiums and sports facilities, including how to make reservations and the proper etiquette. If you are not familiar with using public sports centers in Japan, rest assured that it’s straightforward as long as you keep the following in mind:
- Reservations & Registration: In general, you do not need a reservation for personal use of facilities, such as working out in a training room, swimming laps in the pool, or joining an open gym session. You can simply go to the facility, buy a usage ticket from the counter or vending machine, and use it on the spot. However, if you want to reserve a facility for exclusive use by a group (for example, booking an entire court for a team practice or a match) or if you want to secure a popular time slot, you should use the Matsudo City Public Facility Online Reservation System. To use this system, you must first register as a user. Registration requires providing your name and address and showing identification (such as a Residence Card or driver’s license) at one of the facility offices for verification. Once registered, you can check availability and make reservations online or at kiosk terminals in the city. If a time slot is not reserved by anyone, it’s often possible to walk in and use the gym space by signing up at the front desk on the day.
- Manners & Rules: When using Japanese gymnasiums, be sure to follow the basic rules of conduct. First and foremost, no outdoor shoes are allowed on indoor courts or in training rooms. Always bring a pair of clean indoor athletic shoes to change into before you play or work out. Also, wear appropriate sportswear (and a swimsuit and swim cap in pools). In most facilities, eating or drinking (except for water or sports drinks in a covered bottle) is not permitted inside the activity areas, so plan to eat only in designated rest areas if needed. After using any equipment or facilities, return things to their original place and wipe down any sweat or moisture with a towel as a courtesy to the next user. Keep noise at a reasonable level, and share the space respectfully with others — for example, if multiple people want to use the same area, take turns or divide the space.
- Important Notes: If you are using a training room (gym area) for the first time, note that many public gyms in Japan require an initial orientation session. At Matsudo’s facilities, staff will show you how to use the machines and explain safety rules (usually in Japanese). Even if you’re not fluent in Japanese, the staff will demonstrate and you can often understand through gestures; consider bringing a Japanese-speaking friend for translation if you’re worried. Also be aware of age restrictions: for example, children may not be allowed to use weight machines or may need adult supervision in certain areas. In pools and bathing areas, as mentioned, tattoos can be an issue; small tattoos should be covered with a swim sleeve or patch. Additionally, other pool rules include no swimming for diaper-wearing infants, no diving in shallow areas, etc., all for safety.
- Getting Help: Don’t hesitate to ask the staff at the facility if you need assistance. In most cases they will speak Japanese only, but you can communicate by pointing to signs or brochures, or by saying the sport or activity you want to do (e.g., “basketball”). Matsudo City’s official website and some facility pamphlets offer guidance through machine translations in English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, etc., which you can refer to beforehand in your native language. If you’re really unsure about something, asking a Japanese friend or coworker to go with you the first time can help.
- Enjoy an Active Lifestyle: Matsudo’s public sports facilities provide high-quality opportunities for exercise at a fraction of the cost of private gyms. We encourage you to make the most of these gyms, pools, and parks. By staying active in your free time and not just working all the time, you’ll improve your health and enrich your life in Japan. So grab your indoor shoes, head to your nearest sports center, and enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle during your stay!