Arakawa General Sports Center — Attraction in Tokyo

Read if you are not Japanese and want a swim!! I give this a five because the staff were incredibly kind and helpful and the facilities and pool are top notch/ the cleanest I’ve ever seen. However, if like me you are a full time or competitive swimmer looking to train while in Japan this is not the best spot. 1- no overtaking permitted. You are allowed to turn back around however. People won’t stop if you tap their feet. I just did some 25s main set in the end so was fine but not ideal. If your a distance swimmer or want to train here regularly. 2 - no jewellery, no tattoos. I can’t remove my earring yet so had to put tape on it. I don’t have tattoos but imagine that would stop you from swimming. 3 - pay attention to the lanes. Some only let you swim one direction before changing lanes. So look for the two direction lanes. Also the lanes direction change every hour cus why not. 4- every hour there is a ten minute break, on the half hour mark. So turn up at half past for an uninterrupted hour. This is pretty normal, had it at another pool in Japan and even at the Olympic pool in Seoul. Yet to try Tokyo Olympic pool. 5 - no water bottles poolside, have to be in bench. This is the one thing where, perhaps cultural differences aside, it’s not ideal especially since the pool is on the hot side. Perhaps this is why they...

All facilities are quite old, but still could be used. The location is inconvenient, but you ride a bike it could easier to get it. Fitness room [8:00-22:15] 3h/400¥ per person You may also get coupons of 1,300¥ for 1,000¥ and 2,600¥ for 2,000¥. Junior high school students are not allowed to use the fitness room. You may use coin lockers for 100¥ (returnable) You need to bring: indoor shoes, towel, exercising cloth. Drinks without lids are prohibited.

Pool [8:00~22:15] Adults - 2h/500¥ Junior middle school students - 250¥

You can also join the 弓道(Japanese archery), 卓球(table tennis), エアライフル(air rifle), 武道(military art "Bushido"), basketball, badminton, volleyball, etc.

Information desk works until 21:30. Araka Sogo Sport Center works...

Pool itself is decent but info which might be helpful for anyone new to swimming in Japan and wanting to try and train...

You have to get out of the pool for 10 minutes at random times. Lanes are not split by speed and no overtaking is allowed, so swimming at any sort of speed is essentially not possible. Water bottles not allowed at the side of the pool. If you want to wear a watch you have to put a sweat band over it. Water is very warm.

Not sure if this is typical to all pools here but if not you might want to go...