Aqua Field Shiba Park — Local services in Tokyo

Another public pool, another set of random outdated rules that nobody can justify.

I usually wear a Whoop and a Garmin watch to monitor my swim. I removed the watch and kept the Whoop, since it’s not a watch. After my first 25 meters, I was told to remove it anyway. This rule exists in many pools, but no one has ever been able to clearly justify it. Sometimes they say it’s because the device might break—honestly, when was the last time they saw a sports wearable break in a pool? Other times they say it’s to prevent filming. My Whoop doesn’t even have a screen, let alone a camera. Or they claim it could hurt other swimmers—yet they give everyone a large plastic locker-key bracelet that is magically “safe.”

At this pool, you can keep your wearable if it’s covered with a rubber band—one they sell for 650 yen at the shop. That’s more than the entrance fee. Of course they only tell you this after you’ve paid and are already in the pool. Why not rent them out for free, or at least for a refundable deposit? That would support people who want to track their workouts—something you’d expect a sports facility to encourage.

My wife was also asked to remove her Oura ring because “it might break.” I doubt they even knew what it was.

Later, we were told we were swimming too far to the left of the lane. A few minutes after that, staff approached again—this time saying the kids couldn’t be underwater touching the floor (they're junior high schoolers, not exactly toddlers). It felt like lifeguard bingo: a different rule every few minutes.

When I asked who makes these rules, the high-school-aged temporary staff had no clue. They’re just there to enforce rules they can’t explain.

Pools should be encouraging health and exercise, not inventing new ways to annoy people out of it.

And if you’re going to set rules—especially in facilities funded by taxes—make sure you can actually...

I was planning to visit a pool in Tokyo, but upon reading their rules, I was appalled to find out they force individuals to cover their tattoos. This policy is as absurd as not allowing people to wear earrings or prohibiting someone from wearing makeup. Such outdated rules are not only unfair but also a form of discrimination. It’s 2024, and it’s time for these establishments to embrace diversity and respect personal expression. I hope this policy is...

Open every year for about 10 weeks starting July 1 til September 15. All the usual Japanese pool rules apply, i.e. no tattoos, no sunscreen or lotions. Incredibly warm water as the summer heats up - the right 2 lanes are for lap swimming. One of the few 50meter pools in Tokyo.

10 minute breaks every couple of hours for safety checks (possibly every 50 minutes, I forget). No electronic devices permitted, such as Garmins...