Japan may be an island nation, but a refreshing dip is often closer than the coastline. Whether you crave Olympic-length lanes, towering water-slides, or a wine-infused hot spring, this guide will walk foreign residents and travellers through 2025’s best places to beat the heat, and teach you essential etiquette so you can swim like a koi carp!
Quick View
| Location | Type | City/Area | Opening Period | Ticket Price (From) | Tattoo Policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Summerland | Water Park | Akiruno, Tokyo | 5 Jul – 29 Sep | ¥2,600 | Not allowed (cover with burkini possible) |
| Yomiuriland Pool WAI | Water Park | Inagi, Tokyo | 12 Jul – 3 Sep | ¥3,400 | Not allowed |
| Prince Hotel Garden Pool | Rooftop Hotel Pool | Minato, Tokyo | 16 Jul – 31 Aug | ¥6,500 | Not allowed |
| Citywave Tokyo | Wave Pool (Surfing) | Sakaimachi, Ibaraki | Year-round | ¥10,780 | Not specified |
| Hakone Yunessun | Onsen Theme Park | Kanagawa | Year-round | ¥2,500 | Allowed if covered |
| Tokyo Aquatics Centre | Olympic Sports Pool | Kōtō, Tokyo | Year-round | ¥700 | No clear rule (cover advised) |
| Spa World Osaka | Onsen & Water Park | Osaka | Year-round (Full reopening Aug 2025) | ¥1,500 | Not allowed |
Tokyo Summerland (Akiruno, Tokyo)
This is essentially a theme park for swimmers. With giant slides, obstacle courses, rollercoasters, a wave pool and more. Summerland, as the name suggests, is best enjoyed during warmer months. Be aware that tattoos are forbidden, though women can wear a burkini to cover them up. Tickets must be purchased in advance, as they cannot be bought on the day.
- Ticket prices: From ¥2,600 per person
- Opening period: 5 July to 29 September
Yomiuriland Pool WAI (Inagi, Tokyo)
Short for “Water Amusement Island,” this waterpark aims to bring a taste of the South Pacific to Tokyo. It has five different pools, and eight different water slides, so you’ll never be short on things to do! There is even a night pool experience, just for adults. Once again, tattoos are not permitted.
- Ticket prices: From ¥3,400 per person
- Opening period: 12 July to 3 September
Prince Hotel Garden Pool (Minato, Tokyo)
An outdoor pool in the city, which is something of a rarity, those who are not staying at the hotel can enjoy doing lengths in this pool from 16 July to 31 August. Tickets can be purchased on the day, but be aware that those with tattoos are not permitted entry. Ticket prices start at ¥6,500 per adult.
- Ticket prices: From ¥6,500 per person
- Opening period: 16 July to 31 August
Citywave Tokyo (Sakaimachi, Ibaraki)
This is a specialized wave pool, made for people who are into surfing and similar watersports. You need to book in advance using the reservation system, but this will also guarantee that you get the best experience, whether you’re a total beginner, or a seasoned pro looking to get in some practice.
- Ticket prices: From ¥10,780 per person
- Opening period: Year-round
Hakone Yunessun (Kanagawa)
Less of a swimming pool, more of an “onsen theme park.” There are a number of heated pools, as well as a regular paddling pool, and sauna. There are many different types of bath, including coffee and red wine baths. Tickets can be purchased on the day, and unlike many onsen, swimsuits are necessary. Those with tattoos may enter if they are covered up.
- Ticket prices: From ¥2,500 per person
- Opening period: Year-round
Tokyo Aquatics Centre (Kōtō, Tokyo)
Built for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, this pool has been open to the public since 2023. It has two pools, as well as a diving pool, so those who want to do some serious athletic swimming practice should front crawl their way here. Tickets can be purchased on the day, and are very affordable. There is no guidance regarding tattoos, so consider covering them.
- Ticket prices: From ¥700 per person
- Opening period: Year-round
Spa World Osaka (Osaka)
Currently undergoing renovations across many of its baths, it is aiming to fully reopen in August. It will definitely be something to look forward to, as this place has numerous onsen style baths, with European and Asian themes (access for the two areas a between men and women every month), stone sauna, and amusement pools with a number of slides and other attractions. Tickets can be bought on the day, and tattoos are forbidden.
- Ticket prices: From ¥1,500 per person
- Opening period: Year-round (Reopening in August 2025)
Understanding Japan’s Pool Landscape
Japan offers four distinct pool categories, so knowing which one fits your mood will save time and money.
1. Year-Round Indoor Sports Centres
Most major cities subsidise indoor complexes featuring 25m or 50m lanes, kids’ areas, and charge only modest entry fees (¥400–¥800). Tokyo Aquatics Centre tops the list with ten Olympic-spec lanes, spectator seating, and English signage. Similar facilities operate in Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Nagoya, guaranteeing a swim throughout the year.
2. Summer-Only Outdoor Water Parks
Mid-July to early-September is the high season. Tokyo Summerland and Yomiuriland now use timed tickets to control crowds, while Rainbow Pool lets visitors roam Showa Kinen Park in swimwear, turning a pool day into a full outdoor adventure. Peak weekends sell out a week ahead, so it’s a good idea tobook online in advance.
3. Wave Pools for Surf Enthusiasts
If you’d rather ride than float, Citywave Tokyo delivers a consistent standing wave, with coached sessions for first-timers all the way to pros. Under a glass dome, Tokyo Summerland’s Surf Deck pumps out artificial breakers rain or shine.
4. Onsen-Style Hot Pools
Prefer soaking to counting strokes? Hakone Yunessun heats mineral spring water to bath temperature, infusing tubs with sake, green tea, or chocolate essences, among other scents. Spa World Osaka celebrates its 25th anniversary in August 2025 with freshly remodelled “Global Spa” zones, ideal for rainy-season relaxation.
When to Swim: Seasons and Night Events
Outdoor pools remain shuttered until the rainy season ends (around 7 July) and close once schools restart (early Sep). Some parks extend their openings to the first weekend of October if the summer heat lingers. From late July to late August, select hotels host “night pools,” with DJ sets, LED floats, and cooler evening air from roughly 18:00.
Regional quirks matter: Hokkaidō’s short summers end in late August, while Kyūshū pools often squeeze in an extra fortnight.
Essential Etiquette for Foreign Swimmers
Dress Code and Swim Caps
Swim caps are compulsory almost everywhere, even for casual paddling. Pre-swim showers are enforced, and lap lanes may require fitted rash guards instead of bikinis.
Tattoo Policies
Municipal and hotel pools may refuse entry for visible ink. Cover small designs with skin-tone patches or a burkini. Alternatively, choose tattoo-friendly venues like Yunessun, or hotel resorts that advertise relaxed rules.
Hourly Safety Breaks
Listen for a whistle at the top of each hour: everyone exits for a five-minute lifeguard change and water-quality check, an efficiency-minded Japanese tradition.
Planning Your Visit in 2025
Ticketing and Costs
- Public pools: ¥400 to ¥800
- Large water parks: ¥2,500 to ¥6,000 (online discounts common)
- Rooftop hotel pools: ¥4,000 to ¥10,000, often with a drink coupon
Reserve online whenever possible: Tokyo Summerland and Yomiuriland refuse walk-ins on peak days.
Finding Nearby Pools
Type “区営プール” (“ward pool”) into Google Maps for local options. Tokyo’s SpoTicket app shows live lane availability, while some hotels like the Prince Park Tower sell “pool-only” day passes in English.
Accessibility Updates
Tokyo Aquatics Centre features poolside lifts and gender-neutral changing rooms, part of the city’s post-Olympic legacy. Osaka’s Asue Pool added elevators and family cabins in April 2025.
Gear Checklist
Bring a cap, goggles, ¥100 coin for lockers, and a small towel. Rentals cost ¥300 to ¥600. Outside flotation rings may be size-restricted, so check each venue’s FAQ.
Japan’s 2025 pool line-up spans glass-roofed wave machines, rooftop skyline dips, and sake-infused hot springs. Peak outdoor fun is packed into mid-July to early September, so secure tickets early, pack a swim cap and tattoo cover, and respect the hourly whistle. Whether you’re chasing lap times or coffee-colored bubbles, Japan has a splash for every style and season.
