3 Swimming Spots Perfect for Summer Fun Around Tokyo

Summer in Japan can get pretty hot and sticky, and while the shady grounds of a temple or shrine are a welcome relief, there's nothing more refreshing than a day in the water! Whether you're knocking out a few laps in a deep pool, enjoying the ocean spray at one of Japan's many beaches, or splashing around at a waterpark, Japan has plenty of places to cool down and go for a leisurely swim - including quite a few that are easy day trips from the convenience of Tokyo.

Many local pools in Japan require specific gear (like cute swimming caps), but you don't need anything special for the three swimming spots we're recommending today. Grab a big fluffy towel (we're all for rocking a big anime towel with your favorite character on it), throw on your swimsuit (for a touch of Japanese style, Japanese bikinis tend to be somewhat frilly, flowy, and retro, while Japanese trunks are often pretty clean and simple), and make sure to slather on a good layer of Japanese sunscreen. Now you're all ready to enjoy your swimming day in Japan!

Placed squarely on the border between Tokyo and the neighboring city of Kawasaki, the Yomiuriland amusement park has been a favorite for Tokyo locals for over half a century, and in recent years the park's waterpark has become a go-to destination on hot summer days. Pool Wai, as the waterpark is called, has five different pools, including open areas perfect for swimming, a broad wave pool that also acts as the stage for performances, and a popular lazy river. Plus, there are three different water slides of varying shapes and sizes, and plenty of fun events throughout the day. Even after getting out of the water, visitors who head over to the "Bandit" rollercoaster in main amusement park area can enjoy sprays of water directed at riders as they zip through the air - a special summer bonus.

Pool Wai at Yomiuriland Amusement Park (よみうりランド・プールWAI)
4015-1 Yanokuchi, Inagi, Tokyo
Calendar & Hours | Admission Fees
Official Yomiuriland Website (en) / Pool Wai Official Page (en)
* Unfortunately, Pool Wai clearly states that they don't allow tattooed customers to swim at the park, so inked travelers without a foolproof plan to keep things covered will want to choose another destination.

How do you take a waterpark and make it extra Japanese? Just use onsen water! Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, a couple hours from Tokyo by train or bus, is part hot springs resort and part water park, with onsen-water jungle gym playground areas, onsen-water swimming pools, and - their most famous feature - onsen baths made in all kinds of "flavors," from red wine to green tea. Unlike at most onsen baths, bathers at Hakone Kowakien Yunessun wear bathing suits, meaning it's also a good spot for families and groups of friends who want to experience Japanese hot springs together, and just anyone who's uncomfortable with getting naked in front of others. The inherent heat of onsen water, warmed by the geothermal activity and volcanoes that simmer under the calm of Japan's countryside, makes this destination popular even in cooler months, but some of the cool baths are regularly refreshed with giant ice cubes! If you're looking for a uniquely Japanese way to play in the water this summer, you're not likely to find a more interesting spot than Hakone Kowakien Yunessun. 

If you prefer the wind, waves, and saltwater of the ocean to chlorinated pools or warm onsen, well, Japan is an island country, and there are plenty of beaches to choose from! One of the most popular swimming destinations in the region around Japan's capital is the section of seashore facing south onto Sagami Bay, found in Kanagawa Prefecture due southwest of Tokyo. The beaches of Kamakura, Enoshima, Zushi, and Hayama are just a little over an hour from central Tokyo, and on sunny days the stretches with calmer waters are packed with families and groups of friends, floating in the surf and splashing in the waves, while neighboring beaches with higher waves attract scores of surfers who stick around from sunup to sundown. Kamakura's most popular beaches (like Yuigahama) tend to get pretty crowded because they're so convenient and accessible, and the lively atmosphere can be fun if that's what you're looking for, but swimmers looking for a quieter day at the beach might want to look further east, and aim for Hayama.

Feeling the heat in the humid Japanese summer? Ready get away and cool down? Then it might just be time to search out one of these popular swimming destinations around Tokyo! Join the locals for a day away from the heat, and surf the waves of Kanagawa, slip down the waterslides at Yomiuriland's Pool Wai, or soak away in the icy flavored baths of Hakone Kowakien Yunessun! Don't just sweat through the summer in Japan - make the most of it by whiling away the hours with cool ocean spray or big splashy cannonballs, and a few relaxing laps in deeper waters.