3 Swimming Spots Perfect for Summer Fun Around Tokyo
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Feeling the heat in humid Tokyo? Get out of the city, and into the water, at these Tokyo area swimming spots and water parks!
Get Ready to Swim, Splash, and Slide into Summer
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!
➡ Pool Wai at Yomiuriland
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.
➡ Hakone Kowakien Yunessun
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.
➡ The Beaches of Kanagawa
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.
Swimming in Japan
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.
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NAME:Swimming Spots Around Tokyo
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Niseko is about two hours from New Chitose Airport, in the western part of Hokkaido. It's one of Japan's most noted winter resort areas, and a frequent destination for international visitors. That's all because of the super high-quality powder snow, which wins the hearts of beginners and experts alike, bringing them back for repeat visits. That's not all, though, it's also a great place to enjoy Hokkaido's culinary scene and some beautiful onsen (hot springs).
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Fukushima Prefecture sits at the southern tip of Japan's northern Tohoku region, and is divided into three parts with their own different charms: the Coastal Area (Hama-dori), the Central Area (Naka-dori), and the Aizu Area. There's Aizu-Wakamatsu with its Edo-era history and medieval castles, Oze National Park, Kitakata ramen, and Bandai Ski Resort (with its famous powder snow). Fukushima is a beautiful place to enjoy the vivid colors and sightseeing of Japan's beloved four seasons.
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Yamagata Prefecture is up against the Sea of Japan, in the southern part of the Tohoku region, and it's especially popular in winter, when travelers soak in the onsen (hot springs) and ski down snowy slopes. International skiiers are especially fond of Zao Onsen Ski Resort and Gassan Ski Resort, and in recent years visitors have been drawn to the area to see the mystical sight of local frost-covered trees. Some destinations are popular regardless of the season, like Risshakuji Temple, AKA Yamadera, Ginzan Onsen's nostalgic old-fashioned streets, and Zao's Okama Lake, all great for taking pictures. Yamagata is also the place to try Yonezawa beef, one of the top 3 varieties of wagyu beef.
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The Chubu Region (中部地方) is located right in the center of Japan's main island, and consists of 9 prefectures: Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, and Yamanashi. It's primarily famous for its mountains, as the region contains both Mt. Fuji and the Japanese Alps. The ski resorts in Niigata and Nagano also draw visitors from around the world, making it a popular winter destination.
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Nagano Prefecture's popularity starts with a wealth of historic treasures, like Matsumoto Castle, Zenkoji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine, but the highlight might just be the prefecture's natural vistas surrounded by the "Japanese Alps." Nagano's fruit is famous, and there are plenty of places to pick it fresh, and the area is full of hot springs, including Jigokudani Monkey Park―where monkeys take baths as well! Thanks to the construction of the Hokuriku shinkansen line, Nagano is easily reachable from the Tokyo area, adding it to plenty of travel itineraries. And after the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, ski resorts like Hakuba and Shiga Kogen are known around the world.
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Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.
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Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.
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Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.
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Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.
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NARA
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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OSAKA
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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CHUGOKU
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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HIROSHIMA
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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SHIKOKU
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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