Finding a Gym as a Foreigner in Japan: A (Somewhat Unexpected) Guide
A question we never thought we’d need to answer: Where do we work out while in Japan? But once we decided to leave our lives behind for almost half a year and embark on a full-throttle adventure in Japan, we were suddenly overwhelmed by questions we’d never anticipated.
Since both of us are fitness enthusiasts, there was no way we’d go half a year without getting a good workout in—especially not in a country famous for its mouthwatering food (hello, sushi and ramen!). The problem was, the more we researched gym options in Japan, the more confused we became.
But after months of research, planning, and actually stepping foot in a few gyms, we now have answers! We’re here to ease your worries and help you make the right decision for your fitness needs during your Japan trip. Let’s dive in!
Public Gym vs. Private Gym: What's the Best Option?
Public Gyms
Japan has a great selection of gyms—thankfully. The Japanese take their health seriously, so you’ll never be short on fitness options.
While public gyms are a budget-friendly option—often completely free—there are some factors to keep in mind.
For one, unlike the private chains that you’ll find in nearly every city, public gyms tend to be more localized and might not be as conveniently located near tourist spots or major neighborhoods. So, depending on where you're staying, you may need to travel a bit further to find one. And while that’s not a dealbreaker, it’s something to consider if convenience is key for you.
Another thing to note: public gyms are often less accustomed to catering to foreigners. Language barriers might come up when you're trying to understand how the equipment works or when signing up for a membership (if that's necessary). Additionally, the staff may not always speak English, so it’s a good idea to brush up on some basic Japanese phrases or rely on translation apps to get by.
That said, don’t let that deter you—Japan is generally friendly and helpful, so with a bit of patience, you’ll likely manage just fine.
Private Gyms
Now, let’s talk about private gyms. These gyms are more common across Japan, particularly the large chains, and they're found in nearly every major city. If you're traveling between cities or staying in a more urban area, you'll find that the convenience of a private gym—especially a chain like Anytime Fitness, Gold’s Gym, or Tipness—can’t be beaten. Many chains have multiple locations, so it’s easier to find one wherever you go, making it perfect for travelers or long-term visitors like us.
In terms of services, private gyms often offer more than public ones. This can include everything from top-of-the-line equipment to group fitness classes and extended hours. And while they’re not free (they’ll usually require a membership), they tend to be more welcoming to foreigners, with English-speaking staff or at least English contracts to help you navigate the process.
However, with these added comforts comes a price. Private gyms can be on the expensive side, especially in big cities like Tokyo or Osaka, so keep that in mind. Think around 45 euros per month per person for the more affordable ones.
Gym Etiquette
Before you start lifting weights or hopping on the treadmill, it’s good to know a bit about Japanese gym etiquette. The Japanese are all about respect and cleanliness—so expect to follow a few rules.
Wiping down your equipment after use is a MUST. You’ll likely be provided with a towel or disinfecting wipes, so no excuses! Additionally, some gyms may have shoe-free zones, so you might have to change into indoor gym shoes.
And a friendly tip: don’t be that person who is excessively loud while lifting weights. Japan is all about maintaining a calm atmosphere, and that includes at the gym. So, no grunting like you're in the middle of a heavy set (unless you want to make some awkward friends). Also keep in mind that filming is a no go inside Japanese gyms and if you have tattoos, like Sara does, make sure they are covered while you do your workout.
So, What Did We End Up Choosing and Recommend?
If you’re like us and planning to stay in Japan for an extended period while hopping from city to city, we definitely recommend looking into private gyms, specifically the larger chains like Anytime Fitness and Gold’s Gym. After doing a lot of research, we ended up choosing Anytime Fitness, and here's why:
24/7 Access: One of the main reasons we went with Anytime Fitness is their 24/7 model. No matter what time of day or night you feel like hitting the gym, you can do so without worrying about restricted hours. This is perfect option if you're on a jam-packed travel schedule like us.
Nationwide Availability: Anytime Fitness has locations all over Japan, which is incredibly convenient if you’re hopping between cities. This means no matter where you are, you’re likely to find an Anytime Fitness nearby. You can even work out at any location in the country with a single membership—perfect for the traveling fitness enthusiast.
Flexible Contracts: Now, about the contracts—this is where things get interesting. The longest membership you can get for a simple one-time payment is 2 months. After that, if you want to stay longer, you’ll need to sign up for a regular membership, which requires linking your membership to a credit card or Japanese bank account for monthly billing. Since you likely don’t have a Japanese bank account, the credit card option is your go-to. The good news is there’s no minimum membership period for regular memberships, so you can cancel whenever you need to. Just make sure to cancel before you leave Japan. Normally, you’ll need to do this at the location where you signed up, but there is an option to transfer your ‘home’ gym to another location. However, that can be a bit of a hassle, so it’s best to stick to the original location if you can.
Pre-Check Locations: Before you even arrive, you can easily check out their website to find the Anytime Fitness locations near your hotels or accommodations. This way, you can plan your workouts in advance and ensure you’re never far from a gym.
Language Barrier Tip: While Anytime Fitness is quite foreigner-friendly, we still recommend learning a few basic Japanese phrases to make the process smoother when signing up. Knowing how to say things like "I’d like to sign up for a membership" or "Do you have English?" can help you avoid any potential confusion.
Here’s the catch: You can only cancel your membership at the end of the month. So if you want your membership to end, say, on December 31st, you’ll need to request cancellation by December 10th. If you already know when you’ll be leaving, you can simply request cancellation for that date when you sign up, which will save you some time and hassle down the road. If not, you can simply send an email to your home gym and request cancellation. Keep in mind that your home gym automatically changes if you stay in one place for more than 2 months as well!
In short, what we learned with this adventure was, if you want a flexible, accessible, and convenient gym experience while traveling around Japan, Anytime Fitness is a solid choice. It was definitely the best fit for us, when it came to price, locations, gym equipment and contract conditions, and we think it could be for you too!
Hopefully this information will help you navigate the confusing chanllenge that is finding a gym option in Japan as a foreigner!
Until then, keep waddling! 🦆
