Tokyo - Post Report Question and Answers
What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
The gym on the U.S. Embassy compound was decent, not amazing, but did the trick. You must pay the Employee Welfare Association annual membership fee to use it and/or any of the other compound facilities. That price is currently in a state of flux, but the first year for us it was $340 (we are a couple), then dropped to $175, and last I heard is that it may be waived going forward(?). Private gyms on the economy are nice and comparable to U.S. prices. Be prepared to follow Japanese etiquette if you choose to use an offsite gem. - May 2025
Tons of options, not sure what the cost is as the compound has a good set up with a gym, pool and tennis/basketball courts. - Jan 2024
The compound has a gym and also a basketball court, tennis courts and pool. I don't know of anyone who used a gym outside of the compound. - Nov 2020
Compound gym is in a basement and has poor airflow and smells bad but it’s free! Some people treat the equipment with disrespect: for example they work out barefoot (eww!) or don’t clean their machines after use. - Mar 2019
Most use the compound gum - Jun 2018
There are gyms. I get the impression that costs are similar to the US. You may need to cover tattoos in order to work out. - Mar 2018
Decent gym on compound. - Mar 2017
There is a decent gym on the compound. Other facilities are expensive, as supply is limited compared to demand. There are lovely places to bike and run in the city. - Feb 2014
Yes, there's one on the compound and many around town, although I suspect you might pay a small fortune to join. - Apr 2013
yes - Jan 2011
