7 Best Foreigner-Friendly Sports Clubs and Gyms in Tokyo (2023)

FAQs

7 Best Foreigner-Friendly Sports Clubs and Gyms in Tokyo? ›

Gold's Gym Japan 2023

If you are a member of Gold's Gym in your own country, you need to ask your local gym in advance if your membership allows you to use the Gold's Gyms in other countries free of charge. It depends on your local Gold's Gym membership, but most of the time it is NOT free outside of your home country.

Gold's Gym Japan 2023

If you are a member of Gold's Gym in your own country, you need to ask your local gym in advance if your membership allows you to use the Gold's Gyms in other countries free of charge. It depends on your local Gold's Gym membership, but most of the time it is NOT free outside of your home country.

Cover your tattoos

Strange as it may seem, many gyms in Japan won't let you inside with exposed tattoos. Tattoos are associated with Yakuza (gangsters), who are often heavily tattooed. The government put this rule in place to keep Yakuza away from the public because they can't specifically say “no Yakuza”.

The cost of a private gym membership will vary depending on the gym and what type of membership plan you choose. Generally, you can expect to pay between 7000 and 10,000 yen per month.

Tokyo is definitely English-friendly. Despite the majority of tourists who visit Tokyo being from other Asian countries, the majority of the Japanese public is still respectable enough towards English-speaking tourists to make sure that you are treated fairly and not discriminated against when visiting Tokyo.

Your membership card is valid at any Costco warehouse worldwide and is not transferable.

Anytime Fitness

If you are a member of Anytime Fitness in another country, your membership will also be valid at any location in Japan. The monthly membership fee varies from location to location, but it is usually around 7500 yen a month. People with tattoos will need to completely cover up their ink.

Rules are very important in Japan, and as there is a no tattoo rule in nearly all pools, onsens and gyms, a foreigner walking up to the desk with tattoos showing is bound to cause concern. Just cover up and keep those tattoos covered and that is acceptable. If you can't cover up, don't go to those environments.

Suggestions for Tourists With Tattoos

While tattoos are not illegal, they can prevent people from getting the full Japanese experience. When using public transportation in Japan, such as trains, tourists with visible tattoos will want to keep in mind that their ink may be offensive to some of the locals.

The average rent in Japan varies by city, but the overall national average falls somewhere between 50 to 70,000 JPY (470–650 USD).

How much does it cost to live in Japan in US dollars? ›

It's very varied, but average spend has been 91 EUR or 101 USD per month based on the last 10 months.

In general, a meal at a local eatery or fast food chain can range from 500 to 1,000 yen (approximately $5-$10 USD), while a meal at a mid-range restaurant can cost 1,000 to 3,000 yen (approximately $10-$30 USD), and a high-end restaurant can cost upwards of 10,000 yen (approximately $100 USD) per person.

Where do foreigners hang out in Tokyo? Most international tourists and foreigners go to Roppongi as it was intended to be an important tourist attraction for its nightlife. There are several international chains like Hard Rock Cafe located here, along with some of the best nightclubs in Tokyo.

Also, most importantly, Tokyo is more welcoming to foreigners than other cities in Japan. You'll find English-speaking people in low numbers wherever you go in Japan, but there are definitely more in Tokyo.

Just as in Costco America, there are a few options for Costco memberships in Japan. Their annual business membership costs about 4235 JPY, or approximately $30 USD. Their gold star membership is 4840 yen yearly, or roughly $34 USD.

Gold Star Members

This is the basic membership level for individuals who shop at Costco. This gets you into any Costco location around the world. You can get a second card made for free for another adult family member. At the time of writing, a Gold Star membership costs ¥4840 per year.

You can use this card to pay for international purchases or when traveling outside the U.S. at no extra charge. This card is also widely accepted, making it a great option if you travel and want a cost-effective card. If you are a Costco member, you do not need to pay any fee for the Citi Costco Anywhere Visa card.

Anytime Fitness is a global fitness gym chain, and there are more than 600 gyms throughout Japan. If you are a member of Anytime Fitness in your home country, you can use any Anytime Fitness gym in Japan for free.

When you are a part of the Anytime Fitness family, you can work out at gyms nationwide AND around the globe thanks to our worldwide club access. You must have been a member longer than 31 days for the international reciprocity to work. Was this article helpful?

Can I use my fitness first membership internationally? ›

You must present your validated original International Passport, along with your membership card at each visit to an international club. If no Passport is presented, then full guest fee applies. Your original membership agreement (“OMA”) will still be applicable.

Ear piercings are against Japanese school dress code, along with any other forms of jewelry and even painted nails. In fact, piercings of any kind are very uncommon in Japan, even for older people. Usually the people who get ear piercings in Japan are rule-breakers, or people who are trying to look tough.

Their influence and activities remain local. Contrarily, the yakuza are a confederation of criminal syndicates active throughout Japan. According to Japanese law, their status is not illegal: they have offices and a yakuza presence is still noticeable in many cities.

What is an onsen? Onsen are natural hot springs, fueled by volcanic activity, as well as the resort atmosphere that has emerged around many such springs.

Casual clothing is common in Japan outside of Tokyo's business district. Shorts, jeans, and camisoles are perfectly fine to wear as long as you don't plan on attending religious sites.

However, leggings are generally considered to be acceptable attire in most social settings. So if you're planning on visiting Japan and want to pack light, feel free to bring along a pair or two of your favorite leggings! Do you wear leggings?

Public Gyms

These have the basic training rooms, equipment, and amenities a private gym might have, but they are not 24 hours and might not include more luxurious amenities, such as showers. Their equipment is also usually not as nice as that in private gyms, and they often don't provide English assistance.

No Clothes Allowed

No clothes or bathing suits are allowed in the onsen bathing areas. People try hard to preserve the cleanliness of onsen. They are somewhat sacred places. Clothes and bathing suits can bring dirt and soap into the hot spring waters from outside and are, therefore, considered unhygienic.

The history associated with tattoos is mainly the reason why the Japanese dislike them, but there are also other reasons. In a nutshell, there has long been deeply-rooted cultural, political, legal and social reasons as to why tattoo is a complicated matter in Japan, even for foreign travellers and visitors.

Some places in Japan happily welcome tattooed tourists. For those with obvious and huge tattoos that are impossible to cover or those who are not fond of hiding their body art, do not worry because there are some sites that provide comprehensive lists of tattoo-friendly onsen and sento.

How much is $5000 US dollars in Japan? ›

In short, I think you will be absolutely fine since your flight and hotels are paid for already. $1000 should be sufficient, but you must be strict with yourself. $50 a day just about creeps overbudget. I think you should set yourself about $30 a day and maybe sometimes jump up to $50/60 if you wanna try something.

In the US, the average price per square foot to buy a residence in the city center is around $335, whereas in Japan a comparable figure is $760. This is an approximate 57% increase. However, on the whole, house prices are generally lower in Japan than the US, especially since the Covid pandemic.

Foreign currency such as the U.S. dollar, the Euro, Chinese Yuan Renminbi, and so on, can be exchanged in various locations in Japan. Since many smaller shops or restaurants don't accept credit cards, it is wise to have a certain amount of cash on hand when exploring the country.

However, this depends on where you come from. But, if you want to move to Japan permanently, you will need to apply for a long-term stay visa at the Japanese diplomatic missions (embassy/consulate) in your home country to enter Japan. Once you get the status of a permanent resident in Japan, it will be indefinite.

The cost of groceries is about the same throughout Japan: A gallon of milk costs about USD$4.50-$5.50. A dozen eggs cost USD$1.62-$1.98. One pound of rice costs USD$1.35-$1.65.

1 USD = 138.9441 JPY Jun 02, 2023 07:49 UTC

The currency converter below is easy to use and the currency rates are updated frequently. This is very much needed given the extreme volatility in global currencies lately. Sending money abroad is as easy as ever.

Up this to ¥10,000 ($95) a day and you'll be able to splash out on a few higher-end meals and visit all the attractions without worry, while ¥20,000 per day will ensure luxury all the way, eating in top restaurants, and even riding first class on Japan's extensive rail network.

Great for foreigners, Roppongi is one of the most ethnically diverse areas in Tokyo for nightlife. You'll find familiar names like BrewDog and Hard Rock Cafe, rubbing shoulders with upscale bars and packed nightclubs. If you fancy something different, head to a jazz bar or a burlesque show.

What is the dress code for Japanese nightclubs? ›

Dress classy

Most clubs have a standard dress code – no slippers. For men, no shorts and no tank tops, too. Instead, wear something stylish but casual. If you have tattoos showing, some establishments might request for you to cover them.

The majority of expats tend to congregate in Minato-ku ward in South Tokyo. Minato-ku is also home to many embassies and multinational firms. Due to this, it is a very convenient place for foreigners. There are a vast array of Westernised restaurants in the area, as well as two large international grocery stores.

The greatest number of American residents in Japan per 100,000 population is 161 in Okinawa, followed by Tokyo (152), Kanagawa (60), Kyoto (48) and Hyogo (43).

You must have a valid passport and an onward/return ticket for tourist/business "visa free" stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the entire time you are staying in Japan.

Yes, visa free tourism resumed October 11, 2022. Tourists with U.S. passports no longer need a visa to stay up to three months. Is a negative COVID-19 test required for entry? No.

Japan is currently one of the most pro-American countries in the world, with 67% of Japanese viewing the United States favorably, according to a 2018 Pew survey; and 75% saying they trust the United States as opposed to 7% for China.

Luckily, Japanese society is very welcoming of foreigners and forgiving should you commit a faux pas.

Can I workout at other gyms? Yes, if it is included in your membership. You can also use a Travel Pass which allows you to train in any Gold's Gym for up to 14 days within one calendar year with no added fee.

Today Gold's Gym has evolved and is the most recognized name in fitness, serving more than 800+ locations and 3+ million members in 38 states and 22 countries around the world.

How do you use the gym in Japan? ›

Bring your residence card or passport with you when you visit. Bring a credit card or bank book. Gyms will use this information to charge your monthly membership fee. Since most private gyms are 24 hours, make sure to check which hours staff will be there ahead of time.

Since Gold's Gym opened its first international location in Canada in 1985, the company has expanded its global franchising program to include nearly 180 international gyms including operations in Morocco, Russia, India, Australia, Costa Rica, Japan, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Egypt, Saudi ...

ONLY ONE (1) WORKOUT SESSION RESERVATION, PER MEMBER, PER DAY is permitted! If you cannot make your session time, please cancel your session as soon as possible so other members can book for that time slot.

Golds gym is expensive because its a high end gym chain, it provides superior quality of machines, ambiance and services for their customers. Not only this it is an international brand and also has a name therefore they even charge a premium due to that !

The PF Black Card® is our most popular membership, loaded with perks including access to any of our 2,400+ locations worldwide, bringing a guest every time you work out, and so much more.

In 1965, Joe Gold opened the first Gold's Gym in Venice, California.

Gold's Gym's competitors and similar companies include Life Time Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Club Pilates and Atmantan.

World Gym International LLC is an American fitness center founded in 1976 by Joe Gold during the glory days of "Muscle Beach" in Venice Beach, California. Joe Gold is also the founder of Gold's Gym, another gym chain, which he sold in 1973.

Crossing your feet in some cultures is considered very rude. In Japan you are expected to sit erect with both feet on the floor and never cross your ankle over your knee. In Singapore, as in many Asia cultures, the foot is thought to be unclean and should not be used to point at someone.

Radio Taiso is an exercise routine that has been practised for nearly 100 years in Japan. Old and young, physically fit and those with mobility issues can all experience the benefits of Radio Taiso.

What is the Japanese famous workout? ›

Dai-ichi is made up of 13 movements and begins with gentle raising of the arms above the head. In movement two, arms start crossed across the chest and are swung down like pendulums until they finish outstretched either side.

While Gold's Gym is more expensive than some other chain gyms, the prices are reasonable for the number of classes, equipment, and amenities you have access to.

Bodybuilding greats such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno and Franco Columbu worked out at the original Gold's Gym, which went on to become the most legendary gym in the world. In the fitness industry, the brand enjoys cult status and universal appeal with 96% aided brand awareness.

US-based Gold's Gym has opened a 14,000sq m (150,690sq ft) six-floor club in the Middle East. The flagship gym – in Amman, Jordan – has a wide range of facilities, including four swimming pools and a range of studios such as mind/body, cycling and GGX.