Gyms and pools in Japan with tattoos
What the big gym chains and public pools actually say about tattoos, and how to train or swim in Japan without being turned away.
Updated 1 October 2026 · 2 min read
Gyms and pools in Japan follow a different pattern from baths. Most gym chains will take you as a member but ask you to keep tattoos covered while you train. Many public pools want tattoos covered with a rash guard, and a few refuse them entirely.
Everything below comes from each company’s or pool’s own published rules, checked on 30 September and 1 October 2026. Branches can add their own conditions, so confirm with the one you plan to use.
Gym chains
| Chain | Can you join? | The rule | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anytime Fitness Japan | Yes | Showing tattoos anywhere in the gym is not allowed. Locker and shower rooms are private cubicles, so they don’t count. | Official FAQ |
| JOYFIT / JOYFIT24 | Yes | Allowed on condition you cover tattoos with a supporter, shirt or tape. Using the gym with tattoos showing can lose you access. | Official FAQ |
| chocoZAP | Yes | Joining is fine, but the terms forbid showing tattoos, including paintings that look like tattoos. | Official support page |
| Gold’s Gym Japan | Only small tattoos | Tattoos must fit within 15 × 15 cm on the body and stay covered with a supporter, shirt or tape. Anything larger can’t use the gym. | Member rules |
What to wear: long sleeves or compression sleeves, leggings, and kinesiology tape or a supporter for smaller pieces. Anytime Fitness is a good fit for travellers: it’s open 24 hours, has branches across Japan, and a membership from home often works in Japan too.
Pools
| Pool | City | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Aquatics Centre (sub pool) | Tokyo | Swimmers with tattoos are asked to wear a rash guard | Official rules |
| Kyoto Aquarena | Kyoto | Tattoos refused | Official guide |
| Spa World pools | Osaka | Tattoos refused, stickers included | Official terms |
| Meguro ward pools | Tokyo | Exposed tattoos refused; a rash guard is required | Meguro City |
| Shinjuku Sports Center and Cosmic Center | Tokyo | Wear a rash guard or supporter | Official guide |
| Setagaya Sogo Undojo heated pool | Tokyo | Cover with a rash guard or tape | Official page |
| Higashin Arena (Sumida) | Tokyo | Cover tattoos and stickers with clothing or supporters | Official guide |
| Adachi, Ota, Nerima, Itabashi, Kita and Arakawa ward pools | Tokyo | Cover with a rash guard, tape or supporters | Adachi City, Nerima City |
| Joto Indoor Pool | Osaka | Keep tattoos out of sight | Official site |
What to wear: a rash guard, swim leggings or a long-sleeve swim top. Patches can peel in chlorinated water. Bring your own cover-up, because many pools don’t sell them.
If the gym or pool route doesn’t work
- Hotel gyms and pools have their own rules. Ask when you book.
- Private and rentable gyms (hourly rooms just for you) avoid the question entirely.
- Parks in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka often have free pull-up and dip bars.
Looking for a bath after your workout? Start with the directory and filter by Ink OK.
Quick answers
- Can I join a gym in Japan if I have tattoos?
- At most big chains, yes, as long as the tattoo stays covered inside the gym. Anytime Fitness, JOYFIT and chocoZAP all allow members with tattoos who keep them covered. Gold's Gym Japan only accepts tattoos that fit within 15 × 15 cm, kept covered.
- Can I swim in a public pool in Japan with tattoos?
- Often only if the tattoo is covered, usually with a rash guard. Some pools refuse tattoos outright, and swimwear alone doesn't count as cover. Check the rule for the specific pool.
- Do tattoo cover patches work in pools?
- Sometimes, but patches can peel in chlorinated water. A rash guard, swim leggings or a long-sleeve swim top is the more reliable option where covering is allowed.