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Jul 13, 2024

Favorite water parks/pools?

I've seen questions posed on City-Cost before about our favorite beaches in Japan, but in a similar vein I'd love to know about your favorite water parks and pools here. One of our local favorites in Niigata for some family fun is Joetsu Kokusai Playland, but depending on distance we'd be willing to travel a bit more.

genkidesu

genkidesu

Love to travel, interested in J-beauty products and consider myself a convenience store snack aficionado. Navigating the ever-present challenges of expat life, particularly about my TCK's (third culture kids).

4 Answers



Best Answer

  • BigfamJapan

    on Jul 16

    I really like the Kawagoe Aqua / Water Park, but its always crowded. Moreover, since the pandemic, you need to buy a ticket in advance either online or at a 7-11. Usually a trip to the pool is spontaneous for us, so we won't be going to Kawagoe Aqua Park in the near future! In 2020 to 2022, when all other outdoor pools were closed, we started going to a local hotel for its outdoor pool. Its smaller than an aqua park and costs three times more, but we really love it because its rarely packed and its actually really relaxing. Plus, it feels safer because you have good visibility of the kids at all times and the lifeguards are watching fewer people than in an aqua park.

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  • genkidesu

    on Jul 16

    @BigfamJapan I like the hotel idea, that's smart -- I think I'd prefer to pay more as well with better visibility + a less crowded experience!

    1
  • TonetoEdo

    on Aug 16

    Not a pool or a park, but Chichibu has some places for wild swimming. The Hanno riverbank on the Iruma River is accessible and you can wild swim there. On a rafting trip at Nagatoro, the raft guide encouraged us passengers (kids and kids at heart) to fall off the raft and float along. Quite far from you is Chiba City's beaches. There's a newly renovated resort-like spot, Inage Kaihin Koen Pool hilariously abbreviated to "Inapoo". I went years ago and had fun. It looks like they've glammed up with pavilions and it has access to Inage Beach on Tokyo Bay.

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  • TonetoEdo

    on Aug 29

    A recommendation from students in Saitama is Shirakobato Aquatic Park in Koshigaya City. Junior high kids and folks 65 and older get discounted entry. My students tell me it's convenient to get to by bus, a 10-minute ride from Koshigaya Station.

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