Yes. It’s hot. Very. Very. Very. Hot.
As you stare longingly at the underused elementary school pool in your neighborhood, you might be happy to know that there are some *splashing* water parks near Tokyo. Here I’ll introduce two that might not cost an arm and leg, plus one tip for getting even cheaper pool tickets.
The ‘Seaside Pool’ at the Funenokagakukan (Museum of Marine Science) is a lovely, 200m-round seaside pool, plus additional pools. Located at the Yurikamome Line Fune-no-Kagakukan station. Usually Y1,800 for adults and Y900 for children, but only Y1,600 per adult and Y800 per child if you print out a special coupon. Go to this page and click on プール (pool) and then scroll to the bottom of the resulting popup page and click on the square at the bottom where it says シーサイドプール優待券 (seaside pool special ticket). Print out the resulting popup window. One coupon can be used for up to five people.
The Rainbow Pool at Showa Kinen Park has a 360m-round pool, plus 8 other pools, and is open July 17 through September 12. Only a 3-minute walk from JR Ome Line Nishi-tachikawa station. Cost is Y2,250 for adults, Y1200 ages 6-15, and Y300 for children under 3, however pre-sold tickets carry a roughly Y400 discount, and the “Sunset” (after 2 PM) tickets are Y1,100, Y600, and Y150 respectively.
My final tip: Check your local kinken shop for discounted tickets to local suburban amusement parks and attractions. I’ve bought Tobu Zoo tickets for Y500 a piece (usually Y1700), and see Toshimaen Pool tickets (usually Y3,800) for Y1,800. These tickets are not very “liquid” (i.e., they don’t change hands much), so the shops discount them a fair amount.
© 2004 Wendy J. Imura.