Gyms for tourists in Kyoto 2024
Kyoto is the most popular tourist destination in Japan, and there are many tourist spots in all directions. For fitness travelers, compared with Tokyo, there are not many local gyms but some mid budget hotels have decent gyms. So it is a good idea to look for hotels with gym first and if they are not suitable for you, then you can try to find a hotel close to a local gym selling a day pass. There are 4 local gyms selling a day pass to travelers. See my recommendations below the map.
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If you are a Anytime Fitness Member in your home country, you can use 600+ Anytime Fitness gyms in Japan. Check out the locations in Kyoto from here.
Below gyms sell a day pass to tourists. 2 of them are in convenient locations for tourists.
Gold’s Gym Kyoto Karasuma: Open Mon-Sat 7.00-23.00, Sun 7.00-21.00. Closed on 2nd Mon. Day pass costs $28 per visit. Good gym in great location. See the official gym website.
Gold’s Gym Imadegawa: Open Mon-Sat 7.00-23.00, Sun 7.00-21.00. Closed on 2nd Mon. Day pass costs $28 per visit. Good gym but location is not so convenient for tourists. See the official gym website.
Gold’s Gym Kyoto Nijo: Mon-Sun 24hrs open. Closed on 3rd Mon. Day pass costs $28 per visit. Good gym but not in convenient location for tourists. See the official gym website.
Stance Design 2nd gym: Mon-Sun. Day pass cost $28 per visit. See the official gym website.
All fees are calculated with US$1=100yen (e.g.$20 = 2000yen) for convenience. To avoid embarrassment and disappointment at the gym, please read Tips and etiquette before going to the gym in Japan.
Recommendation: Gold’s Gym Kyoto Karasuma is in the most convenient location for tourist activities. They even have some large free lockers to keep your suitcase.
Among the many hotels in Kyoto, if you want to stay close to the gym and main entertainment area of Kyoto, Hotel Grand Bach Kyoto Select is a good option. This modern 4-star hotel is in the middle of the main entertainment area of Kyoto. It has a large public bath and 2 x shared washing machines. Most importantly you can walk to Gold’s Gym Kyoto Karasuma in 7 min. Check out the review and price from here.
If you want to stay at modern Japanese style hotel (Ryokan) and do not want to miss out your workout, then, Gion Misen and Gion Misen Furumonzen are great options. They are located close to each other in a traditional area, called Gion and have a special deal for fitness travelers. Hotel guests can use the gym nearby, called Volar at $20 per visit. It takes about 7 min walk from both hotels. Only hotel guests can use this gym. You need to ask for the ticket at hotel reception.
As the most popular place to visit in Japan, Kyoto has many tourist spots to visit. If you stay only 2-3 days and move to other cities such as Tokyo or Osaka, your itinerary might be hectic as there are tourist spots in all directions in Kyoto and moving around can be painful unless you are on a tour. In that case it might be wise to stay close to Kyoto station as it is a hub for all transportation and tours in Kyoto. From this point of view and more importantly a fitness point of view, my recommendation goes to Hotel Granvia Kyoto. This hotel is part of Kyoto station complex but still spacious and relatively quiet (surprisingly relaxing atmosphere in super busy Kyoto station). There is a gym and pool, and hotel guests can use it at $10 per visit. Check out the review and price from here.
Another good hotel nearby Kyoto station is Hotel Vischio Kyoto. This is one of the most popular 4-star hotels around Kyoto station and has a decent fitness room. Hotel guests can use it for free. You can also go to Hikari Park for jogging.
Rhino Hotel Kyoto is a bit far from the center of Kyoto main area (12 min train ride from Kyoto station) but this 3-star hotel sells a day pass of local gym in the same building at discounted price, $11 per visit to hotel guests. You can use a good gym and swimming pool. It is a good deal. If workout is your priority during your stay in Kyoto, this is a good option. Check out the hotel review and price from here.
