Best places to go ice-skating in Tokyo and Yokohama
Winter's no excuse to stay inside. In fact, when the cold starts to creep through the wafer-thin walls and shoddy window frames of Tokyo houses and apartments, rather than trying to hide under a mountain of blankets, one might actually be better off engaging in some healthy outdoor activities. Ice skating's obviously something best experienced out in the open, and quality rinks have been popping up all around the city in recent years.
Here's our quick guide to the best skating spots out there, including both winter-only rinks and year-round, indoor facilities that are also great places for serious figure skating or ice hockey training. First-timer or seasoned veteran, family with kids or couple looking for a date spot – everyone's welcome, and gear rentals are available at most of these places as well.
Also recommended for winter: the city's best illuminations
Festive rinks
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Art Rink
Located at the Red Brick Warehouse's event plaza, this popular and spacious ice skating rink is back for its 14th run this year and again hosts a variety of performers who'll be entertaining you with music, skating shows and more. The surroundings have been designed by artist Mirocomachiko, and coupled with the iconic warehouses as the backdrop, this is easily one of the most atmospheric ice skating rinks around...
Mitsui Fudosan Ice Rink in Tokyo Midtown
Tokyo Midtown hosts this grand-scale outdoor skating rink, which can accommodate about 200 skaters and gets lit up beautifully by lights lining the entire perimeter from 5pm until 10pm every day. The best thing is that you don’t even need to take off your skates to take a break in the heated ‘rest area’...
Toshimaen Skate Rink
Adjacent to both the Toshimaen amusement park and its neighbouring cinema complex, this is an outdoor, old-school skating rink where the ice is still built up gradually from thin layers of frozen water sprayed down every night. Re-entry is free for the same day, so it makes for a fun family outing as you can combine your skating experience with a quick trip to the rides or lunch at one of the nearby restaurants. Adding to the atmosphere are the Christmas lights and the cheery background music...
Futako-Tamagawa Rise Skate Garden
The 390sq m skate rink at Futako-Tamagawa's Rise shopping centre isn't exactly spacious to begin with, and tends to get very crowded – especially at night, when the light-up show turns it into a romantic playground for local couples. Still, it's reasonably priced and well worth checking out during the day...
Tokyo Skytree Town Ice Skating Park
Glide under the bright lights at the foot of Tokyo Skytree, where this rink opens up right after New Year's. A children's rink and a play area have been added, making the comfy Ice Skating Park even more family-friendly than before, while the experienced staff offer daily lessons for beginners...
Fuji-Q Highland's Crystal Lagoon Rink
The large-scale amusement park Fuji-Q Highland may not be in Tokyo (it's closer to Mt Fuji), but its easy accessibility from the capital makes it a great day-trip destination. During winter, the park opens its expansive ice skating rink, covering a total of 3,800 square metres. Glide over the ice while taking in the great views of Mt Fuji, and at night you can look forward to sparkling colourful illuminations...
Year-round rinks
Citizen Plaza Ice Skating Rink
At 60m by 30m, this is a full-scale, international competition-sized rink that can accommodate ice hockey and other sports. Situated inside the Citizen Plaza entertainment complex in Takadanobaba, the rink is open to the public except for early morning and evening hours...
Meiji Jingu Ice Skating Rink
This competition-standard rink operates year-round, and is always open to the public. Catch a glimpse of aspiring professional skaters during training sessions.
DyDo Drinco Ice Arena
Formerly known as the Higashi-Fushimi Ice Arena, this sizable rink is capable of accommodating 3,500 visitors, and offers figure skating classes, Sunday skating classes and more. The rink is only open to the public at specified times...
Big Box Higashiyamato Skate Centre
This indoor rink is generally open to the public, and is also available for ice hockey (at specified times only). Everyone is welcome to play during the ice hockey hours, provided that you're wearing all the protective gear required...
Kosé Shin-Yokohama Skate Centre
This sports complex offers facilities for a variety of purposes, including an international standard-sized skating rink, which is open for skating year-round. The centre is also used as a venue for ice hockey and figure skating, and offers spectator seating for up to 2,500 people...
More Tokyo winter specials
Tokyo illuminations
Christmas markets in Tokyo
Get your gifts and ornaments here – and reward yourself with a pint while you're at it