Ice skating in Tokyo and Yokohama

Recommended rinks for perfecting your winter moves

By Time Out Tokyo Editors Posted: Monday December 5 2016

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.

Year-round rinks

Meiji Jingu Ice Skating Rink

This competition-standard rink is operated year-round, and is always open to the public. Catch a glimpse of aspiring professional skaters during training sessions.

Shinanomachi

Citizen Plaza Ice Skating Rink

At 60m x 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...

Takadanobaba

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). Anyone is welcome to play during the ice hockey hours, provided that they're wearing all the protective gear required...

Tama area

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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...

Tama area

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...

Shin-Yokohama