says
Japan 11/02/2026
Alright guys, here's a brief overview of a few clubs I found.
Tokyo
Machida
Tactive
Home to a branch of Tactive, a short stroll from the station. It has 4 robots set up including 1 pong fox with a video pointed at you which is useful to perfect your technique. If you sign up for their unlimited learning plan, you can play virtually as much as you want with the robots and a coach will come around and provide tips. Inoue gave me a good reverse pendulum serve tip to obtain more spin, and a tip to disguise BH direction. Even though he can't speak any English, he was patient with google translate. There are other more expensive options for private coaching if you like too.
Machida also has a branch of TTKokusai for low cost ping pong goods.
Naruse (1 stop from Machida)
Gao Table Tennis Club
Gao's table tennis club is probably the best club I came across, and I spent a lot of time there. For a monthly fee starting from 13500yen for weekdays, you can play 24/7 and join their club league. There's 4 tables, a robot, a dog and an exercise bike. Besides the many high level coaches (including former World Championships bronze medalist, Abe san), there were some good players from Vietnam, France and Japan who gave me some decent practice. Gao trained with Xu Xin at a school in China, is former Chinese junior #2 and is probably the best coach I've ever had. An hour with her was very hard work, since the Chinese style of coaching isn't kind or fun. My technique is now much more efficient and compact from a few lessons with her.
Minato
Minatoku Sports Centre
With 18 tables packed closely and full of good to high level players, you'll get your money's worth for only 800yen for the night. Many of them would top a UK city division 1, for example.
I met Takkyu_wa_inochi, had a chat and we registered our table. Then I began chatting with a guy called Dan from the US who was also there for the first time. He joined our table and gave us some close games, as a 2100 rated player.
There's no barriers to stop balls flying everywhere, but everyone is quick to give you your ball back. When it becomes too crowded, a lotto is held to reserve a table. We won! Next, a guy called Takeshi asked to play so we knocked for a while. He had a cracking flat hit backhand and faded forehand smash.
It's a good place to test your training against high level players. I'll definitely return here next year! Go to the 3rd floor, buy a ticket, walk through the gate then take a left to get the elevator to the 8th floor.
Kanagawa, just outside of Tokyo
Isehara
Isehara Table Tennis Club
The coach is a bronze medalist at the Para-Olympics and is great at blocking. There's 4 tables and a small shop. A timer is set for 5 minutes, where we rotate between service practice, exercises with the coach or with the assistant coach who has some strong serves. There was one young player who played well, else mostly new/beginner level.
Hon-Atsugi
Nakamura Twins
The Nakamura twins are 2 of the most skilful players I've ever come across, and YouTube celebrities. They are also both great coaches, and speak a little English or use a translator as needed. It's a private space, where you can either rent one of their 2 tables for service practice or coaching, including doubles if anyone is up for it! Kengo gave some great tips on footwork as a FH dominant player, and Shogo will help your backhand drive, chiquita and give a you a hook serve which most can't return. They are both fun and friendly to play with.
Yokohama
YCAC
The Yokohama Country and Athletic Club holds weekly table tennis sessions every Sunday afternoon with 4 tables. My mate's mother is the coach there. Whilst the level isn't high besides her, it's a nice relaxing space to have a knock and a game of chess with beer afterwards. Various other sports are played here too including basketball and football (soccer).
Umeyashiki
Umeyashiki Table Tennis Court
Whilst I only played here once in a tournament, the wooden layout of the club was aesthetically pleasing with 4 tables setup and a friendly organiser/coach with strong credentials. 2 of the Japanese players in the tournament were fluent in English, and all were of a good playing level. I know some of them were local club members. There was one player, Takashi, who gets my vote as the most awkward player ever! With long pips, short pips and a strange yet deceptive hook serve, he can attack from both wings and give you a hard time.
That's all from me for now. Ariake didn't reply, but I hope to visit Minato before I go back to the UK this week.
Tokyo
Machida
Tactive
Home to a branch of Tactive, a short stroll from the station. It has 4 robots set up including 1 pong fox with a video pointed at you which is useful to perfect your technique. If you sign up for their unlimited learning plan, you can play virtually as much as you want with the robots and a coach will come around and provide tips. Inoue gave me a good reverse pendulum serve tip to obtain more spin, and a tip to disguise BH direction. Even though he can't speak any English, he was patient with google translate. There are other more expensive options for private coaching if you like too.
Machida also has a branch of TTKokusai for low cost ping pong goods.
Naruse (1 stop from Machida)
Gao Table Tennis Club
Gao's table tennis club is probably the best club I came across, and I spent a lot of time there. For a monthly fee starting from 13500yen for weekdays, you can play 24/7 and join their club league. There's 4 tables, a robot, a dog and an exercise bike. Besides the many high level coaches (including former World Championships bronze medalist, Abe san), there were some good players from Vietnam, France and Japan who gave me some decent practice. Gao trained with Xu Xin at a school in China, is former Chinese junior #2 and is probably the best coach I've ever had. An hour with her was very hard work, since the Chinese style of coaching isn't kind or fun. My technique is now much more efficient and compact from a few lessons with her.
Minato
Minatoku Sports Centre
With 18 tables packed closely and full of good to high level players, you'll get your money's worth for only 800yen for the night. Many of them would top a UK city division 1, for example.
I met Takkyu_wa_inochi, had a chat and we registered our table. Then I began chatting with a guy called Dan from the US who was also there for the first time. He joined our table and gave us some close games, as a 2100 rated player.
There's no barriers to stop balls flying everywhere, but everyone is quick to give you your ball back. When it becomes too crowded, a lotto is held to reserve a table. We won! Next, a guy called Takeshi asked to play so we knocked for a while. He had a cracking flat hit backhand and faded forehand smash.
It's a good place to test your training against high level players. I'll definitely return here next year! Go to the 3rd floor, buy a ticket, walk through the gate then take a left to get the elevator to the 8th floor.
Kanagawa, just outside of Tokyo
Isehara
Isehara Table Tennis Club
The coach is a bronze medalist at the Para-Olympics and is great at blocking. There's 4 tables and a small shop. A timer is set for 5 minutes, where we rotate between service practice, exercises with the coach or with the assistant coach who has some strong serves. There was one young player who played well, else mostly new/beginner level.
Hon-Atsugi
Nakamura Twins
The Nakamura twins are 2 of the most skilful players I've ever come across, and YouTube celebrities. They are also both great coaches, and speak a little English or use a translator as needed. It's a private space, where you can either rent one of their 2 tables for service practice or coaching, including doubles if anyone is up for it! Kengo gave some great tips on footwork as a FH dominant player, and Shogo will help your backhand drive, chiquita and give a you a hook serve which most can't return. They are both fun and friendly to play with.
Yokohama
YCAC
The Yokohama Country and Athletic Club holds weekly table tennis sessions every Sunday afternoon with 4 tables. My mate's mother is the coach there. Whilst the level isn't high besides her, it's a nice relaxing space to have a knock and a game of chess with beer afterwards. Various other sports are played here too including basketball and football (soccer).
Umeyashiki
Umeyashiki Table Tennis Court
Whilst I only played here once in a tournament, the wooden layout of the club was aesthetically pleasing with 4 tables setup and a friendly organiser/coach with strong credentials. 2 of the Japanese players in the tournament were fluent in English, and all were of a good playing level. I know some of them were local club members. There was one player, Takashi, who gets my vote as the most awkward player ever! With long pips, short pips and a strange yet deceptive hook serve, he can attack from both wings and give you a hard time.
That's all from me for now. Ariake didn't reply, but I hope to visit Minato before I go back to the UK this week.
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