Table Tennis in Japan

[Sharmli]

Hi everyone,

I'll be traveling to Japan at the end of May and I'm planning to visit local shops and join some training sessions. Have any of you been there before? Do you have any contacts who might be up for hanging out or any insider tips to share?
What would you recommend doing in Japan? I'd be truly grateful for any suggestions!

Best regards from Switzerland,
Sharmli

 

[rbtitco]

Can you speak Japanese? A lot of people there don't speak English, so it's tougher. I wasn't there too long to really help you. Hopefully, so guys on here can get u linked up with some clubs

 

[Sharmli]

Sadly not, but with Hands and Google translate is much possible

I hope we find people here with those connections

 

[igorponger]

Hi, dear

«В Японии сильные игроки ведут себя скромно — это спорт дисциплины и уважения» — Олег Захаров

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telegra.ph

Ask question from this Russian guy. He got well familiar with Japan tt folks.

Be happy.

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/where-to-train-in-japan-tokyo.33598/page-2

why don't you search this forum ? the UX is very good...there are some other threads

for playing i recommend Minato Sports Center. 800 yens (access to the whole facility for the whole day, including gym, pool, badminton etc) , its open most of the time.

for shopping i personally have been going to kokusaitakkyu in Shibuya for more than 20 years because its convenient for me, but their main shop is in Takadanobaba, WRM is in this area too. Karahashi in Yoyogi is another good shop.

I can also recommend playing in local tournaments, if you are courageous, use a translating tool and go on P4match.com to register to the site then to tournaments. You could almost play a tournament everyday (sometimes twice a day !) if you are motivated. if you can plan further in advance, you can play open (KO) tournaments listed on nocha.jp which are higher level.

also if you have the budget, you can go to a TT school get a 1-to-1 lesson with a professional coach

May I ask what your level is and where you are from ?
Cheers

 

[Sharmli]

Thanks for your anwser after i searched for japan i dint saw it sorry for that ,
thanks for you anwser fist .
Level describe is hard to say honestly
Im From Switzerland
Dm is open

Kind Regards from Swiss

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

you can DM when you're in Japan. I live near the sports center so i can come easily

Ive played with quite a few TTD members over the years. Some were about my level, lets say within +/- 200 RP equivalent, a few way too good for me and some absolute beginners.

At Minato sports center, apart from weekday mornings, even if you go alone, you should be able to find some people playing with you, especially if you are a bit skilled. Wednesday & Thursday evenings + WE, there is always some volunteers making sure everything goes smoothly and no one is left alone

but the 100% bulletproof way to find someone playing with you is paying a coach / training partner at some TT school...

 

[Sharmli]

thats for sure , but do you have maybe an idea how u can contact a Club from the T-League to watch once a Training from them ? or do you have an idea where u can meet those "stars"

 

[muffin1015]

I discovered this thread while looking up places to play in Japan, currently visiting with two of my friends. We’ll be in Tokyo next week, planning on going to Minato sports center on Saturday June 7th if either of you are around/want to play! I’m rated about 2200 USATT and my friends are about 2000 and 1900

 

[ZFT]

For Minatoku Sports Centre remember to pack your indoor sports shoes, separate from the shoes you walk to the centre in. Otherwise they will ask you to pay for shoe hire.

If there’s no one at the hall (unlikely) there’s swimming pool (free for 2 hours), gym (300¥ extra) and other sports on different floors so I think it’s best to go early for a full day experience.

@Takkyu_wa_inochi can chime in if any of my information is incorrect.

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

Minami Ando Seminar

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安藤みなみ講習会が東京都八王子市にて2025年5月31日に開催。エントリー（試合なし） (混合シングルス)があり、すぐに予約ができます。

i2unet.com

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

I discovered this thread while looking up places to play in Japan, currently visiting with two of my friends. We’ll be in Tokyo next week, planning on going to Minato sports center on Saturday June 7th if either of you are around/want to play! I’m rated about 2200 USATT and my friends are about 2000 and 1900

What time ? Saturdays are crowded with kids . It’s a one hour slot system and if there are too many people there is a priority and lottery system to ensure everyone can play. It may mean that you need to wait one hour between available slots. Usually 9-10 12-13 and 20–22 is less crowded

 

[Sharmli]

I discovered this thread while looking up places to play in Japan, currently visiting with two of my friends. We’ll be in Tokyo next week, planning on going to Minato sports center on Saturday June 7th if either of you are around/want to play! I’m rated about 2200 USATT and my friends are about 2000 and 1900

im there from Sunday, maybe wanna.write a dm for check up? so we can find a date to play

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

ジュニア・初心者クラス充実！江東区有明の卓球教室 | ファースト卓球スクール

「誰でも自分のペースで上達できる」 ファースト卓球スクールは、日本初のプロ卓球リーグ「Tリーグ」参戦の現役Tリーガーや元日本代表がコーチとして在籍する卓球スクールです。

first-tt.com

There are some events with pros at First Table Tennis School like Koki Niwa , Hidetoshi Oya, Asuka Machi, Taku Takakiwa

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

Japan! The land of joy and happiness for Seperinger Sepongi and Seperinger Sepongi X users. Buy Buy Buy! Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!

 

[Vrael]

does anyone plan to join p4 tournament ? I always wondered what is the level of ~2000 USATT players (yeah, I can check yt videos, but it is not the same as playing). I am participating in p4 events basically every week and have some YT videos from them if You were interested what kind of players are participating.

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

does anyone plan to join p4 tournament ? I always wondered what is the level of ~2000 USATT players (yeah, I can check yt videos, but it is not the same as playing). I am participating in p4 events basically every week and have some YT videos from them if You were interested what kind of players are participating.

i think 2000 is about your level Vrael

 

[Vrael]

I will wait for Your report when You meet .

For me it is too far, but if anyone is in Chofu I can meet to play for 1 hour and pay for table

 

[Sharmli]

I will wait for Your report when You meet .

For me it is too far, but if anyone is in Chofu I can meet to play for 1 hour and pay for table

Wenn can find an appointment.

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

Kenta and Kenji Matsudaira’s sister Shiho is now giving lessons at Room MK at a rate of 8000 yens per hour . She was a former national team member and a quite strong player . You can see her in a few YT videos. She has started coaching rather recently so she has a lot of availability