6 Accessible Pool Facilities That Can Be Enjoyed Even in a Wheelchair

When it comes to leisure facilities that can be enjoyed during the hot summer, pools are a top choice.

Every summer, many people visit pools seeking relief from the heat. However, for those in wheelchairs, concerns about steps and accessibility might make it difficult to enjoy such facilities.

Fortunately, Japan has numerous facilities where wheelchair users can fully enjoy pools.

This time, we introduce six barrier-free pool facilities where wheelchair users can enjoy themselves with peace of mind. If you're considering visiting a pool this summer, please use this as a reference.

1. Enjoy with a Pool Wheelchair! Uminonakamichi Seaside Park "Sunshine Pool"

Located in Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City, Uminonakamichi Seaside Park's "Sunshine Pool" is a pool facility designed with universal design principles to ensure everyone can enjoy it.

Universal design refers to buildings and products designed to be easily used by anyone, regardless of age or disability.

The Sunshine Pool is open seasonally from July to September, offering three types of wheelchairs—self-propelled, assisted, and bed-type—free of charge.

The pool features ramps, barrier-free restrooms, a first-aid room with a resident nurse, and rest areas around the pool, ensuring a safe experience.

The Dragon Slider, which requires climbing stairs, is one of six different types of pools, including the water jungle designed with universal design principles.

In addition to the Sunshine Pool, Uminonakamichi Seaside Park offers "Animal Forest," where you can interact with animals, and enjoy seasonal flowers throughout the park.

Reference: National Uminonakamichi Seaside Park Sunshine Pool｜Uminonakamichi Seaside Park Sunshine Pool Management Office

2. A Leisure Facility for Everyone with Universal Design Tsujido Seaside Park "Jumbo Pool"

Located in Tsujido Seaside Park in Kanagawa Prefecture, the "Jumbo Pool" is a seasonal leisure facility open from mid-July to mid-September each year. The facility is divided into six pool areas, including a wave pool and a lazy river pool with a total length of 270 meters.

As part of its universal design initiatives, the facility offers wheelchairs that can enter the water and priority changing rooms.

Additionally, wheelchair users can enjoy the wave pool and lazy river pool, with dedicated rest areas and lifts for the disabled, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.

The park is barrier-free, with priority parking, restrooms, and shower rooms for the disabled.

Outside of the pool season, the park offers various events in its lawn area and traffic park, providing plenty of entertainment beyond the pool.

Reference: Kanagawa Prefectural Tsujido Seaside Park｜Tsujido Seaside Park Management Office

3. Enter the Pool with a Slope at "Nagasaki Civic Comprehensive Pool"

The Nagasaki Civic Comprehensive Pool is located in the "Sports Zone" within Peace Park. The indoor facility includes a 50m pool, a 25m pool, and a pool for infants and children, with a slope installed in the 25m pool, which has seven lanes.

Swimming wheelchairs are available for rent, allowing users to enter the water directly. The first floor has two changing rooms for the disabled, one for men and one for women, equipped with toilets, bathtubs, and showers for private use.

The Nagasaki Civic Comprehensive Pool is also used as a venue for swimming competitions, including the "Nagasaki Ganbaranba Tournament" featuring disabled athletes.

Additionally, the 50m pool's spectator seats include a dedicated space for wheelchairs, promoting participation in sports for the disabled.

The pool's hours vary by season, but from July 21 to August 31, it is open until 8:30 PM, making it a great option for post-work exercise.

Reference: Nagasaki Civic Comprehensive Pool｜Nagasaki Civic Comprehensive Pool
Reference: [Barrier-Free] Nagasaki Civic Comprehensive Pool｜Nagasaki City Official Tourism Site

4. Facility with Pool Lift i-swim "Okudo Comprehensive Sports Center"

Located in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, the Okudo Comprehensive Sports Center is one of the few facilities in Japan where a pool lift is available. The pool lift, provided by Abilities, a company dealing in welfare and nursing care products, is utilized in swimming classes for the disabled.

The swimming classes for the disabled have a capacity of 20 participants (as of October 2020), and are conducted under the safety management of instructors qualified to teach the disabled, ensuring peace of mind.

In 2020, the classes were held eight times, helping participants maintain physical fitness and experience the joy of swimming.

The pool lift's reputation has spread from the swimming classes, and now individual users are also welcomed, aiming to create a facility that provides "reasonable accommodation" where everyone can swim with confidence. The pool is heated and available year-round, allowing for swimming regardless of the season.

In addition to the pool facilities, the Okudo Comprehensive Sports Center promotes sports activities among residents with tennis courts and baseball fields.

Reference: Okudo Comprehensive Sports Center Heated Pool Building & Eight Hall｜Katsushika Ward Sports Facility Designated Manager "Sumitomo Realty & Development Esforta & Toyo Management Joint Venture"
Reference: Katsushika Ward Okudo Comprehensive Sports Center Introduces Pool Lift (Mobile)｜Abilities

5. Pool Facility with Extensive Barrier-Free Equipment "Higashi Ayase Park Heated Pool Sui Sui Land Ayase"

Located in Higashi Ayase, Adachi Ward, Tokyo, "Sui Sui Land Ayase" is a heated pool with extensive barrier-free features. The facility is equipped with ramps and handrails to facilitate wheelchair movement, and any steps are less than 2 cm, ensuring barrier-free access.

Priority changing rooms, showers, and restrooms for the disabled allow for caregiver access, ensuring safe use. Additionally, poolside wheelchairs are available for rent, and assistance is provided for entering and exiting the pool, making it a facility that caters to the needs of the disabled.

Moreover, the facility offers exercise circles and classes that disabled individuals can participate in.

The courses are divided into indoor, outdoor, and children's pools, with the indoor pool being heated for year-round enjoyment.

The pool is open from 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM with a free-time system, and Adachi Ward residents aged 65 and over and disabled individuals can use the pool for free with proof of eligibility.

Reference: Higashi Ayase Park Heated Pool Sui Sui Land Ayase｜Adachi Ward

6. Promoting Social Participation in Disabled Sports "Gifu Welfare Yuai Pool"

The Gifu Welfare Yuai Pool is a pool facility exclusively for the disabled, located in Gifu City. It features a slope for wheelchair access and training equipment tailored for individuals with disabilities.

The facility is barrier-free, with shower rooms that can be used while in a wheelchair.

Usage is limited to seniors aged 60 and over, the disabled, and their caregivers, allowing for swimming without concern for others.

The main pool is a 25m pool certified by the Japan Swimming Federation, with a dedicated walking lane. The sub-pool is 70 cm deep, allowing children to safely enjoy the water.

Additionally, the facility includes features such as a jacuzzi bath and warming room to accommodate the health needs of the disabled and elderly.

The official website provides information on events and various classes, so if something catches your interest, it's recommended to inquire and apply in advance.

Reference: Gifu Welfare Yuai Pool｜General Incorporated Association Gifu Prefecture Disabled Sports Association

7. Introducing Initiatives for Creating a Pool Environment Where the Disabled Can Swim Safely

So far, we have introduced pool facilities that wheelchair users can enjoy, but nationwide, there are still significant social barriers that make it challenging for the disabled to visit pools.

In response, the "Certified NPO Pool Volunteer" aims to create a society where the disabled and elderly can visit pools just like everyone else, engaging in various activities.

For example, they offer one-on-one swimming instruction for the disabled to introduce them to the joy of swimming. The instruction is tailored to each individual's disability characteristics and personal goals.

Additionally, they recruit volunteers to help with events and solicit donations to create opportunities for the disabled to become familiar with water.

The philosophy of pool volunteers is to promote normalization, allowing the disabled to live social lives just like the able-bodied through swimming. (For a detailed explanation of normalization, please see

Therefore, swimming instruction is conducted in general public pools, not in pools exclusively for the disabled, gaining understanding and support through their activities.

Reference: Certified NPO Pool Volunteer

Reference:

8. In Conclusion

This time, we introduced pool facilities that wheelchair users can enjoy and organizations promoting initiatives for improving pool environments for the disabled.

In the past, it was difficult for wheelchair users to enjoy leisure activities as a matter of