Written by Carey Finn
Tokyo is getting a shiny new ice rink — and it’s pretty special. The Tatsumi Ice Arena, near Toyosu (and teamLab Planets), opens on September 6th, and it costs just ¥1,200 to go skating there.
The Tatsumi Ice Arena is an indoor ice-skating facility operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, intended for both competitions (international and domestic), as well as enjoyment by the general public.
Features of the Tatsumi Ice Arena in Tokyo
It will be open year-round, making it a great escape from the intense summer heat in Tokyo. Surprisingly, there are only a handful of other ice rinks that are open year-round in Tokyo. The seasonal outdoor rinks in winter tend to get more attention.
The new Tatsumi rink was built on the site of the old Tatsumi International Swimming Center, which hosted the water-polo events during the Tokyo Olympics. The reconstruction cost a small fortune, coming in at close to 7 billion yen. So yes, it is very pretty indeed.
There are two ice rinks at Tatsumi: the fancy main rink (60 x 30 meters), and a smaller sub-rink (47 x 17 meters). Figure skating, ice hockey (including para ice hockey), curling (including wheelchair curling), and other ice sports can be accommodated, and various teams are expected to use the rinks for training, as well as competitions.
Note: The facility is barrier-free, and includes warming rooms.
Prices
As a public facility, the Tokyo Tatsumi Ice Arena is affordable — it costs ¥1,200 for adults, ¥1,000 for high-school students, ¥800 for middle- and elementary-school students, and ¥400 for younger children.
The facility is free for people with disabilities, as well as an attendant, if they are accompanied by one. And for people just wanting to watch the action, it is ¥400 to enter.
Pro tip: Discount packs of six tickets are available, to save some money if you plan to skate often.
Ice skates are available to rent from size 15cm and up (that’s typically good for a kid aged 2-3), and cost ¥400.
Important rules and other things to keep in mind
- The Tatsumi Ice Arena website is in Japanese, and so is the majority of guidance in the facility. There is English signage, but it is limited, so don’t expect English-language support, necessarily.
- You may only skate in the direction specified; don’t go rogue.
- Children need to be closely supervised at all times; toddlers and young kids need to skate with their parents. Watch their little hands!
- Check the website to see whether the rinks are available, before you go. Use a translation tool if necessary. On some days, only one of the rinks might be available for general use; on others, neither will be available. The Tatsumi Ice Arena frequently gets booked for competitions and events, as well as training.
What to do nearby
There isn’t much in the immediate vicinity of the Tatsumi Ice Arena, but there is a Lawson convenience store and a park with benches and a kids’ play area, if you fancy a picnic.
And, as mentioned, teamLab Planets is nearby — just take the train one stop over to Toyosu. There, you’ll also find the Lalaport mall for lunch options.
The Tatsumi Ice Arena is about 10 minutes’ walk from Tatsumi Station on the Yūrakuchō Line — part of the Tokyo Metro. In clear weather, it’s an easy stroll through green space. In summer, it is HOT.
It is also accessible from Shin-Kiba Station.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.
