Kyoto Aquarena | 京都アクアリーナ

The "main" 50-meter pool is open only in summer and the lifeguard told me it was 28ºC (about 82.5ºF), which is hot by U.S. standards, but cool by Japanese standards. Although the main pool is 50 meters long, it was roped off for use width-wise, 25-meters. With swim team practices and more visitors in the summer, the bigger pool is more crowded than the smaller pool is during the winter season. Otherwise, the earlier comment(s) are accurate. The ¥100 deposit for the locker is returned when you insert your key.
August, 2026]

The pool is kept at 30.5ºC, which is nearly 87ºF (pretty hot). The first lane, closest to the locker rooms, is for walking only. The second lane is for swimming and walking, and you are allowed to stop mid-pool. The next lane is marked for stopping only at 25 meters, then the next lane allows stopping only at 50 meters, the center two lanes are marked "long course" which the lifeguard told me meant essentially no stopping, after those there's another 50-meter lane and another 25-meter lane. These rules are not strictly enforced. There are two analog pace clocks at opposite corners of the pool.

The locker rooms are very basic. There is no suit centrifuge in the men's (probably not in the women's either). Keep your ticket after entering. You need it again to go out.

We visited on October 1, 2018. The 50 meter pool was divided width-wise into two 25m pools (no bulkhead), one with lanes for teaching, the other for lap swimming. The lap lanes were all circle swim with only one swimmer in most at 11:30 AM, when we started. Swim equipment is permitted, with buoys and boards available on deck. The other usual Japanese rules/customs apply: cap required, no shoes in locker room, shower thoroughly before swimming, only covered tattoos allowed. The pool is a little hard to access because it is part of a large sports park and taxis drop off at other end. Best to take Hankyu “subway” line, instead. It was one of the best workout experiences I’ve had anywhere!