Okayama Shimin Okunaionsui Pool | 市立市民屋内温水プール

Update: Still set up with lap lanes and a free zone for water-walking, swimming, and various water exercises. Still basic but pristine. Still required to exit the pool for 10 minutes every hour. The entry price is little changed, and you buy your entry ticket at the machine. You will need a swim cap and can buy one at the pool office or rent one for ¥240 or thereabouts. Bottled water is available for ¥140 yen. The others in the pool at midday on a weekday were mostly older adults and some school groups in the learning pool. There are lifeguards. Others in the pool were very welcoming. Music piped in is enjoyable.

The office staff are in no way equipped to deal with a non-Japanese speaker, at least not that I could determine. I speak some Japanese and was able to handle the process in that language without a problem.

This was a very pleasant break during travel. Thanks to Okayama Municipal Pool!

This pool is a 20 minute bus ride from (central) Okayama Station and is nestled in a residential area off a major urban artery. It's an older, basic facility. Staff are welcoming even with limited English. On a weeknight, half of the pool was taken up by a Masters group and a youth group, two lanes were devoted to water walking, and there was a slow and fast lane for lap swimming. (passing not allowed.) Even at 3-4 swimmers, there was plenty of room in this long-course pool. As is often the case in Japan, there was an hourly break when all swimmers had to leave the pool for 10 minutes. Coin lockers are provided but the¥ 100 coin is not returned. Shampoo and soap are not allowed in the showers.