I am looking for a place in or near Tokyo preferably on the weekend to play a friendly but competitive game of basketball. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

I and some other expatriate fathers are looking for a gym that we can rent on weekends during the day preferably in central Tokyo. Would anyone know of such a place? Also, is it possible to rent the gym in a public school and, if so, how would one go about it? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

Fred

I have noticed children's baseball teams and soccer clubs in my neighborhood near Yoyogi Park. However, I have not heard of any basketball clubs. My son is 7 years old and enjoys playing basketball. Does anyone know of clubs that both teach children how to play basketball and allow them time to play, or, if not, how I might go about organizing one? Specifically, to which governmental agency is it suggested that I could go to get information about the necessary permits required, availability of courts, etc.? Thank you in advance for any information provided.

Fred

Dear Fred,
I know that my ward/city sports center has basketball courts. And there must be a system for people to use them. So maybe you could try your ward office for starters. I live in Bunkyo-ku, and if your ward doesn't have multipurpose space including basketball, then maybe I can find out if I can reserve space for you at my ward sports center. I think at least one person has to reside or work in the ward. That means you can also try the ward where you work if it is different from the one that you live in.
I think the ward also controls the school space, though I have never, ever, seen a school used for a non-child centered activity, there might always be a first. In fact, some friends and I actually discussed this once, that the parks are so highly utilized but that the public buildings (such as schools) are so under-utilized here.

There is a way for adults, or anyone for that matter to hire out school BBall courts for a nominal fee. Go to your ward office or call them, you can ask for an English speaker if you need to. My husband and I hire a court at least once a month this way for a fee of about 4000 yen for three hours. There is fierce competition to get the courts and it is a major hassle really. You have to register your teams name, or your name at the ward office. Then on the first of every month at 9 am sharp, you have to go to the ward office and enter a lottery system to get the chance, along with 60 other people, to reserve a court. If you don't do it at this exact time and date it is impossible to hire the court. This is a perfect example indicating what a high premium on space there is in Tokyo. Good luck.

PS. Kita-ku

Ichinomiya: Aichi-ken
"Unbalance Basketball Club" recruiting all ages and all levels welcome. email: unbalance [at] inter7.jp
Website: http://www.geocities.co.jp/Milano/5022/unbalance

Tokyo: Setagaya
Setagaya Phoenix (since 2001) co-ed
http://homepage2.nifty.com/setagaya_phoenix
There are three different sports centers used for practice. Generally Sundays from 17:00-21:00 not too far from Shibuya.
Schedule/Venue: http://homepage2.nifty.com/setagaya_phoenix/schedule.html