On December 1, Fukuoka’s newest municipal gymnasium, the Teriha Sekisui House Arena, will open on Island City in Higashi Ward. The four-story building is full of facilities and equipment for a wide range of sports, and the main arena is one of the largest in western Japan. With 15-meter-high ceilings, the gymnasium also meets the standards for various kinds of international athletic competitions. There is seating for roughly 5,000 spectators, affording great views no matter where you sit.
In addition to the main arena, there is a sub-arena, an archery range and a martial arts dojo, each equipped with its own restrooms and changing rooms. The training room features a good selection of workout equipment and a bouldering wall. There is also a multipurpose room and a jogging course, and the entire facility is designed to be fun for everyone, both young and old, disabled or able-bodied.
Sports are the optimal way to stay in shape and relieve stress. Fukuoka City has several municipal facilities that citizens can use at their leisure. In addition to the Fukuoka Citizens Gymnasium in Higashi Park in Hakata Ward, there are gymnasiums in each ward as well as a convenient online reservation system. Several community centers, including Sazanpia Hakata, the Wajiro Regional Community Center and the Seibu Regional Community Center, also have gymnasiums and training rooms.
Furthermore, the Fukuoka City Disabled Persons Sports Center, also known as Sansan Plaza, is located in Minami Ward and aims to provide persons with disabilities a place where they can stay fit and undergo rehabilitation. It is equipped with a gymnasium, table tennis room, archery range and a heated pool (which is open year-round) and offers lessons for a variety of sports, including boccia and other parasports. It is also where para-athletes train for the upcoming Paralympic Games.
Originally published in Fukuoka Now Magazine (fn240, Dec. 2018)
