Outdoor pools and water slides

Outdoor pools in Tokyo and the surrounding areas are many, though not particularly varied. There are themes common to all of them: most tout a wave machine, a water slide, kids' paddling pools and, in the summer at least, improbably large crowds. While our list of outdoor water parks is not exhaustive, we've tried to include the key players, as well as a few lesser known contenders. One word of caution: most of these places operate strict no-tattoo policies, so if you've got any visible body ink, you'd be better off hitting the beach instead.

Oiso Long Beach | Open July 6
Fashioned in the style of a holiday resort, this park on the Shonan coast offers a seaside experience without you actually having to venture into the sea, with facilities aimed more at young families than thrill-seekers. Read more

Inage Kaihin Pool | Open July 20
13 separate outdoor pools house an abundance of watery attractions, including a wave pool, a water station (like a semi-submerged adventure playground) and a separate area for the kiddies. Read more

Kawagoe Aquatic Park | Open July 13
It's a little way out of town, but what's a 40 minute journey when the destination boasts a 2m high wave pool? Other highlights include a big ship and water slides, but...did we mention the 2m high wave pool? Read more

Native Forest Pool | Open July 20
Water slides, whirlpools, paddling pools and 50m competition pools – they've got it all going on at the Native Forest park out in Fuchu. Oh, and it's dirt cheap, too. Let the balmy summer commence! Read more

Rainbow Pool | Open July 13
Rainbow Pool houses nine different kinds of pool as well as an impressive selection of water slides and wave machines – an attractive proposition for boisterous teenagers and overgrown kids alike. Read more

Seibuen Yuenchi Pool | Open July 13
The outdoor pool at Seibuen amusement park covers a large area and features no less than four tubular water slides, the obligatory wave machine and plenty of shallow splashing spots for the little 'uns. Read more

Tokyo Summerland | Open year-round
The indoor pool here is notorious, though the outdoor one is more bearable, with 650 metres of flowing water – dubbed 'The Great Journey' – as its star attraction. Perhaps worth a trip on a weekday morning. Read more

Hydropolis | Open July 13
Toshimaen's water park includes a surf pool, a lazy river, two wave pools, something called the Nautic Jet, and a very elaborate set of waterslides. There's also an olympic sized pool for more determined swimmers. Read more

WAI at Yomiuri Land | Open July 5
During the summer, Yomiuri Land opens its pool to Tokyo's wet'n'wild thrill seekers. The Giant Sky River is the highlight: nearly 25m tall, running for 386m, and navigable only with the use of a large rubber ring. Read more