Japan’s Public Services Are Shockingly Good for the Price
In Japan, you can use a public gym or swimming pool for under $3 — and it’s clean, quiet, and well-maintained.
Lately, I’ve been going to a city-run gym and a city-run swimming pool for my health.
The gym is only a 5-minute walk from my place, which is super convenient.
And honestly, Japan’s public services like these are incredible.
City Gyms & Pools = The Best Cost Performance
For example:
・The gym costs 350 yen ($2.26 in 2025) per visit
・The pool costs 450 yen ($2.91)
No ID required.
(Some cities do require one, though.)
These are the prices in my city, but generally it’s around 300–700 yen ($1.94–$4.52) per visit anywhere in Japan.
The cost performance is unbeatable 😃
If you’re a hardcore gym person, you might want more equipment,
but for me, it’s more than enough.
Plus, city-run gyms and pools are often pretty empty.
If you’re lucky, you can even have the whole place to yourself.
Japanese Libraries Are Shockingly Good
Japanese libraries are also incredibly well-designed.
(I can’t compare them to other countries’ libraries, though.)
For example:
・Convenient reservation and book-request systems
・Quiet and clean
・Often allow borrowing even if you’re not a local resident
・Plenty of study spaces
Public services here are surprisingly well-developed.
Japan’s Public Amenities Are High Quality
Other examples:
・Free and clean public restrooms
・Free equipment in public parks
・Public transport that runs on time
The list goes on.
Taxes Are High… but You Actually Get Something Back
People often say Japan has high taxes,
but honestly, a lot of that money comes back to us in the form of services.
Hospitals and health insurance are great examples.
Japan’s Healthcare System Is Seriously Amazing
There’s also the welfare system for people in financial hardship,
so it’s very rare for someone to starve to death
(though sadly, it still happens a few times a year).
When you think about it, Japan’s system is extremely well-built.
It’s hard to notice because you get used to it when you live here.
I do have complaints about Japan.
but thanks to these systems, life here is pretty comfortable.
So I guess I should appreciate it more.
