The Picklr, the world's largest dedicated indoor pickleball chain, is landing in Japan. Nippon Pickleball Holdings Co., Ltd. (NPBH), headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, has signed a master franchise agreement, will open its first location in the greater Tokyo area within 2026, and aims to expand to 20 facilities nationwide thereafter.
米国では4,830万人（テニス約2,000万人・ゴルフ約2,500万人を超える規模）がピックルボールを楽しんでいるとされ、年平均成長率35%で急拡大中。日本でも本格的なインフラを伴った施設展開が進むことになる。
What kind of facility is The Picklr
The Picklr is a franchise chain of dedicated indoor pickleball facilities operating in the U.S. They are purpose-built (designed specifically for pickleball) indoor facilities with the following features.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Facility type | Fully indoor and climate-controlled |
| Number of courts | Varies by facility (the U.S. standard is 8–16 courts) |
| Programs offered | Leagues, lessons, free play, and tournaments |
| Ancillary functions | Retail (equipment sales), lounge, and coaching services |
| Operating model | A hybrid of membership plus pay-per-visit |
The Picklr CEO Jorge Barragan commented, "Japan's precision, wellness, and community culture align perfectly with The Picklr's brand values," clearly positioning Japan as a key market.
Background on Nippon Pickleball Holdings (NPBH)
NPBH is a company founded in 2024 and based in Shibuya, Tokyo, with Kenton Stehr as CEO. In addition to acquiring The Picklr master franchise, it operates the following businesses.
- Mino Pickleball: paddle and apparel brand
- Pickle Tokyo: pickleball information media
- Participation in Pacific Pickle Club: involvement in urban pickleball facilities
In January 2026, it signed a strategic partnership with AOI Pro. (a major video production company) and began collaborating on content production to spread pickleball as a lifestyle culture. This trinity of media × facilities × equipment for developing the market is a strategic move that goes beyond merely rolling out sports facilities.
An analysis of the current state of the Japanese pickleball market
Differentiation from existing facilities
Currently, pickleball facilities in Japan can be broadly classified into the following categories.
| Type | Example | Features | Challenge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Converted tennis courts | Tennis clubs in various regions | Low-cost and easy to introduce | Mostly outdoor and not purpose-designed |
| Inside multipurpose sports facilities | Attached to fitness gyms | Easy access for existing members | Few courts and hard to reserve |
| Dedicated to pickleball (small scale) | Pickleball Base Osaka (6 courts) and others | Comfortable with purpose-designed layouts | Limited facility scale |
| The Picklr Japan (planned) | First location in greater Tokyo through 20 facilities nationwide | International-standard dedicated facilities with a full coaching setup | Rolling out from 2026 onward |
What most distinguishes The Picklr from the rest is that it is "purpose-built." Ceiling height, court size, flooring, lighting, and soundproofing are all designed specifically for pickleball, creating an environment where you can practice daily on competition-quality courts. This is a level that existing converted facilities cannot achieve.
Market size and growth potential
日本のピックルボール競技人口は現時点では数万人規模とされているが、米国の急拡大パターンと同様の軌跡をたどれば5〜10年で数百万人規模になる可能性がある。以下のような層からの取り込みが想定されている。
- Those with tennis or badminton experience: the rules are close, making it easy to transition
- Seniors: low-impact, with less strain on knees and lower back
- Wellness-minded people in their 30s–50s: rising in popularity as a community sport
- Corporate health-management initiatives: increasing adoption for team building
また、PPA ASIA 500 Sansan東京オープン2026（2026年7月開催）のようなbringing international tournaments to Japanも相まって、競技人口と施設需要は連動して拡大していくと見込まれる。
Information for players: where and when you can play
Plans for the first location
According to current official information, the first directly operated location is planned to open in the greater Tokyo area (the Tokyo metropolitan area) within 2026. The specific address and opening date have not been announced, but NPBH plans to expand from Tokyo to Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, and elsewhere.
Planned rollout cities (from the official announcement)
- Greater Tokyo (first location)
- Hokkaido
- Miyagi
- The Chukyo region (the Nagoya area)
- The Hanshin region (the Osaka–Kobe area)
- Hiroshima
- Fukuoka
- Okinawa
Since the rollout is mainly by franchise, opening timing may shift depending on tie-ups with local facility operators and property owners. The latest information will be released as it becomes available on NPBH's official website (nipponpickleball.com).
What you can do now: a recommendation to prepare in advance
Even while waiting for The Picklr Japan to open, facilities where you can start pickleball are increasing across Japan.Pickleball One (backed by Mitsui Fudosan, TBS, Dentsu, and Sansan)is planning a large facility with more than 20 courts (opening date undecided), and pickleball facilities in Japan look set to expand quickly over the next two to three years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. When will The Picklr Japan open?
At present, the first location is planned to open in the greater Tokyo area (the Tokyo metropolitan area) within 2026. The specific schedule has not been announced. Check NPBH's official website (nipponpickleball.com) for the latest information.
Q. Is The Picklr membership-based? How much does it cost?
The Picklr in the U.S. is a hybrid of membership plus pay-per-visit. Pricing for Japan has not been announced, but in the U.S. memberships of around $50–80 per month are common. Prices in Japan are expected to be set to match market conditions.
Q. Can pickleball beginners use it?
Yes. The Picklr offers coaching services, beginner clinics, and lesson programs, so even those with no experience can start with peace of mind. The facility design is also suited to people who "want to play a sport but don't know where to begin."
Summary
The Picklr's arrival in Japan symbolizes the Japanese pickleball market's shift from an "experience phase" to an "infrastructure phase." Once international-standard dedicated facilities are rolled out at 20 locations nationwide, a virtuous cycle will emerge in which the competitive population, tournaments, media, and equipment market all grow in tandem.
We'll continue to keep an eye on opening information for the first Tokyo location. Those just becoming interested in pickleball would do well to grasp the basic rules and equipment now, so they can get off to a smooth start when the facility opens.
