The Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Minato Ward, Tokyo, converted a banquet hall on the 10th floor of its Main Tower into a pickleball court in late March 2026 and began operation. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported it in April. One court is laid out in a section of the banquet hall (about 5 m wide × about 13 m long). The installation of pickleball courts using idle space in the main business — hotels, commercial facilities, tennis schools, and the like — is accelerating nationwide, and a path to solving Japanese players' biggest challenge of "can't find a court" has come into view.
Details of the Shinagawa Prince Hotel's effort
The Shinagawa Prince Hotel is the flagship of the Prince Hotels chain under the Seibu Group. It is known for its convenient location, a two-minute walk from the Takanawa exit of Shinagawa Station. The new pickleball court makes use of banquet-hall space on the 10th floor of the Main Tower. By assigning pickleball to off-peak times such as weekday daytime when banquet demand is low, the hotel aims to raise the facility's utilization rate.
At about 5m, the court is narrower than the official pickleball specification (6.10m x 13.41m), but it is considered spacious enough for a good playing experience. The ceiling height is also suited to pickleball.
| Item | Shinagawa Prince Hotel |
|---|---|
| Location | Inside the 10th-floor banquet hall of the Main Tower |
| Number of courts | 1 court |
| Size | About 5m wide x about 13m long |
| Start date | Late March 2026 |
| Access | 2-minute walk from the Takanawa exit of JR Shinagawa Station |
| Features | Uses open time slots in the banquet hall |
Why hotels and commercial facilities are turning to pickleball
An article in the Nikkei points out that installing pickleball courts is spreading as a move to create synergy with a facility's core business.
Hotels:They offer an activity for hotel guests and business-event attendees, generating extra revenue by making effective use of open time in banquet halls.
Commercial facilities:Picklr opening a location at AEON Mall Makuhari Shintoshinshows how, as experiential content, it can draw crowds.
Tennis schools:They can enter simply by adding pickleball lines to existing tennis courts. It becomes a new revenue stream for schools struggling with a shrinking tennis population.
A major advantage of pickleball is that it needs only about a quarter of the space of a tennis court. Because existing idle space can be repurposed at low cost, the barrier to initial investment is low.
Voices from the industry
A domestic pickleball facility operator says, "Shinagawa Prince's entry is proof that a major corporation has recognized the commercial value of pickleball. Other hotel chains will likely follow."
While players welcome it, saying, "Being able to play pickleball right by Shinagawa Station is groundbreaking. You can drop by on the way home from work," some are also concerned that "with only one court, it may be hard to get a reservation."
A pickleball equipment maker commented, "Rental demand at hotel and commercial-facility courts is high. Supplying rental paddles and balls is the next business opportunity."
New and planned pickleball facilities nationwide
| Facility Name | Location | Number of courts | Opening time | Operating form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shinagawa Prince Hotel | Shinagawa, Tokyo | 1 court | March 2026 | Uses hotel space |
| Picklr Makuhari | Makuhari, Chiba | 1 court | April 25, 2026 | Inside a commercial facility |
| Sansan PB Court Ikebukuro | Ikebukuro, Tokyo | Multiple courts (details not yet announced) | Scheduled for July 2026 | Dedicated Facility |
| Picklr Tokyo Toyosu | Toyosu, Tokyo | 7 courts | Fall 2026 | Flagship |
| Tokyo Tower Court | Shiba Park, Tokyo | 1 court | In operation | Uses naming rights |
The path to solving the court shortage
Japan's biggest pickleball challenge is that there are few places to play.Although JPA official matches are now held across the country,permanent courts where you can play every day remain limited even in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
The entry of hotels and commercial facilities is a realistic solution that increases court numbers without waiting for dedicated facilities to be built. Making use of open time in banquet halls and event spaces in particular is a smart approach that squeezes the most out of existing infrastructure.
Summary: An era when empty spaces turn into courts
Shinagawa Prince Hotel's entry marks one of the turning points where pickleball shifts from "a sport you can only play at dedicated facilities" to "a sport you can enjoy close to home." Banquet halls, tennis courts, empty commercial-facility floors -- idle spaces lying dormant across Japan are starting to turn into pickleball courts. Start by playing for an hour at Shinagawa Prince and feel this convenience for yourself.
FAQ
- Q: Can people other than hotel guests use pickleball at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel?
- A: The details are not yet public. In general, Prince Hotel sports facilities are often open to non-guests, so we recommend contacting them directly.
- Q: Do hotel courts differ from the official specification?
- A: The Shinagawa court is about 5m wide, slightly narrower than the official spec (6.10m), but there is no problem for recreational play. Official tournaments are held at dedicated facilities.
