1Basketball for Beginners in Tokyo | 放課後ばすけ (Hōkago Basuke)
Are you an international student or expat in Tokyo looking to play basketball and meet new people? 放課後ばすけ (Hōkago Basuke) is a basketball circle for people in their teens and 20s, based in Tokyo. No experience necessary.
2What is 放課後ばすけ?
放課後ばすけ (literally "After-school Basketball") is one of Tokyo's largest casual basketball circles, with 40–100 participants per event. We hold regular events at Komazawa Olympic Park in Setagaya, Tokyo.
3Key facts:
- ●Over 70% of participants are beginners or first-timers
- ●Solo participants welcome — about half of attendees come alone
- ●30–40% of participants are women
- ●Mix of university students and working adults (20s)
4How to Get to Komazawa Olympic Park
Komazawa Olympic Park is accessible from most parts of Tokyo:
| From | Route | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Shibuya | Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line → Komazawa-daigaku Sta. | ~10 min |
| Shinjuku | Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line → Komazawa-daigaku Sta. | ~20 min |
| Ikebukuro | Fukutoshin Line → Shibuya → Den-en-toshi Line | ~35 min |
| Waseda | Tokyo Metro Tozai Line → Otemachi → Hanzomon Line | ~30 min |
From Komazawa-daigaku Station (東急田園都市線), the park is a 5-minute walk.
5What to Expect on the Day
- Check-in — Arrive at the venue and pay the participation fee
- Warm-up — Group stretching and passing drills (easy for beginners)
- Team formation — Random teams are assigned each time
- Games — 3v3, 4v4, 5v5 formats; substitutions allowed anytime
- Free time — Mingle after the games
6Participation Fee
- ●Male: ¥3,000
- ●Female: ¥1,000
7What to Bring
- ●Comfortable sportswear
- ●Sneakers (basketball shoes not required)
- ●Towel
- ●Water
- ●Participation fee (cash)
8Is Japanese Required?
Basketball is universal — you don't need Japanese to enjoy the games. The main communication during play is simple: "Nice!", "Pass!", "Go!" — gestures and energy carry the rest.
Announcements and instructions are in Japanese, but staff are friendly and happy to assist.
9How to Join
Add the official LINE account to receive information about upcoming events. We hold events on weekday evenings and weekends throughout the year.
Whether you're here to study, work, or travel, 放課後ばすけ is a welcoming place to play basketball and make new friends in Tokyo.
