Fitness, Play and Food at My Village, Toyosu

I recently discovered a wonderful yet little-known facility aimed at families in Toyosu. Opened late last year, My Village in Toyosu combines a kids' gym with an "oyako cafe," or a space where parents can eat in peace while their children entertain themselves in the adjacent play area before or after finishing their own meals. The complex is brand new and yet at the moment seems to be somewhat unknown. as we had the place nearly to ourselves on a recent visit.

My Village was opened in November 2015 by the My Gym Japan group. My Gym was founded in the United States and has over 200 branches around the world. According to Rosa Aldridge, My Village’s cross-cultural specialist and event planner, the aim of the facility is to create an international atmosphere in preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Located near the future Olympic stadium, it will close a few months after the Olympics.

As a My Gym Japan facility, My Village is primarily for members who pay a special monthly price to have access to the resources and classes offered. The membership fee structure is a bit complicated with different options for members and non-members, but My Village also regularly runs programs and events that are open to the public.

My daughters and I first experienced Global Village when we attended its kids’ English movie night. Disney’s Pocahontas was playing and we bought homemade popcorn for ¥300 a bag. As the facility has just opened, the attendance of the events and programs seems to be very sparse. Aside from the three kids I took to the movie night, there was just one other girl.

The staff at Global Village, Aldridge told me, hail from Australia, Japan, the United States and Russia, and work together to create a friendly and warm international space. The first floor is home to My Village Cafe, which is set up with tables and chairs and a bar with stools where food is prepared. The kids’ lounge is off to the side, with a collection of English books and a sunken sitting and playing area. This is where movie nights are held. There is also a spa area that hosts the kids’ spa sessions.

Around the corner is the gym, which is spacious with very high ceilings. The three main fitness instructors are all professional athletes and are the trainers that conduct the kids’ fitness classes. The second floor is home to the study room, which is used primarily for English lessons. On the night we went to My Village there was one boy who was personally being assisted by three trainers in the gym area.

Here are some of the events being offered at My Village in April 2016:

Sundays, 3:45–4:15 p.m., World Language Table (free)

Sundays, 2–2:30 p.m., Baby Exercise Class (free)

Mondays 4–5 p.m., Making S’mores (¥300)

Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., English Yoga (¥2,500)

Other events are regularly held on different days each month:

Kids’ Movie Night (free)

Kids’ Spa (¥3,500)

Parents’ Night Out (¥7,000)

See the full schedule here.

The Deets

Address: Toyosu 6-4-26, Koto-ku, Tokyo (please check your map carefully as GPS systems have a hard time identifying the location; there is also a regularly scheduled free shuttle bus from Toyosu Station, Urban Dock Lalaport and My Gym Toyosu)

Tel: 03-6221-9300