Anytime Fitness Akebonobashi Review — A Secret Underground Base in Shinjuku

Anytime Fitness Akebonobashi sits just a 1-minute walk from Akebonobashi Station.

The street-level exit of the Toei Shinjuku Line is framed by weathered, reddish-brown walls, the ginkgo emblem of the Toei Subway, and a simple “S03” station sign. Although this is Shinjuku Ward, the station front carries an unexpectedly nostalgic air.

The well-worn exit of Akebonobashi Station. The gym is just 1 minute away.

Right outside the station lies a small park, a narrow strip squeezed between buildings. Green rubber mats cover the ground, a winking dog-shaped spring rider stands in the middle, and a swing set waits at the far end.

It is a park with a quiet, hard-to-describe charm. Look past the play equipment, and the Anytime Fitness sign is already in view.

The walk is short, yet the scenery invites a pause and a photo along the way.

A small park tucked between buildings, with the Anytime Fitness sign already in sight.

Store Information

Facilities

• 2 floors: ground floor and basement level 1
• Smith machines and power racks: 4 in total
• Benches: 4 (including 2 adjustable benches)
• Machine brand: Life Fitness (racks by Hammer Strength)
• Leg press machines: none
• Water server: yes (hydrogen water)
• Private showers and changing rooms: yes
• Body composition analyzer: yes
• MAG grips: yes
• Wi-Fi: yes
• AED: yes
• Rental lockers: yes
• Personal trainers: yes
• Free membership for high school students: available
• Bicycle and car parking: not listed officially

Access

The gym is a 1-minute walk from Exit A2 of Akebonobashi Station on the Toei Shinjuku Line. Cut through the small park in front of the station, and the entrance is right there. Getting lost is nearly impossible.

The gym occupies the ground floor of a residential building, marked by a navy-blue sign. Through the large glass windows, the ground-floor machines are faintly visible, and a few bicycles were parked out front.

The ground-floor entrance, leading down to the basement gym.

Atmosphere and Equipment

The gym spans 2 floors. The ground floor holds the lockers, restrooms and showers, along with cardio machines and a few selectorized lower-body machines.

Honestly, the ground floor is tight.

The real training space is in the basement, though it too turns out to be more compact than expected: 4 Smith machines and power racks in total, plus 2 adjustable benches.

Being underground does not make it gloomy. Wood-paneled walls with diagonal lines and spotlights aimed at the racks give the room a warm, deliberate look.

Basement level 1. A red rack peeks out between the black ones.

Among them, a red rack stands out. Colorful racks are rare, and this is the first one to appear on the pilgrimage so far.

Standing in front of it, a multi-grip pull-up bar stretches overhead, and the mirror behind reflects yet another red rack. Red, black and wood grain make an unusual color combination for an Anytime Fitness.

A rare red rack, topped with a multi-grip pull-up bar.

There is no leg press machine, and the overall range of machines is limited. A full-body workout here calls for some creativity with free weights.

Mobile reception feels slightly weak in the basement, which may bother those who rely on music or videos while training.

Crowd Levels

The visit took place late on a Saturday morning. The gym was fairly quiet, with no waiting for equipment and a stress-free session throughout.

Rather than neat rows, the machines sit in a slightly maze-like layout. It works. Combined with the underground setting, the space feels like a secret base.

Neighborhood

Shinjuku is best known as a business district, yet a short walk is enough to change the character of the streets. Akebonobashi carries a faintly suburban calm, despite being in the heart of Tokyo.

A short walk toward Yotsuya leads to a shopfront covered in cartoon characters: “Yanase Takashi no Mise ANPANMAN SHOP,” on the ground floor of the Rokusan Building in Funamachi.

Takashi Yanase, the creator of Anpanman, lived in Shinjuku for more than 50 years. He opened this shop himself in 1994, hoping to bring life back to the neighborhood.

From an underground secret base to the world of Anpanman, it is hard not to stop and look.

ANPANMAN SHOP, opened by Takashi Yanase himself, a short walk away in Funamachi.

Even within a short distance, the people and atmosphere shift completely from block to block. That is what makes walking this part of the city so rewarding.

Summary

At 1 minute from the station, access is flawless.

On the other hand, both floors are compact, the range of machines is limited, there is no leg press, and reception is weak in the basement.

Still, a quiet late-Saturday-morning session underground is a pleasant experience. The red rack and the maze-like layout make this a gym to enjoy for its sense of small adventure rather than for efficiency.

After training, a short stroll from Akebonobashi toward Yotsuya is well worth it. The little park by the station and the Anpanman shop are both part of this neighborhood’s character.

Rating

The pilgrimage continues.

📖 Japanese Review → エニタイムフィットネス曙橋店レビュー

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