What is Pickleball?
Tennis × badminton × table tennis. Take the best of all three and you get Japan's fastest-growing sport. Never held a racket? You'll be rallying on day one.
The best of three sports.
Tennis strategy
The net battles and doubles teamwork come straight from tennis. All the fun of thinking two shots ahead.
Badminton court
The court is roughly badminton-sized (about 13m × 6m). Half the size of tennis, so there's far less running and it's easy on your body.
Table tennis ease
You play with a stringless paddle and a perforated plastic ball. It feels as approachable as ping-pong, and you'll connect from your very first swing.
Japan's fastest-growing sport.
America's fastest-growing sport has properly arrived in Japan.
The newer you are, the harder you'll fall for it.
Save the fine print for later. You'll be playing real games on day one.
Far less running than tennis. Knees and lower backs approve.
The ball is slower and the bounce is gentle. Even two beginners can keep a rally going.
One of the few sports where generations genuinely compete and laugh together.
Four rules get you playing.
Serve from below the waist, diagonally across the court
Right after the serve, each side lets the ball bounce once before hitting
No volleys inside the no-volley zone by the net
Win by 2 points. Doubles is the standard game
Frequently asked questions
Pickleball is a paddle sport born in the US in 1965 that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. You play with a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball on a court about the size of a badminton court.
Very. The basic rules take 10 to 15 minutes to learn, and the ball moves relatively slowly, so you'll be rallying on your very first day.
Just a paddle and a ball. Most beginner sessions lend out rental paddles, so comfortable clothes and gym shoes are all you need to show up with.
At gyms and dedicated courts across the country. Pikuru's court search lets you find nearby courts and beginner-friendly events for free.
The court is about half the size, serves are underhand, and there's a no-volley zone at the net called the kitchen, so placement and strategy beat raw power.
Read more: Pickleball rules for beginners / Pickleball in Japan
Come try it once. You'll get it.
Beginner-friendly trial sessions run all over Japan, and most lend you a paddle. Show up empty-handed; the first long rally will do the rest.
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