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Ask anyone who’s ever seen an adult movie in Japan. Or, at least, anyone who has ever spent some time on the internet. More than likely, they’ll know this swimming pool.


This article was originally published on February 11, 2014. It contains content some readers might find objectionable.

In Japanese, the pool is called “that pool” (あのプール or ano puuru) or “the usual pool” (例のプール or rei no puuru).


[Edited by Kotaku]

It’s been featured in numerous Japanese adult movies, and it’s become part of the country’s internet subculture.

No wonder the pool was recreated by a Japanese Minecraft player.


(Actually, created by many Minecraft players.)


People have brought it to life other ways.


In 2013, it even popped up in Weekly Jump, a manga for kids, as a gag.




The real pool is located in a Shinjuku high rise and embodies the country’s past economic excesses.




A Japanese television show featured the pool once, explaing that thespian and Darkrai voice actor Koji Ishizaka once lived in the apartment, but has long since moved out. The years that followed made the resident’s swimming hole infamous.


In 2004, Akiba Blog points out, that pool made an appearance in an adult film called Complete Conquest: Swimming Race Bathing Suits.


The pool is now owned by P-Studio, which rents out the apartment for shoots.


The pool has appeared in so many adult films that a tome on it was first published in late 2013.


It features interviews with porn stars, factoids, bikini pics, and a list of movies featuring the pool.


Here the pool is an advertisement for adult toys.


It shows up in adult games.


And in nearly adult games.


As a gag, a faux background was created for cosplayers to take jokey photos.



The pool has knowingly appeared in anime, too. However, the swimming pool also shows up in places you’d never expect.



Kamen Rider Fourze (above), which is aimed at children, featured the pool in an innocuous scene—something that was quickly noticed online in Japan.

Other dramas, including one starring famous actress Satomi Ishihara, featured the pool—which likewise caused amusement online.


Above, mainstream detective show Aibou featured the pool in an episode, creating a slew of puns online with the show’s name: “aibou” written as 相棒 means “partner” or “buddy;” however, “aibou” written as 愛棒 means “love stick.”


Love stick, huh? A good title for a possible porn parody of the show—no doubt with scenes shot on location at the country’s most infamous swimming pool.