TOKYO, Jan 21, 2026, 20:38 JST
- Apple rolled out its Fitness+ workout subscription in Japan, featuring Japanese subtitles and digitally dubbed audio.
- The service is priced at ¥980 per month or ¥7,800 annually, following a one-month free trial. Some device purchases include up to three months free.
- Apple is rolling out the launch alongside partner deals, including offers from Anytime Fitness and promotions linked to au, UQ mobile, and Benefit Station.
Apple launched its Fitness+ subscription in Japan on Wednesday, offering guided workouts and meditations with full Japanese language support. The service is priced at 980 yen per month. Apple
This launch is key to Apple’s broader services strategy, as Fitness+ aims to tie users closer to the iPhone and Apple Watch ecosystem with flexible month-to-month subscriptions. Apple confirmed the service is live in 49 countries and regions now.
In Japan, the service costs 980 yen monthly or 7,800 yen annually, according to Apple’s local site. New subscribers get a free month to test it out. If you buy certain new Apple devices, you might snag up to three months at no charge. Plus, the subscription supports Family Sharing, letting up to five family members use it. Apple
“We’re excited to introduce the Fitness+ experience to Japan,” said Jay Blahnik, Apple’s vice president of fitness technologies. He noted that workouts can be as short as five minutes and are tailored for small spaces, requiring little or no equipment.
A major element of the Japan launch is Apple’s digital translation audio — a computer-generated dubbed track mimicking each Fitness+ trainer’s voice, paired with Japanese subtitles. According to the company, this dubbing feature needs iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and tvOS 26.1, with fresh dubbed workouts rolling out weekly.
9to5Mac, an Apple-focused site, reported that the service has launched in Japan, ahead of Apple’s previous “early 2026” rollout window. The report cites Japanese site MacOtakara. 9To5Mac
The service features 12 workout categories, Apple said, covering strength training, yoga, Pilates, dance, cycling, kickboxing, and meditation. It also offers HIIT—high-intensity interval training—with sessions lasting anywhere from five to 45 minutes on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.
Apple is doubling down on Japan-focused content. The Artist Spotlight workout series will showcase tracks by Japanese duo YOASOBI, the company announced. Additionally, the Time to Walk audio series will include new episodes featuring comedian and actor Naomi Watanabe, as well as actor-musician Tomohisa Yamashita.
Apple’s rollout includes partner distribution, a strategy it doesn’t always apply elsewhere. In Japan, Anytime Fitness members will have Fitness+ included with their memberships. Plus, au and UQ mobile subscribers, along with Benefit Station users, can enjoy up to three months free access.
MacRumors pointed out that Japan lacks an Apple One Premier bundle with Fitness+, so the service is offered separately instead of being bundled into one high-end subscription. Macrumors
MacObserver noted that Apple plans to retain English workouts in Japan while introducing a new Japanese dubbed option. Additionally, some sessions will feature Spanish and German dubbing. Macobserver
Apple’s entry shakes up an already packed fitness-subscription space, where players like Peloton and Google’s Fitbit serve up paid workout content and coaching. The company is counting on seamless device integration — showing heart-rate and calorie info on-screen when linked to an Apple Watch or AirPods Pro 3 — to lock in subscribers.
Subscription workouts tend to see churn as soon as free trials end, and Apple hasn’t revealed any subscriber goals for Japan. How viewers respond to the generated-voice dubbing—and how fast Apple grows its localized library—will probably determine early adoption.
