Aim We aimed to examine the pain prevalence among residents who stayed at healthcare facilities for the elderly requiring long‐term care in Japan, and explore factors related to self‐reported pain. Methods This was a cross‐sectional study. All residents in nine healthcare facilities in Japan were asked to participate in the present study, with the exclusion of short‐term and temporary residents. Demographic data were collected from participating residents' medical records. The residents were evaluated using the Barthel Index, the Folstein Mini‐Mental State Examination and Self‐Rated Health measures. After/during patients underwent a body movement protocol, self‐reported pain/Abbey Pain Scale scores were obtained. The χ2‐test, t‐test and logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify factors related to pain. Results Data were obtained from 246 residents. The prevalence of pain among the residents was 47.2%. Self‐rated health status and history of fracture were significantly associated with self‐reported pain. Logistic regression analysis showed that self‐rated health status (odds ratio [OR] 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28–0.88), mental health diagnoses (OR 9.18, 95%CI 1.27–66.52) and respiratory diagnoses (OR 0.16; 95%CI 0.03–0.97) were associated with pain experienced by residents. Conclusions Nearly half of the residents suffered from pain on movement. The pain of these elderly residents should be managed in order to improve their health status. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 14: 481–489.