Some Great Places to Camp Around Tokyo
Whilst holiday-makers in Japan largely gravitate towards traditional Japanese ryokan and large-scale hotels, gaining popularity in recent years has been car camping or in common Japanese parlance auto camp. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, Japan has more than 3,000 campsites dotted across the country. For those travelling around Tokyo where accommodation costs can be expensive, bringing your own tent and experiencing some beautiful scenery along the way is a worthwhile option. Though amenities at campgrounds in Japan tend to vary, they generally fall short of the conveniences you find in North America and Australia. But with a good number starting from only 500 yen ($4.50 USD per person a night) there’s not much to complain about.
Many campsites, at least in the Kanto Region are open all year round, though some are closed during the winter months or at least during the New Year holiday season. One point to be aware of is most campsites are inundated with students and families during long weekends and the summer school holidays from July 20 through August 15 where booking ahead is essential. At other times they are quiet and arriving unannounced generally won’t pose a problem. The following list of campsites can be accessed by public transport or a short taxi ride from some train stations and are all within 3.5 hours’ travel of central Tokyo.
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1. Odake Campground (Tokyo)
Located on a rather tranquil creek, the Odake campsite embodies much of what is nice about camping in Tokyo – quiet enough to feel you’ve escaped the rat race but still accessible enough from downtown Tokyo. In the summer months cool off in the cool mountain waters, enjoy some stargazing, fish for trout or visit the nearby Odake Limestone Cave and Odake Falls.
Address: 1587 Yozawa, Akiruno, Tokyo.
Cost: Tent site 1,500 yen plus 500 yen per adult per night.
Access: 30-minute bus ride from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station (JR Itsukaichi Line) Bus stop 1 get off at the Odake Shonudo Iriguchi bus stop 1.6 kilometres.
Months of operation: All year round.
Contact: 042-596-2326 URL http://otakecamp.web.fc2.com
2. Inekesaki Campground (Chiba Prefecture)
Image: Naturum / dourakuoyaji.
Perfectly positioned on shores of Lake Kameyama makes this campground an attractive proposition. The lake is popular year round for its bass fishing and the local area has has numerous nature walks. Ideal for those looking for a quiet campsite and some relaxing time out. The autumn is also a good time enjoying the changing leaves.
Address: 866 Kusagawara, Kimitsu, Chiba Prefecture.
Cost: Tent site 520 yen per adult per night.
Access: Kazusa-Kameyama Station (JR Kururi Line) 1.5 kilometres.
Months of operation: April – November.
Contact: 0439-39-3390 URL http://www.city-kimitsu.jp/kanko/spot/asobu/camp-inagasaki.html
3. Hikawa Campground (Tokyo)
Image: blogspot / cig-balik.
The Hikawa campground is located only a short 5-minute walk from Okutama Station, around 2 hours travel from central Tokyo. Like many popular camping areas in the Kanto Region it sees plenty of day trippers in the mists of the summer holiday onslaught, thankfully there are plenty of secluded river verges to escape to take in the natural surrounds. Meals can be had in the cafe or cooked in the designated BBQ areas.
Address: 702 Hikawa, Nishitama District, Okutama, Tokyo.
Cost: Tent site 800 yen per adult per night.
Access: Okutama Station (JR Ome Line) 400 metres.
Months of operation: All year round (closed from December 28 to January 5).
Contact: 0428-83-2134 URL http://www.okutamas.co.jp/hikawa
4. Shiraiwakeiyuen Campground (Saitama Prefecture)
Image: Naturum / shibainu1.
Nestled in the Naguri Valley of Chichibu finds the humble Shiraiwakeiyuen Campground a lovely spot to while away hot summer evenings. Flowing through the campsite are the crystal clear waters of the Iruma River, ideal for cooling off after a long hike. Being a good distance from Tokyo also allows for some impressive stargazing in clear weather.
Address: 2305 Kaminaguri, Hanno, Saitama Prefecture.
Cost: 600 yen per adult per night.
Access: 50-minute bus ride from Hanno Station (Seibu Ikebukuro Line) North exit get off at the Nago bus stop 2.1 kilometres.
Months of operation: April – November.
Contact: 042-979-0755 URL http://shiraiwakeiryuuen.racms.jp
5. Morinomakiba Auto Campground (Chiba Prefecture)
Image: Napcamp.
Overlooking expansive grasslands, the Morinomakiba Auto Campground is one of the more popular campsites in Chiba. This upscale campground includes all the mod cons including showers complete with flush toilets and vending machines. There is plenty of space to spread out so less chance of a neighbour hemming in your view.
Address: 562-1-3 Hayashi, Sodegaura, Chiba Prefecture.
Cost: Tent site 2,100 yen per adult per night.
Access: Higashi-Yokota Station (JR Kururi Line) 3.5 kilometres.
Months of operation: All year round (closed from December 27 to January 7).
Contact: 0438-75-2966 URL http://www7b.biglobe.ne.jp/morimaki
6. Sainokuni Camping Village (Saitama Prefecture)
Image: Naturum.
Set in a rather remote corner of Chichibu alongside the Urayama River, the Sainokuni Camping Village manages to meld well in its natural surrounds. During the summer enjoy a spot of fishing or wading through the cool stream waters. The campsite includes open pit BBQs and for children there are rabbits and goats waiting to be hand fed. Note the sites are gravel so a groundsheet or a footprint for your tent is recommended.
Address: 3236-10 Urayama, Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture.
Cost: Tent site 520 yen per adult per night.
Access: 24-minute bus ride from Seibu Chichibu Station and get off at the Urayama bus stop 3.3 kilometres.
Months of operation: April – December.
Contact: 0494-25-3148 URL http://www2.tba.t-com.ne.jp/sainokuni/index.htm
7. Uchiurayama Kenminnomori Camping Ground (Chiba Prefecture)
Image: Fc2web / mhagepopy.
Located in one of the wetter regions of Kanto and surrounded by natural forests the Uchiurayama Kenminnomori Camping Ground truly brings you back to nature. The area is ideal for hiking with several family friendly trails criss-crossing the hills and up to the Okutani Dam. There are two campsites with 50 sites and facilities include BBQs, a basic kitchen, campfires and after a long hike relax in a hot spring bath for 400 yen.
Address: 3228 Uchiura, Kamogawa, Chiba Prefecture.
Cost: Tent site up to 2 adults (small tent) 730 yen per night.
Access: Awa-Kominato Station (JR Sotobo Line) 4.2 kilometres.
Months of operation: All year round.
Contact: 0439-38-2222 URL http://www.chiba-forest.jp/uchiurayama/index.html
8. Yamano Furusatomura Camping Ground (Tokyo)
Image: Cocolog nifty / hide haikai.
Resting beside Lake Okutama the Yamano Furusatomura Camping Ground is popular for nature starved Tokyoites looking to unwind. There are 25 well-spaced campsites, along with an undercover kitchen / BBQ area and plenty of outdoor picnic tables.
Address: 1740 Kawano, Okutama, Nishitama District, Tokyo.
Cost: Tent site 200 yen per adult per night.
Access: 30-minute bus ride from Okutama Station (JR Ome Line) Ogouchi Jinja bus stop and walk across Lake Okutama floating bridge 2.4 kilometres.
Months of operation: All year round.
Contact: 0428-86-2551 URL http://www.yamafuru.com/
9. Hana Hanano Sato Camping Ground (Chiba Prefecture)
Image: Livedoor / samidareh.
Interestingly this camping ground rests on former terraced rice fields with the higher sites providing a nice outlook. Not to be underdone there are baths, hot showers and a café / restaurant dishing out reasonably priced stone oven pizzas from the main building. A hiking trail also meanders its way up to the nearby Gun Dam.
Address: 648 Kami, Futtsu, Chiba Prefecture.
Cost: Tent site 4,000 yen (Up to 5 adults per night).
Access: Onuki Station (JR Uchibo Line) 5.2 kilometres.
Months of operation: All year round.
Contact: 0439-65-5126 URL http://hanahananosato.com/
10. Eleven Auto Camp Park (Chiba Prefecture)
Image: Naturum.
Situated smack bang in the middle of the Boso Peninsula finds the rather picturesque Eleven Auto Camp Park. The camping ground has over 100 sites and is well equipped with a kitchen, hot water showers, flush toilets and a BBQ area. For kids there a fishing pond and a swimming pool to cool off on a hot summer afternoon.
Address: 300 Kuritsubo, Kimitsu, Chiba Prefecture.
Cost: Tent site 3,240 yen plus 1,080 yen per adult per night.
Access: Hirayama Station (JR Kururi Line) 2.6 kilometres.
Months of operation: All year round.
Contact: 439-27-2711 URL http://www.eleven-camp.com/
11. Jonanjima Beach Park Camping Ground (Tokyo)
Image: Napcamp.
The Jonanjima Seaside Park in Ota Ward is one of two camping grounds located within the special 23 wards of Tokyo. Along with a BBQ area, the artificial Tsubasa Beach and boardwalk its proximity to Haneda Airport makes it a perfect place to checkout low flying aircraft and ships entering and leaving the Port of Tokyo.
Address: 4-2-2 Jonanjima, Ota, Tokyo.
Cost: Tent site 600 yen per adult per night.
Access: Omori Station (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line) East exit. Take a Keikyu bus Mori32 (Jonanjima round route) and get off at the bus stop Jonanjima 4 chome 200 metres.
Months of operation: All year round (closed every Wednesday and from December 29 to January 3).
Contact: 03-3799-6402 URL http://seaside-park.jp/jonanjima/camp.html
12. Wakasu-koen Park Camping Ground (Tokyo)
Image: Tokyo Port Terminal Corporation.
On the opposing side of the Tokyo Gate Bridge finds another downtown Campground at Wakasu-koen Park. This artificial island is largely comprised of a golf course though there is plenty of open space and shared fireplaces to BBQ to your hearts content.
Address: 3-2-1 Wakasu, Koto, Tokyo.
Cost: Tent site 600 yen per adult per night.
Access: Shin-Kiba Station / Metro Yurakucho Line. Take city bus Ki-11 route to Wakasu Campground.
Months of operation: All year round (closed every Tuesday and from December 29 to January 3).
Contact: 03-5569-6701 URL http://www.tptc.co.jp/en/c_park/03_09
13. Ochizawa Youth Center Campground (Tokyo)
Image: Panoramio.
The Ochizawa Youth Center Campground sits on an attractive forested easement in Machida City. Nearby is Machida’s highest peak Mount Kusado about an hour’s hike away. Facilities include an outdoor kitchen, flush toilets and vending machines.
Address: 5307-2 Aiharamachi, Machida, Tokyo.
Cost: Tent site 600 yen per adult per night.
Access: Aihara station (JR Yokohama Line) take a Chuo Kotsu bus and get off at the Youth Center entrance bus stop 800 metres.
Months of operation: All year round (closed every Tuesday and from December 28 to January 4).
Contact: 042-782-3800 URL https://www.city.machida.tokyo.jp/kodomo/ootizawa/index.html
14. Tsukigawaso Campground (Saitama Prefecture)
Image: Fc2 / ken692.
This campground in Saitama Prefecture really comes into its own in the autumn with the changing Fall colours. In the summer enjoy swimming or fishing in the river with BBQ facilities available. While the campsite is set on a grassy field, tents can also be pitched under the trees which surround the site.
Address: 2604 Kamagata, Ranzan-machi, Hiki District, Saitama Prefecture.
Cost: Tent site 870 yen plus admission fee 300 yen per adult per night.
Access: Musashi-Ranzan Station (Tobu-Tojo Line) 3.3 kilometres.
Months of operation: April – October.
Contact: 0493-62-2250 URL http://tukigawasou.jimdo.com/
15. Ashinoko Camping Village (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Image: Yahoo / yamanekocafe.
Sitting alongside the shores of Lake Ashi and only a short walk from Togendai Station finds the quaint Ashinoko Camping Village. The campsite comes well equipped with BBQ facilities, a kitchen and an onsite public bath available for 350 yen. There is also a small shop stocking daily necessities.
Address: 164 Motohakone, Hakonemachi, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Cost: Tent site 1,000-2,000 yen plus admission fee 540 yen.
Access: Togendai Station (Hakone Ropeway) 600 metres or 45 minutes by bus from Hakone-Yumoto Station (Odakyu Line) to Togendai bus stop.
Months of operation: All year round.
Contact: 0460-84-8279 URL http://campmura.com/facility_campsite/
16. Shinodo Campground (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Image: Fc2 / blog66.
The Shinodo Campground is nestled along a river bend on the outskirts of Sagamihara City. Along with its delightful location the campsite includes a rudimentary kitchen, showers, flush toilets and an open air hut. BBQs may be had by the river along with trout fishing.
Address: 2362 Suwarashi, Midori Ward, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Cost: Tent site 900 yen per adult per night.
Access: JR Hashimoto Station or Sagamiko Station (JR Yokohama Line) take a bus for Mikagi, transfer and get off at Kashino bus stop 1 kilometre.
Months of operation: All year round.
Contact: 042-787-0141 URL http://www.shindocamp.com/local.html
17. Sakatagaike Park Campground (Chiba Prefecture)
Image: Chiba New Town.
Located virtually on the door step of Narita Airport means this campsite could pay end to expensive airport hotel charges. The Sakatagaike Park Campground includes 28 campsites starting at a ridiculous cheap 300 yen a night and a coin operated shower is also on hand. The area surrounding the campsite also has a pleasant ambiance.
Address: 1450 Odake, Narita, Chiba Prefecture.
Cost: Tent site 300-600 yen per night.
Access: Shimosa-Manzaki Station (JR Narita Line) 1.4 kilometres.
Months of operation: All year round.
Contact: 0476-29-1161 URL http://www.city.narita.chiba.jp/sisei/sosiki/koen/std0018.html
18. Taibusamisaki Campground (Chiba Prefecture)
Image: Familycamp.
The Taibusamisaki Campground on the Southwestern Boso Peninsula has two camping zones. The first campsite surrounded by trees offers more protection from the elements, while the second area is open and exposed. There is a basic cooking hut and a separate BBQ area. The Daibusamisaki Natural Park which encompasses the campground includes opportunities for hiking, bird watching and exploring tidal pools along the coastline.
Address: 1212-29 Tomiuracho Tadara, Minamiboso, Chiba Prefecture.
Cost: Tent site 620 yen per night.
Access: Tomiura Station (JR Uchibo Line) 3.7 kilometres.
Months of operation: All year round (closed from December 28 to January 4).
Contact: 0470-33-4551 URL http://taibusa-misaki.jp/camp/camp.html
19. Kitamoto City Outdoor Activity Center (Saitama Prefecture)
Image: Beanjam.
While the facilities at the Kitamoto City Outdoor Activity Center are basic the campsites are well laid out and offer some degree privacy. There is an undercover cooking / BBQ and washing up area and the grounds surrounding the centre are well maintained.
Address: 9 Chome-143 Takao, Kitamoto, Saitama Prefecture.
Cost: Tent site 500 yen per night.
Access: Kitamoto Station (JR Takasaki Line) 2.9 kilometres.
Months of operation: April – October.
Contact: 048-593-0008 URL http://kcoac.ecnet.jp/
20. Aone Campground (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Image: Blogspot / w650bizarre.
The Aone Campground is located in Northwest Kanagawa Prefecture perched beside a relaxing river. The campsite is well worth visiting year round with plenty of scope for local hiking adventures, BBQs and river fishing. Facilities include flush toilets and hot water.
Address: 807-2 Aone, Midoriku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Cost: Tent site 1,100 yen plus admission fee 760 yen per adult per night.
Access: Fujino Station (JR Chuo Main Line) take a bus for Aone and get off at Okusagamiko bus stop 2 kilometres.
Months of operation: All year round.
Contact: 042-787-1380 URL http://aonecamp.jp/
Lovely images David! Each spot looks beautiful. My wife thoroughly enjoyed her 8 month stay in Hiroshima. We’d love to visit Tokyo soon. May take convincing to get her to camp though, although we did a 6 week rough and ready house sit in the Costa Rican jungle a few months back 😉
Thanks for that Ryan. Well based on your ‘rough and ready’ house sitting in the Costa Rican jungle, I’d imagine these campsites would be relatively luxurious! Even if you don’t decide to pitch a tent, many camping grounds have affordable bungalows available for rent.
Hey thanks for sharing a photo from my blog ^^
You’re more than welcome. Thanks for the reply 😉
Hello, your blog is really great. I recently started two websites in French, still a lot to do but there are maybe ideas to share. Have a sunny day !
Thanks for your kind words Helene. Wishing you all the very best with your new blog project.
hi david, does one need to make a reservation for these campsides or just turn up? many thanks Kat
Hi Kat, it’s best to contact the campsite in advance especially during peak holiday periods. Having said that, if you decide to turn up on whim and you’re just looking for somewhere to pitch a tent for the night, I have found the majority of campgrounds to be very accommodating.
Thanks for this David!
I think we will take our chances. Having no Japanese to speak of, it makes the whole thing very complicated if we try to make contact. Trying to organise Mt Takao campsite, even with the assistance of tourist information, required pre booking by both phone and offical postcard, with one month of notice prior to the required dates. We just gave up in the end. Outside of peak season perhaps we might get lucky with turning up! Just wanted to check we weren’t breaking any law or unwavering convention by doing so!
Your blog is fantastic by the way – a mine of information.
Kat
Hi Kat, I feel your pain regarding the bureaucracy of getting seemingly small things done here. The peak holiday periods are worth giving a wide berth to if you can help it. As I said previously, if your desire is to pitch a tent for a night most places will welcome you with open arms. Tomorrow night for example I’m planning to stay at camping ground in Kawakami, Nagano without booking ahead. Also open campsites without marked spaces to show the boundary for each camper are probaby a better bet for weekends etc as the owners have more ‘squeeze room’ to fit everyone in. Anyway thanks again for the kudos and let me know how you get on.
Just as a small footnote to what I wrote above. The last couple of days I stayed at the Mawarime-daira campground 廻り目平キャンプ場 in the foothills near Mt. Kinpu. It’s a really beautiful camping spot with lots adventure as well as family oriented activities including day walks and exploring swimming holes along the river. I had absolutely no problem arriving without making contact ahead of time. At peak periods it does get busy, but the camping area is so massive it would rarely if ever reach capacity. Most people drive there which is well recommended, but it’s is also accessible by bus albeit with a decent walk up to the main lodge.
Great information David! Thanks. I think we are going to camp this Saturday night, and might well try your above recommendation
. Will let you know how we get on!
Hi David,
Loved reading your blog as we planned on camping if possible towards our last leg of our 1 month stay in Japan ending in Tokyo. We are at present in Niseko & plan to reach Tokyo on 1st of July. I called up 2 camp sites, but both of them speak only Japanese.
We plan to stay in Tokyo for 10 days and also have hotel bookings as a back up. It would be great if you could help us on the following:
1. Since none of them speak English, can we stay in the camp site without a booking during the 1 week of July ?
2. What could be the best camping sites near or within Tokyo ?
Thanks
Subhash
Hi Subhash,
Firstly thank you for your kind words. As you quickly discovered it can be frustrating making reservations in English but sometimes you get lucky. Anyway, the good news is the start of July is pretty quiet so any of these campsites would be fine to arrive at without booking if you simply wanted to pitch your tent. As a general rule of thumb, unless you wish to reserve a bungalow or a lodge, are car camping or wish to stay during peak seasons, arriving unannounced during operating hours is perfectly fine. Having said that, two campsites which you will have absolutely no problem staying at are the Hikawa Campground in Okutama and the Tsukigawaso Campground in neighboring Saitama Pref. which both work on a first-come, first-served basis. Good luck with it all and let me know how you get on.
Lovely images David! think we are going to camp this Saturday night, and might well try your above recommendation
Perfectly described! Great thanks to you Mr. David! My family and I love camping and fishing. We literally go camp anywhere every weekend. These list is a good source for me. We would try each one around Chiba. Next week’s destination is the #2 in these blog. By the way, last week we were in #18. It was a fantastic place, cheap and very relaxing. In the morning, we went to Okinoshima to swim with my kids. Luckily we got a good sunny day that time.
I have a question though, are these lists some kind of a ranking by number? 1 means best or 20?
Thanks in advance!
Cherry,
Thanks for your comment and question. It’s great to hear you’ve been checking out some of these campsites. The numbers are purely used as reference markers and not as a ranking. Enjoy the Inekesaki Campground and hopefully the weather holds up for you!
Hello,
I’m planning a longish bicycle tour of Japan from Tokyo to Kyoto/Osaka and then the 88 Temples around Shikoku come this September…I plan on doing nine weeks on as few nickels as possible, thus a tent and legitimate/guerilla camping is the the main order of the day (with a few hot springs and some good coffee thrown in to the mix)….anyone know where to organize some maps in English that might post such legitimate sites as well as offering bike routes?…I’m planning to hug the Eastern coast as much as possible depending on elevation (turning 60 on this trip and I’m slowly acquiring geezers knees)…I’m aware of couchsurfing sites and such but I want to go as independent, as unobtrusive, and moreover as cheaply, etc. ad nauseum, as possible…anyone?
Orlando Morales
Orlando, have you had a look at bikemap.net? It includes several longer bike routes including Tokyo to Osaka. From this site it’s also possible to download the GPX/KML files or make a print version for free. Apart from touristy areas there are is unfortunately a poor selection of maps available in English. For tracking down the location of campsites, Google is your best friend. Simply paste “キャンプ場” campu-jo (campsite) near the location where you’d like to sleep out and look potential camping spots. Wikitravel also has a good article on urban camping in Japan which I recommend checking out. Provided that you’re discreet it’s possible to camp in public parks outside the downtown.
Mr. Lowe! Great site and thanks for the response. Yeah I’ve perused the Wikitravel article and I have some feathers in the bonnet with regards to guerilla camping, but I admit to being intimidated by Japan’s often urban density. But the bikenet set is new to me, and I look forward to using it. I used Google from East to West Europe a few years ago and that was quite useful…anyhoo, much thanks and all the best, hope to drop in again soon
Hi David we are on a Round the world cycle trip and arrive in Tokyo on 31 March. We looked at a couple of campsites on Google in Tokyo. From what I can gather they seem to be Bbq campsites? I.e. Wakasu. Do you know if these places are manned? Could we leave our trikes and tent set up and go explore Tokyo without worry for our kit? Thanks Darren and Heulwen http://www.facebook.com/trikes.Azub
Hi Darren, you’re spot on, Wakasu-koen Park and Jonanjima Beach Park campgrounds primarily cater for families and the day tripping BBQ crowd. On weekends they tend to be jam-packed. Mid-week however they are pretty quiet and would make a nice base for your activities in Tokyo. Both campgrounds have manned service centres open during business hours. However, they only accept reservations via telephone 9:00 to 16:30 (Wakasu campground is closed on Tuesday’s and Jonanjima on Wednesday’s). At Jonanjima campground you are limited to 3 nights. You should have no problem leaving your tent set up and bikes provided they are secured when you’re out and about.
Great Blog David. Do yu think it is best to have your own transportation, like a rental car to fully enjoy the camping option.
Larry, it’s entirely up to yourself. I don’t carry a lot of gear and actually enjoy the convenience of using public transportation. Of course a car comes in handy if you’re travelling as a family or carrying a lot of camping equipment. In some cases, the campground is too far from the nearest bus stop and the only practical options are either private car or forking out for a taxi.
Hi David,
I recall somewhere on your blog that you said it cool to pitch a tent pretty much anywhere when hiking. Is that really so? I am planning my first overnight and want to tent it. I recall this summer coming across a great spot around mutsuishiyama or takanosu and was surprised there were no signs that anyone had ever pitched a tent there. Also, how about fires? I never see any or any remains.
Thanks for the blog. I’m going to ask my wife to help me figure out your “Buy me a coffee” function.
Hi Patrick,
Thanks so much for the Ko-fi I really appreciate it!
You’re right, some years back I did a post on wild camping including some general tips. Actually I also wild camped on my first overnight hike coming off Mt Daibosatsu. If you’re intending to do so make sure you keep a low profile by setting up your tent late in the afternoon and making an early exit and of course leaving your site as pristine as you found it. I’d also recommend not camping closer than 30 minutes from designated campsites. As for fires I don’t often light them myself unless there’s a reason but if you’re away from the trail in a cleared area where you’re sure you can contain it, it may be possible. Occasionally I come across former fire pits but as you say they’re not as common as you’d find in say Australia. On my Mt. Takanosu hike I pitched in a clearing not far from the hut and there is a waterhole nearby which makes it a good spot.
Hi David,
I have done some camping and hiking here in Japan. But I really will like to try and do hike-camp-hike for the first time.
Most places I have seen online in English are either just for hiking or just for camping, but cant seem to find places where I can do both.
Do you have any commendations? specially for a first timer, I don’t want to try alps just yet. I want to see how my body can handle a big bag-pack and hiking. I am a petite women so, I am afraid my body wont be able to handle it, but is something I really want to try.
Hi Kriss,
I understand you don’t want to try the higher Alps but you should aim to hike over 1,500 metres as during the summer it’s simply too hot under this elevation. Also, first time hikers tend to overpack so try not to carry more than 10 kgs (excluding water). One idea is heading to Mawarime-daira in Kawakami Village, Nagano Prefecture a beautiful campsite with plenty of day hiking options. Alternatively, as a through hike try Oze or the Odashirogahara marshlands both of which are suitable for first time hikers.
I am looking for a campsite for a small campervan in the area off the Olympic Canoe course.
Wakasu looks fine to me. Is it possible to reserve a place at the campsite from 20 till 26 July? And what are the costs for two people and a campervan?
Reservations at Wakasu can be made up to three months in advance by contacting the service center on 03-5569-6701. One-time use is limited to 3 nights. Please check this page which shows the current booking availability: http://www.tptc.co.jp/park/03_09/reservation_info. Large sized vehicles i.e. campervans cost 2,000 yen a day to park and it’s 600 yen per adult per night to camp. Note there are no powered sites at Wakasu and RVs are not allowed in these tent-only campsites.
We are three people with 2 small tents. We will arrive to Haneda airport on 1 Aug and leave on 10 Aug. (9 nights). We wish to camp in Koto. Any ideas?
I recommend making a booking at either Wakasu-koen Park which is in Koto-ku (ward) or Jonanjima Beach Park in Ota Ward. Note however one-time use at Wakasu campground is limited to 3 nights and Jonanjima campground is closed every Wednesday.
Any camping places that allow dogs?
Try searching 関東のキャンプ場一覧（ペット同伴可）petto dōhan-ka (pets allowed) for campgrounds in the Kanto region. There seems to be quite a few.