A Breath of Fresh Air
The fall in Japan offers the perfect time to take in the great outdoors and sleep under canvas. by Megan Waters
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f you have ever strapped on a rucksack to tour Europe, South America or other far-flung spots around the world, the chances are, at some point, you pitched a tent. Campground facilities vary greatly from country to country, and Japan is no different. “Japan is Asia’s premier four-season destination. Each season is draped in different sights, sounds and colors and this makes Japan an amazing place for camping,” says Gardner Robinson, editor in chief of Outdoor Japan Traveler magazine. “There are mountains in every direction, as well as beaches and lakes if you get out of the city and
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look around. Autocamping is also quite popular and makes for a hassle-free way to get away with the family.” Some 3,000 campgrounds are scattered all over the country, while campsites where vehicles can be parked alongside tents are common. Mostly owned and managed by public bodies, Japanese campsites are generally well equipped, clean and offer various facilities and equipment, from showers, cooking utensils and rental tents to tennis courts and kids’ playgrounds. While camping spots differ, they are often located close to hot springs and in picturesque surroundings. Robinson recommends grounds in Shizuoka’s Izu Peninsula, Nokonoshima, a “fun little island” in Fukuoka, and Sado, during the annual Earth Celebration music festival on the Niigata island. “I've always enjoyed camping next to water. There’s something special about waking up next to the ocean and getting up to go surfing or swimming,” says Robinson. “I’ve also really enjoyed camping by some beautiful lakes,
such as Inawashirako in Fukushima, Kizakiko or Aokiko near Hakuba in Nagano or Akanko in Hokkaido. Exploring the lakes is a great way to spend the day or get out and do some wakeboarding or waterskiing. You can do all of that here in Japan if you look around a bit.” The majority of campsites are accessible by bus, but some require a car to reach. If driving isn’t possible, it may be worth choosing a campground within walking or cycling distance from a train station. And if you’re unsure about access, try calling the local information center for advice and recommendations. Although reasonable, daily charges at campsites range considerably. While a nightly fee is more common, some places include a charge per person. Expect to pay between ¥500 and ¥2,500 a night. Some sites, though, are completely free of charge. Easily accessible from Tokyo for a weekend trip is Hikawa Campsite—just five minutes from Okutama Station
OUT & ABOUT
Mongolia Village Tenger
Lake Ashi Camping Village
Hikawa Campsite
on the western reaches of the capital. Fish, kayak or swim in the Tama River or hike around the many mountains that surround Lake Okutama. Open all year-round, one night’s accommodation costs just ¥700 per person. An alternative for a weekend getaway is Lake Ashi Camping Village in Hakone, a popular destination for city-worn Tokyoites. A 45-minute bus ride from Hakone-Yumoto Station on the Odakyu Line, you can enjoy boating and fishing on the lake, as well as hiking in the surrounding mountains. It’s well worth the stay for ¥1,575 per tent. For campers who don’t like the idea of roughing it, the thrill of the great outdoors has been repackaged at Wild Magic. The urban outdoor park near Toyosu Station in Tokyo, with views of Tokyo Skytree, Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower, provides barbecue facilities, a café and a special area
for events and workshops. Expect to pay for this glamping (glamorous camping) adventure. A camping experience that won’t easily be forgotten is Mongolia Village Tenger, in Tochigi Prefecture. This site offers accommodation in yurts, the circular, domed tents used by nomads in Mongolia, Turkey and Siberia. Well furnished, with carpets, curtains, beds and heating, yurts are still technically camping. Immerse yourself in Mongolian culture by taking in the on-site traditional song and dance performances. You can also try your hand at archery, or, if the nomadic lifestyle takes your fancy, yurt-making classes. Whatever your camping preference, head out for some nights under the stars this fall. o
CAMPSITES Hikawa Campsite www.okutamas.co.jp/hikawa (Japanese only) Lake Ashi Camping Village http://campmura.com (Japanese only) Wild Magic Urban Outdoor Park www.wildmagic.jp (Japanese only) Mongolia Village Tenger www.tenger.jp (Japanese only) Mapple Campsite Guide www.mapple.net/camp (Japanese only) Hatinosu Campsite Guide www.hatinosu.net/camp/ (Japanese only)
Waters is a Tokyo-based freelance journalist.
Explorations beyond the Club 41