7 Campsites And Glampsites In Japan That Are Better Than Any Hotel

People in Japan are great lovers of nature and the outdoors. There are plenty of ways to escape the concrete jungle of the big city for all levels of ‘outdoorsy’ people, from simple nature walks to the strenuous trek up Mount Fuji. The same goes for camping, and with Japan’s extensive number of campsites and ‘glampsites’ — decked out with all the comforts required for ‘glamping’, or ‘glamorous camping’ — you can rough it as much as or as little as you’d like. And for some of them, you don’t even need to stray far from the city to enjoy them.

Campsites

Paddington Bear Campground, Kanagawa Prefecture

Paddington Bear Campground, located about an hour’s drive from Tokyo, is one of the largest campsites found in the Kanto region and is equipped with everything you need for a relaxing stay. Choose from various lodging options, including teepee-style tents, camper trailers, and deluxe cottages, all with meals included. The site is very family-friendly and is connected to the Sagamiko Resort ‘Pleasure Forest’, which offers plenty of activities for kids, including obstacle courses, zip lining, go-karts, and even a small amusement park with a Ferris wheel at the top of a mountain. At night, the resort is lit up with millions of brilliant LED fairy lights.

Paddington Bear Campground, 1634 Wakayanagi, Midori Ward, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa prefecture, Japan, +81 042-685-0917

Snow Peak Headquarters Camp Field, Niigata Prefecture

This expansive 40-acre campsite beneath the big blue sky of Niigata Prefecture is located adjacent to the Snow Peak Headquarters, a family-owned Japanese company specializing in outdoor gear and apparel. The campsite is popular year-round, even in the winter, and Snow Peak offers tents and camping equipment for rent if you don’t have your own, as well as lessons for beginners to learn how to properly set up camp.

Snow Peak Headquarters Camp Field, 456 Nakanohara, Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, +81 0256-41-2222

Chihaya Enchi Park Mount Kongo Campground, Osaka Prefecture

One of the most popular campsites in the Kansai region, Mount Kongo offers excellent hiking, plus a cable car for those seeking a more leisurely way up the mountain, and is dotted with numerous shrines for exploring as well as the Chihaya Nature and Astronomy Museum. You can bring your own tent, stay in one of the tents that the campsite sets up during the summertime, or reserve a bungalow cabin for an additional fee. The facilities have barbecue grills and pizza ovens available for rent, as well as an onsen spa for bathing.

Chihaya Enchi Park Mount Kongo Campground 1313-2 Chihaya, Chihaya Akasaka-mura, Minamikawachi-gun, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, +81 0721-74-0056

Yusui Shizen no Mori, Kumamoto Prefecture

This campsite located in Kumamoto Prefecture’s Yusui-kyo Gorge offers stunning views of waterfalls as well as verdant greenery in the spring and summertime and red and gold foliage in the autumn. Book a cottage amidst the trees or set up camp by the river, which is popular for swimming and canyoning. A quaint coffee shop serving delicious seasonal sweets is also located near the campsite.

Yusui Shizen No Mori, Nishizato 4839, Oguni-cho, Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, +81 090-2398-2892

Glampsites

HOSHINOYA Fuji, Yamanashi Prefecture

The first glampsite resort in Japan and still one of the best, HOSHINOYA Fuji overlooks Kawaguchi Lake at the base of Mount Fuji. Nestled in the mountains among red pine trees, the resort offers peaceful seclusion and the ultimate in comfort and relaxation. In the daytime, enjoy a serene canoe ride or an invigorating horseback ride through the forest. At night, dine on a camp-style meal prepared by a first-rate chef.

HOSHINOYA Fuji, 1408 Oishi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, +81-50-3786-1144

Inn The Park, Shizuoka Prefecture

At Inn The Park located in Numazu, Shizuoka, you’ll feel like you’re sleeping among the treetops staying in one of their hanging tsurushi tents with a skylight that offers a view of the forest canopy overhead. Cabins are also available for those who prefer to stay on the ground. For an additional fee, guests can enjoy restaurant-quality meals on site that are prepared with locally sourced ingredients.

Inn The Park, Ashitaka 220-4, Numazu City, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan, + 81 055-939-8366

Ise-Shima Everglades, Mie Prefecture

This American Everglades-inspired glampsite in Mie Prefecture is located on an open lagoon that has private bungalows accessed by canoe. Enjoy American-style food and barbecue, canoeing and paddle boating, and plenty of kid-friendly games and activities. The campsite also offers cottages with wheelchair ramps and accessible toilets and baths.

Ise-Shima Everglades, 1365-10 Isobecho Anagawa, Shima City, Mie prefecture, Japan, +81 0120-592-364

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.