Find the Campsite You Want to Visit! 20 Recommended Campgrounds in Japan

Prices generally increase in this order: free site → partitioned site → accommodations.
Facilities vary greatly depending on the campground, but better-equipped sites may include toilets, showers, and AC power outlets.
Depending on the facility, additional fees such as admission, setup fees, and parking charges may apply, and many also charge different rates during busy seasons and on weekends or holidays.
For that reason, we recommend checking the official website in advance when choosing a campground.

Located in a corner of Daigo Wide Area Park in Ibaraki Prefecture, Auto Campground Green Villa is a famous facility that is consistently ranked among the top campgrounds in eastern Japan.
It sits at an elevation of 180 meters surrounded by rich nature, and you can also enjoy nearby hot springs and athletic facilities.
Its biggest appeal is its clean, high-standard facilities and the excellent hospitality with attention to detail.
In addition to full rental sets for a hands-free visit, essential items are also available for individual rental.
Because you can camp comfortably and safely, it is especially recommended for beginners, women, and families.

Miami Beach Auto Campground in Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture, is a popular facility where you can enjoy spectacular views of Lake Biwa.
The beautiful sandy beach stretching for Approx. 1 km in front of you and the sight of neatly arranged tents create a resort-like atmosphere you cannot experience elsewhere.
Another appealing point is that you can also enjoy swimming, fishing, and kayaking.
In addition to rentals of essential gear, there are three types each of tents and cabins, so you can choose what suits your needs.
It is also nice that each facility comes equipped with AC power and hot showers.

Nagatoro Auto Campground in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture, is a facility surrounded by forests despite being close to central Tokyo, with unique rock formations and fast-flowing streams as its highlights. Easy access by both car and train is also one reason for its popularity.
What makes this campground especially appealing is its thoughtful consideration for women.
From a women-only powder room with hair dryers to a nursing room, careful attention has been paid throughout the site.
There are six types of tents depending on the site, and the bungalows with cute interiors are also recommended.
The shop rents and sells camping gear, so you can enjoy camping casually.

Utarube Campground in Aomori Prefecture is a popular site known for its nature-rich location along the eastern shore of Lake Towada.
The lakeside view from your tent is sure to be unforgettable.
Canoe tours with Lake Towada as the backdrop are also popular with visitors as an activity that offers a refreshing experience.
It is also close to sightseeing spots such as Oirase Gorge and Mount Hakkoda, where you can enjoy more stunning scenery.
Essential camping gear is available for rent, but quantities are limited, so be careful during busy seasons.

Kita Karuizawa Sweet Grass in Gunma Prefecture is an extremely popular campground that is sometimes described as the best in Japan.
One of its biggest strengths is that anyone can enjoy it, whether you are a beginner or experienced camper, solo traveler, or family.
Its luxurious design and extensive facilities, which make for an elegant stay far beyond what you might expect from a campground, are deeply satisfying.
At the same time, the area is surrounded by Mount Asama, so you can still enjoy a nature-filled camping experience.
Reservations are especially hard to get on weekends and during holiday periods, so keep that in mind.

Bandai-Asahi National Park, which spans Yamagata, Fukushima, and Niigata prefectures, is the second-largest national park in Japan.
Its vast grounds are surrounded by mountains such as the Asahi Mountain Range and Mount Bandai, and are filled with dramatic volcanic landscapes, lakes, marshes, and forests.
Matsubara Campground is located near the shore of Lake Hibara in Fukushima Prefecture, the gateway to Bandai-Asahi National Park.
With an analog concept, this campground feels like a hidden destination that cannot be reached by car, and your visit begins with a boat transfer, though walking is also possible.
A full set of camping gear is available for rent, so you can visit hands-free.
In this great natural setting far from the city, you can fully enjoy activities such as Tarzan ropes, boards, and fishing.
Precisely because the environment is a little inconvenient, it is easier to immerse yourself in camping and create lasting memories, which is one reason users are so satisfied.

Aso-Kuju National Park, which spans Oita and Kumamoto prefectures, is a historic national park designated in 1934.
Its appeal lies in the magnificent natural scenery created by one of the world’s largest calderas, formed by nearby Mount Aso, and the surrounding volcanic mountains.
The unique volcanic terrain and biodiversity of plants and animals are also major highlights.
Kuju Kogen Soumi Campground is located on the Kuju Highlands in Oita Prefecture within Aso-Kuju National Park.
The views of Mount Kuju and the five peaks of Aso from an elevation of 850 meters are absolutely spectacular, and the fields of grass and flowers blooming all around create an ideal camping setting.
There are also waterfalls, streams, and wetlands nearby, so you can enjoy nature to your heart’s content.
Gear is available, but reservations are required for rentals, so be careful.

Ise-Shima National Park, located across the Shima Peninsula in Mie Prefecture, consists of two areas: inland sites such as Ise Jingu and coastal areas featuring the ria coastline.
The scenery, where history and nature come together, offers a unique sense of place that is special to Ise-Shima, and you can also experience local traditions such as ama diving.
Compared with other national parks, it has a larger proportion of privately owned land, so it also has deeper ties to local culture and customs.
Kamidake Terrace, which opened in spring 2023, is a hidden retreat-like facility located within Ise-Shima National Park.
One of its major features is that an IT company was involved in its creation, and it combines a coworking space with a campground.
In addition to toilets and AC power, it is also fully equipped with Wi-Fi and office equipment such as copy machines.
It has already become a popular spot in Ise, offering a place where you can work while stimulating your senses in nature, then deepen connections through camping after work.

Fumotoppara in Shizuoka Prefecture is a popular campground often called a sacred place for campers.
Its biggest appeal is the up-close panoramic view of Mount Fuji, from the summit all the way to the base.
The vast grounds, where cars are also allowed, have no forests or mountains blocking the view, giving the site an outstanding sense of openness.
It is also nice that you can set up your tent wherever you like.
Since Mount Fuji looks different depending on your location and the season, you are unlikely to get tired of visiting again and again.
This campground also has a wide range of rental gear and accommodations such as cottages, so you should be able to stay comfortably.

Urban Camping Asagiri Takarayama in Shizuoka Prefecture is a campground where you can stay in the kind of comfort you would expect in the city.
Along with a superb location offering full views of Mount Fuji, another reason for its popularity is its well-equipped facilities, including hot-water washing areas and toilets.
The private open-air baths, made of cypress and lava rock, are especially popular because you can relax while looking at Mount Fuji.
The view from the observation deck is also wonderful.
Because you can stay comfortably while still enjoying the great outdoors, it is also recommended for camping beginners who want to see spectacular views of Mount Fuji.

Retreat Camp Mahoroba in Yamanashi Prefecture is a campground built around the concept of mindfulness for physical and mental well-being.
Its greatest appeal is the exceptionally luxurious view of Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi from the hillside.
The sight of Lake Kawaguchi stretching calmly below the majestic Mount Fuji is breathtakingly beautiful.
You will likely also find the nighttime city lights soothing, created by the townscape and car lights below.
The nearby scenic spot Tenku no Torii at Kawaguchi Asama Shrine is popular with international visitors and well worth a stop.
Another reason for its popularity is its clean, well-equipped facilities and the care shown in every detail.

Hikawa Campground, located in the great outdoors of Okutama in Tokyo, is a well-accessible facility about Approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes from central Tokyo and a 5-minute walk from the nearest station.
One of its features is that open fires, which are often prohibited for nature conservation reasons, are allowed here along the riverbank only.
That makes it a perfect place for bushcraft camping, considered the original form of camping and something many campers admire.
It is also excellent for barbecues, and you can enjoy a special time listening to the sound of the river.
Reservations are generally required, but you can buy or rent what you need, which makes it easy to visit light.

Kawai Campground is also located in Okutama, Tokyo, like Hikawa Campground, and shares many similarities such as rich nature, the ability to use open fires, and good facilities.
This campground has slightly better access, at about Approx. 2 hours from central Tokyo and a 7-minute walk from the nearest station.
Its appeal lies in its wide range of activities, including fishing, river play, kayaking, rafting, trout catching, and Baumkuchen making.
It is also close to Moegi no Yu, a hot spring facility with views of the Tama River headwaters, so be sure to visit that as well.

America Camp Village in Okutama, Tokyo, is a well-located facility about Approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from central Tokyo.
Also known as a filming location for the movie Ring, this campground is designed for both adults and children to play to the fullest.
Its full-scale athletic course integrated into nature is especially popular with families.
It is also well suited to barbecues, campfires, and sharing an extraordinary outdoor experience with larger groups.
Staying in tents is not allowed, and guests are required to use facilities such as well-equipped log houses and tree houses.

Maishima Barbecue Park is a facility about 20 minutes by car from central Osaka, and you can even park right beside your spot.
Its main appeal is being able to enjoy an open-air day camp on a vast 24,000-square-meter lawn.
Its barbecue offerings are especially impressive, with luxurious options such as Genghis Khan and assorted sausages that you do not often find elsewhere.
There are also attractions on-site, and the facilities are clean, so it is recommended for those who want to start with casual camping.
Overnight stays are not allowed except during events, so do not forget to check the official website before visiting.

Snow Peak Minoh Campfield, located about Approx. 40 minutes by car from central Osaka, is a lush facility along a dam lake.
It is operated by the outdoor brand Snow Peak.
The site makes use of the area’s original natural terrain and former terraced rice fields, allowing you to enjoy seasonal changes such as fireflies in summer and autumn leaves in fall.
Nearby attractions such as Minoh Waterfall, selected as one of Japan’s top 100 waterfalls, and the local specialty yuzu also add to the appeal with their sounds and scents.
You can choose from 90 tent sites divided into four areas, A through D, and in addition to rentals, gear can also be purchased at Minoh Shizenkan, Snow Peak’s directly operated store right nearby.

Kotakiji Campground in Kawachinagano City, Osaka, is a facility that can be reached within a few hours by car from elsewhere in the Kansai region as well.
Because it is located upstream from Takihata Dam, you can enjoy excellent forest bathing while surrounded by refreshing negative ions.
The nearby stream is also shallow and calm, making it a great place for playing in the water.
There is also a natural pool nearby, so both adults and children can enjoy themselves.
Reservations are required in advance for full gear rentals, but the campground itself cannot be reserved and is first come, first served, so be careful.

Ikoi no Mori Auto Campground is located in Maruseppu Forest Park in Engaru, near Kitami in northeastern Hokkaido.
The site offers a wide range of activities for children, including an insect ecology museum, go-karts, and river fishing.
Among them, the steam locomotive Amemiya 21, designated as a Hokkaido Heritage asset, is especially popular and full of impact.
Because it is publicly operated, its relatively reasonable pricing is also a plus.
The campground is open only from late April to mid-October and requires advance reservations.
Also note that rental gear is limited to only the bare essentials such as tents and sleeping bags.

Sapporo Jozankei Nature Village, located about Approx. 1 hour from central Sapporo in Hokkaido, is an extremely popular facility that visitors want to return to again and again.
With many wild animals living in the surrounding area, this site lets you feel the wonders of nature up close.
Another feature is its many hands-on programs designed to make camping even more enjoyable, such as forest craft workshops and stone-oven cooking experiences.
Its well-equipped facilities are also appealing, and you can choose from a variety of tent sites to suit your personal style of stay.
It is open year-round, but in winter you should be sure to prepare for the cold and snow.

Located in Furano, Hokkaido, about Approx. 2 hours from New Chitose Airport, Hoshi ni Te no Todoku Oka Campground is affectionately known among campers as Hoshioka.
It was created in Furano, a place famous for having some of the clearest starry skies anywhere, specifically so guests could enjoy those beautiful night skies.
Surrounded by grand nature and crisp air, with lighting kept to a minimum, the stars you see here feel like a natural planetarium.
The sight of stardust shimmering brightly is something you will likely never forget.
With its spacious grounds and good facilities, you can camp here comfortably without inconvenience.