It never crossed my mind to go camping overseas—until last year, when Hiroshi from Wanderout came camping in Vancouver. What stuck with me wasn’t just the experience—it was his approach. Instead of packing endlessly and filling the car to the brim, he embraced a pared-down, light-as-possible style of camping. I found it refreshing—and honestly, freeing.
Thanks to Hiroshi-san’s generosity, he later shared a list of beautiful campsites in Japan and even joined me for the first leg of the trip.
After picking up our compact rental car in Tokyo, we set out for our first stop: Hottarakashi Camping Ground. Without exaggeration, it might be the best campsite I’ve ever been to. Perched on a mountaintop, it offers a stunning view of Mt. Fuji, complete with a beautiful café and outdoor patio where the mountain feels close enough to touch. And the best part? An open-air onsen right on site. If you go, make sure to visit in the morning and have the classic TKG breakfast—raw egg mixed into steaming rice with soy sauce—at the restaurant just outside.
Meeting Hiroshi-san again at Hottarakashi, catching up above the clouds, was a moment I’ll remember. It felt like no time had passed since our last camp in Vancouver—only now, we were deep in the heart of Japan’s nature.
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Packing Checklist/Preparation Suggestion
- International Driver’s Permit (if you plan to drive)
- Tent
- Sleeping gear(sleeping bag, mat, pillow)
- Light cooking/eating gears (small burner, utensils, knife, cups)
- Compact Chairs
- Lights
- Optional firepit tools (gloves, lighter, fire starter)
- Small garbage bags
- Bug repellent
- Sunscreen
Tips
- Eating in Japan is incredibly convenient—great restaurants are everywhere. I only brought a small GigaPower stove, along with cups and basic utensils. For breakfast or snacks, convenience stores had everything I needed.
- At most campgrounds in Japan, you’re required to use a designated firepit if you plan to burn firewood. Chopped firewood bundles are usually available on-site, so there’s no need to bring an axe. Small kindling pieces are called takitsuke (焚き付け), while larger logs are generally just called firewood (薪, takigi).
- Be sure to pre-book campgrounds—most websites are in Japanese, but Google Translate makes the process fairly straightforward. Bring a translation app to help with signs or quick conversations.
- As always, keep things clean, use designated bins for garbage, and respect the quiet, shared nature of the campsites. Most campgrounds have separate bins for compost, firewood ash, and plastics—be sure to sort your waste accordingly.
