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Be a Camp Pro in Japan. Know Where To Take The Fam.

By on August 12, 2019

The first experience can be tough, so take things slow. Get the lifestyle and the outdoor spirit without the headaches of bugs and dirty toilets. If you are new to the outdoor scene, have no camping equipment and are skeptical of the whole idea; family amusement parks are the best way to start the Soft Camping adventure.

Mother Farm

NATURE CAMPING
For those with very young ones Motherfarm is a great place to see farm animals in their natural surroundings. Rustic attractions like pig racing, horse riding, blueberry picking and everyone’s favorite, milking the cow. Tractors pull you and the pushchair in neat carriages around the huge farm area. Dogs are welcome and there are Genghis Khan BBQ kits for the day campers. Motherfarm is set in the mountains and you look down on a beautiful landscape. After the sheep shearing show, and getting truly lost in the giant wooden maze you may not feel like driving home. No worries! You can stay down on the farm. A variety of wooden chalets are available and nestled amongst the trees. Some are a little rickety but they are clean and make a great first experience for junior campers.

HASSLE-FREE CAMPING
The Sagamiko Resort in Kanagawa is the next step. Hassle-free camping just 45 mins from Shinjuku in Tokyo, this park has got all you need to make the little ones ‘camping devotees’ for life or at the very least until they hit their teens. Mini golf, a dog run, go-karts, ferris wheel, mountain bike riding and a big swimming pool, phew! Three types of camping are available: the wooden chalet for the true beginner, not a bug in sight (almost), the pre-erected tent which stands on a small wooden platform for the day camper and thirdly for those hardened campers, an area for those with their own nylon fortress. Everything is available for rent, from the tent down to the BBQ set. This is camping for dummies. Don’t expect wi-fi but there is enough to keep everyone amused and eager to return.

Fujigoko

LAKESIDE CAMPING
Now that you have a taste of the outdoors there will be no stopping you. Try the campsites run by Pica Resorts around the Fujigoko (5 lakes) area. The five lakes are a great area to camp, close to Tokyo with a huge number of activities in the area. Pica offers modern campsites with excellent facilities for the new ‘soft’ campers. They offer a variety of chalets, permanent tents, and pitches. Equipment is available for rent, various BBQ sets with all the ingredients and there are even cafes on site for those who aren’t enamored by the whole fire lighting experience. The Yamanakako site is the closest, Lake Kawaguchiko can be crowded, the Saiko lakeside camp may be quieter but of course all are busy in the camping season. Beautiful surroundings, rental hammocks, this is the good life!

MUJI CAMP
The people at Muji, the home of the co-ordinating lifestyle, have taken their concept one step further and produced Muji outdoors which offers the natural camping experience for families. Three beautiful sites have been prepared. Each site offers nature and very little else. There are no bungee jumps here! Following Muji’s minimalist philosophy; nature is primary, facilities are secondary. Just join the ‘Muji outdoor‘ club for a small fee (pick up a leaflet in stores) then make a reservation, head for the hills and find a peace of paradise. Activities ranging from yoga, mountain bike riding, fishing, sport kiting and kayaking are available (varies from site to site). Sites are exquisitely positioned in the countryside of Gifu, Gunma and Nigata and have club houses selling Muji goods to enhance your outdoor life.

CAMP JO PRO
You are now ready to explore the thousands of camp jos (campsites) around Japan. Once you leave the safety net of Tokyo and Yokohama, few campsites offer English assistance and fears of a ‘National Lampoon vacation’ can quickly become a reality. Camping offers unforgettable family experiences, both good and bad. Remember, there are bugs, outdoor toilets and more bugs. The clock is ticking, anti-camping feeling from the kids slips in around the mid-teens and then you are on your own. So get out there while you can and start them early. Happy soft camping!

CAMPING INFO
Stores you need to visit for taking the high road!

1. SPORTS AUTHORITY
Direct from the US, their stores stock everything the would-be camper could possibly want from Everest ready tents to Day camping beer coolers. Shop o-line at extremely competitive prices.
www.sportsauthority.co.jp

2. DON QUIJOTE
In between the non-essential radio-controlled talking dogs and the generic brand replicas you’ll find a surprising amount of reasonably priced outdoor gear that will stand a few ‘soft’ outings.
www.donki.com

3. DAISO
Great for those extra floor mats, butterfly nets and water pistols.
www.daiso-sangyo.co.jp/

RESOURCES
National Camping Association of Japan
Japan Auto Camping Federation
www.camping.or.jp/eng

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