Best Camping Spots
Lakes, forests, and volcanic highlands—set your tent where sunrise paints Fuji, where caldera waters glow blue, and stars spill across silent skies.
Camping Basics
What to expect—and how to pick the right site for your style.
What is Camping in Japan?
A mix of serviced auto-campgrounds, lakefront tent sites, and alpine backcountry zones. Expect clean facilities, reserved plots, and quiet hours.
When to Go
Prime season is April–November nationwide; Hokkaidō runs June–September. Winter camping is growing, but requires proper gear and experience.
Campground Types
Auto-camps (drive-in), walk-in lakeside/riverbank sites, and mountain tent pads near huts. Many offer fire pits, rental gear, and coin showers.
How a Stay Flows
Check-in (13:00–15:00) → set up → dinner & fire time → quiet hours (21:00–22:00) → lights out → morning pack-down and check-out (10:00–11:00).
Must-See Campgrounds
A short list to anchor your route (availability varies by season).
Fumotoppara Campground
Mt. Fuji ViewVast, open meadow with unobstructed Fuji vistas. Iconic sunrise shots; winds can pick up—stake well.
Lake Shikotsu Lakeside
Crystal LakeUltra-clear caldera lake and forested shores. Cool evenings even midsummer; great for paddle boards.
Oze National Park (Tent Sites)
Alpine WetlandsBoardwalk marshlands with mountain backdrops; tent pads near mountain huts. Pack-in/pack-out ethics essential.
Lake Motosu & Saiko Belt
Lakes & FujiA cluster of campgrounds: lakeside glassy mornings, canoe rentals, and stellar Milky Way on clear nights.
Booking, Gear & Rules
Lock in sites, pack right, and camp courteously.
Reservations & Walk-ins
Popular spots (Fuji Five Lakes, Hokkaidō summers) need online reservations weeks ahead. Shoulder seasons often allow same-day walk-ins.
Essential Gear
3-season tent, 10–15°C comfort-rated sleeping bag (lower for shoulder seasons), sleeping pad, stakes/guylines, headlamp, and water carry.
Etiquette & Rules
Quiet hours after 21:00, no wild camping outside designated zones, fires only in permitted pits, separate and pack out trash if facilities are limited.
Photo Tips
Capture golden hours, quiet nights, and tent-lit scenes.
Framing the Landscape
Use the tent as foreground against peaks or lakes. Early blue hour gives balanced sky and lit tent shots.
Simple Night Workflow
Tripod, manual focus to infinity, ISO 800–1600, f/2–f/2.8, 10–20s for stars. Mind campground quiet hours and neighbors’ privacy.
Weather Flex
Carry microfiber towels and drybags. After rain, shoot reflections and low cloud hugging ridgelines.
Food & Essentials
Cook simple, pack light, and leave no trace.
Easy Cook Ideas
Yakiniku on a grill plate, curry rice, instant ramen with veggies, foil-baked fish. Many sites sell firewood and basic groceries.
Pack Smart
Compact stove, windscreen, water (or filter), cooler for perishables, and a small trash bag—leave no trace.
With Kids
Choose drive-in sites near facilities. Bring warm layers, headlamps, marshmallows, and a simple scavenger hunt card.
Season & Weather
Mountain nights can be chilly even in August—plan layers.
Sun & Heat
Summer days run hot, but nights can cool in the mountains. Shade tarp and breathable layers help a lot.
Wind & Rain
Stake and guy-line early; use low fly profiles. Always pack a light rain shell and footprint/groundsheet.
Showers & Storms
Many sites proceed in light rain; thunderstorms mean shelter and pausing fires. Check site notices on arrival.
Getting There & Flow
Public transport works—just mind last buses and checkouts.
Rail + Walk/Taxi
Many lakeside camps are a short taxi/bus from stations. Confirm last bus times; some sites offer gear rental to travel light.
Highway Buses
Seasonal buses serve Fuji Five Lakes and national parks. IC cards and small change speed boarding after hikes.
Exit Strategy
Pack most gear before breakfast; aim to depart just before the late-morning rush at checkout.
Keep voices low after 21:00, preserve dark skies, respect plot boundaries, and leave your site cleaner than you found it.
Camping Vocab
Auto-camp (オートキャンプ)
Drive-in campsite with plots and parking by your tent.
Free site (フリーサイト)
Unmarked open area—first-come, first-served within rules.
Tent pad (区画サイト)
Numbered/gravel pads with specific dimensions and boundaries.
Campfire (焚き火 / たきび)
Allowed only where posted; use a fire pit and spark control.
Garbage sorting (ごみ分別)
Separate burnable/cans/bottles; some sites require you to take trash home.