Free Your Mind in Nature! Campsites in Tokyo Area

photo by Wayne

In Japan, there was a mood of voluntary restraint for a while due to the corona crisis. But now, the alert level has been lowered and the government is encouraging people to go out in order to revitalize the economy. However, as a large number of corona virus infection cases is concentrated in big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, there is a growing body of opinion that people from such big cities should refrain from traveling to other cities. But of course, people cannot shut themselves away forever just because they live in a big city. It’s autumn now, so if you want to go out and enjoy freedom, why don’t you try some outdoor activities?

Wakasu Seaside Park (Koto-ku)

On the northwest side of Tokyo Bay, Wakasu Seaside Park is located in the bay area where Tokyo Big Sight and Kasai Seaside Park are. This place has good access from the central Tokyo, and is busy with campers not just weekends but even weekdays. There are 117 blocks for overnight camping, 5 communal kitchens to cook and wash dishes, 4 communal toilets and 2 paid showers, so that everyone including beginner campers can stay comfortably. All blocks are to be booked in prior, by phone only at the moment. A camping block is allocated at the time of booking, and visitors cannot chooset a specific block.

Wakasu Seaside Park
Address: 3-2-1 Wakasu, Koto-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-5569-6701
Access: Cross Wakasu bridge after getting off the Bayshore Route at Shinkiba exit
Pricing: Same day (adult 300yen/child 150yen), 1 night (adult 600yen/child 300yen: check out 10:00am), 2 nights (adult 900yen/child 450yen: check out 10:00am), etc.

Hikawa Campsite (Okutama)

Hikawa Campsite is located in Okutama, where incredibly beautiful nature spreads. There are ordinary camping blocks for tenting, as well as lodges and cabins. If you are staying over night in a tent, you need bring your own tent. Cooking utensils and BBQ tools are available to hire. Many camping sites forbid making an open fire, but not here. You can enjoy many activities such as playing at the nearby stream, canoeing, rafting, as well as bush walking and BBQ. Also, this place is the best spot for star gazing as there hardly are street lights around this site.

Hikawa Campsite
Address: 702 Hikawa, Okutama-cho, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo
TEL: 0428-83-2134
Access: Take Ken-Ō Expressway at Hachioji JCT of Chuo Expressway, then go into Ome-kaido Road via Nagata-bashi Dori
Pricing (tent site): 1000 yen per person per night (bring your own tent)

Jonanjima Seaside Park (Ota-ku)

This campsite is also located in the center of Tokyo, Ota-ku. It is on the north side of Haneda Airport, where you can see airplanes taking off and landing. There are 3 communal kitchens with tables and benches, a fire circle, and other facilities that is essential for camping. You can enjoy many activities such as board walking, and playing at the beach, and of course, BBQ which is must-do when camping. There also are auto-camping blocks that you are allowed to drive your vehicle in. Jonanjima Outdoor Center, which is located nearby, has rental BBQ set, rental tents, and full set of camping gear. Booking is required.

Jonanjima Seaside Park
Address:4-2-2 Jonanjima, Ota-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3799-6402
Access: Take Heiwajima Exit of Shuto Expressway Haneda Route
Pricing: Same day (adult 300yen/child 150yen), 1 night (adult 600yen/child 300yen: check out 10:00am), 2 nights (adult 900yen/child 450yen: check out 10:00am), etc.

Fukasawa Nature Village (Akiruno-shi)

Akiruno-shi of Tokyo has many camping sites with beautiful nature. In Fukasawa Nature Village, there are auto-camping sites that you can stay over night in a tent, lodges with various sizes from 5 persons to 23 persons, and log houses for 5 adults that you can enjoy glamping. Many unique activities are available here, such as BBQ, bread/pizza making with a stone oven, camp fire, and nagashi somen. Visitors must make a booking in prior.

Fukasawa Nature Village
Address: 198 Fukasawa, Akiruno-shi, Tokyo
TEL: 070-3985-4878
Access: 20 minutes’ drive from Akiruno IC of Ken-O Express Way
Pricing: 1400 yen per person per night (up to 4 adults in 1 tent), price for a lodge and log cabin varies depending on the size of accommodation. Parking: 1200 yen per vehicle.

Lodge Kanotoiwa (Nishitama-gun)

Lodge Kanotoiwa offers various accommodation such as large cabins for 10-18 adults, villas for small groups and camping sites for tenting, so that visitors can enjoy their stay in their own ways. Tenting area which is located at the one end of this camping site has very little lighting, therefore is ideal for star gazing. Other than starry night sky, you can enjoy playing at the stream, or even a camp fire if you book the entire tenting site. There are a variety of rental goods here, including BBQ tools, Dutch oven, cookware, beddings and tables.

Lodge Kanotoiwa
Address: 8034-2 Kanoto, Nishitamagun Hinoharamura, Tokyo
TEL: 042-598-1029
Access: 40 minutes from Hachioji IC 2nd exit of Chuo Express Way
Pricing: 4000 yen per site up to 5 adults

The other day, I met a bear♪

Many people probably have the impression that Tokyo is far from nature, but it is not true. Once you get out of the central Tokyo and head to the outskirts of the city, breathtakingly beautiful nature spreads there. Surprisingly, there are many campsites in across Tokyo. Recently, many campsites have been built within parks existing along Tokyo Bay where visitors from the central Tokyo can come easily. If you feel like going out, visit one of those campsites to refresh yourself when it is fine weather. Don’t forget book early if you want to spend weekend or public holiday at a campsite.