Enjoy Outing During the Corona Crisis! Campsites in Osaka Area

photo by Andrew Piazza

The corona virus, which started spreading the end of last year, is still rampant even it is already November. Japan didn’t experience a explosive spread of the virus, though, people who live in big cities had to refrain from going to other cities as the majority of infection cases concentrated in those big cities. But outdoor activities such as BBQ and camping are free of such concerns, as there is no crowd. In addition, if you go to a campsite within the same prefecture, you can go out without worrying even though you live in a big city.

Maishima BBQ Park (Konohana-ku)

Maishima BBQ Park is located within Maishima in Osaka Bay, which is very easy to access from the central Osaka. While many other campsites separate camping blocks and carpark, you can drive your car right next to your tent. In addition, there are under roof blocks for those who want to enjoy BBQ and tenting even when it is raining. BBQ tools, a table, chairs, charcoals and many other materials can be rented or purchased from a shop here.

Maishima BBQ Park
Address: 2-1-107 Hokuko Ryokuchi, Konohana-ku, Osaka
TEL: 06-6147-5858
Access: 5 minutes’ from Wangan Maishima Exit of Hanshin Expressway no.5
Pricing (1day): Basic rate 2000 yen (no roof), 4000 yen (under roof), plus 1000 yen per adult and 500 yen per child

Snow Peak Minoh (Minoh-shi)

Snow Peak Minoh is one of the five campsites across Japan that are directly run by Japanese top outdoor goods brand Snow Peak. The best feature of this campsite is that you can rent quality camping gear manufactured by Snow Peak. In addition, all Snow Peak campsites offer camping package including all necessary tools and goods for camping, called “Tebura de Camp”, and helpful advice from Snow Peak shop staff, so that even beginner campers can fully enjoy their first camping experience. “Tebura de Camp” is booking only, and available for experienced campers.

Snow Peak Minoh
Address: 727 Shimotodoromi, Minoh-shi, Osaka-fu
TEL: 072-732-2588
Pricing: Ordinary stay 5555 yen to 7407 yen (without tax), camping package 45000yen

Kotakiji Campsite (Kawachinagano-shi)

This campsite is well known for beautiful sceneries and fresh air and popular among people who love forest-bathing. A stream which is great for fishing and picnic runs besides the camp field. This campsite is open for daytime BBQ and offers BBQ package plans, therefore the majority visitors come for a one-day trip. Even though it is normally busy during the daytime, evenings are rather quiet here. The Buddhist temple Kotaki-ji and a mind-healing water fall “Kotaki (the waterfall of light)”, whom this campsite is named after, are located nearby. These are great for looking around.

Kotakiji Campsite
Address: 1588 Takihata, Kawachinagano-shi, Osaka-fu
TEL: 090-1443-2939
Access: 30 minutes from Mihara-kita IC of Hanwa Expressway
Pricing: Admission fee (cleaning contribution) 300 yen/person, parking 1000 yen/vehicle

RECAMP Rinku (Sen-nan-shi)

RECAMP Rinku is a stylish campsite within Sen-nan Rinku Park nearby Kansai Airport where you can enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful ocean view. The Ocean View Sites have two types of sections: the glamping sections with ready-to-stay lodges, and ordinary sections where you can set up your own tent. On the back of the Ocean View Site, there are section that you can drive your car in. This campsite is booking only, and all booking must be made via website. It takes only 50 minutes from Osaka city, therefore this place is best to visit on the weekend for chill-out.

RECAMP Rinku
Address: SENNAN LONG PARK, 3-201 Rinku Minamihama, Sennan-shi, Osaka-fu
Access: 5km towards Izumi-Sano from Izumi-Sano IC of Hanshin Expressway
Pricing: 5000 – 19500 yen/night (varies depending on plans)

Shizen-no-mori Family Campsite (Toyono-gun)

Surrounded by trees, you can enjoy camping right in the middle of beautiful nature. Each camping section is spacious and has enough room for a tent, table set, and car. Also, all sections have a fire place to make a fire to relax at the evening. Other than that, you can cook with a stone oven (booking required), grab river fish an enjoy many more outdoor activities. For a security reason, the gate is closed from 9pm to 7am.

Shizen-no-mori Family Campsite
Address: 411 Yamabe, Nose-cho, Toyono-gun, Osaka-fu
TEL: 072-734-0819
Access: 23km towards Nose-cho from Ikeda-kibe exit of Hanshin Expressway
Pricing (1 night): 1050 yen/adult, 630 yen/child plus 2630 yen up to 5 adults

Yankee Doodle went to town♪

From handy city center to outskirt where beautiful nature spreads, there are many campsites in Osaka. The majority of them were closed during the stay-home period, but they have re-opened now. The best thing about camping is enjoying activities such as BBQ and bush walking in the open air. There is no more summer heat in October and November, so why don’t you go out for camping on the sunny weekend?