Practical Guide to Camping in Japan

motorcycle camping on a beach in japan

Camping in Japan is a fantastic way to save money while exploring the countryside. After months of traveling and camping with our motorcycles, we compiled all you need to know about camping in Japan in this guide to help you plan your own adventure.

Key Takeaways

How to Find Free & Cheap Campsites?

Main Takeaway

Search  キャンプ場 in Google Maps or use special websites and online maps.

While Japan has plenty of campsites, finding affordable or free ones can be a bit of a challenge. Some places charge as much as a decent hotel, especially near big cities or tourist hotspots.

After months of exploring, we’ve picked up a few tricks for finding great spots without blowing the budget. Below, we’ll share the tools and methods we relied on to discover free and cheap campsites across Japan.

▶ Tools for Finding Campsites

  • Free Camping and Hot Springs Map shared in this Facebook Group
  • A useful map, although we found it to be slightly outdated. It doesn’t cover all the areas or cheap campsites.
  • Free and Cheap Campsites in Japan website
  • You can find a few hidden gems on here, but the website is not easy to navigate. Some information is outdated.
  • NapCamp
  • Japanese website with an online reservation system and an actual interactive map. Many campsites are overpriced but you can find some cheap ones as well.  It has a page dedicated to motorcycle camping.
  • Rakuten Travel Camp
  • Another Japanese website with an online reservation system. It doesn’t have a map, so you need to know the name of the area where you plan to camp.
  • Hinata App (in Japanese)
  • An app that often shows paid & free campsites, although it needs more content and updates to be truly useful.
  • Google Maps
  • While all of the above resources are great, none of them is complete, and switching between them quickly becomes quite tiresome. In the end, we started to rely heavily on Google Maps. More on that below.

▶ Using Google Maps

Google Maps became our default search tool for campsites in Japan. You will get the most results by searching in Japanese with words like キャンプ場 or 野営場. Zoom In on a particular area to get even more results. Typing “camping” or “campground” in English works too, but we found it shows fewer options. 

screenshot of google maps search for campsites in japan

Now that you’re presented with the results, you need to figure out which campgrounds are actually affordable. Our strategy is to read the latest reviews and check the campsite’s webpage to learn about the prices, reservations, and other conditions. 

You can easily read Japanese websites by simply  Google Translating the pages in your browser. Just keep in mind that the translation is not always perfect and can lead to some confusion, especially around the particularities of Japanese camping culture (more about that here).

Is Wild Camping Allowed?

Main Takeaway

Wild camping in Japan falls into a gray area, and it's recommended to stick to designated camping spots.

In Japan, wild camping isn’t explicitly illegal, but it falls into a gray area. People do it, but usually in remote spots like old forest roads, mountain trails, or with permission from landowners.

Finding a well-hidden spot can be tough because of dense vegetation, steep mountains, and the high level of urbanization in the lowlands. Wild camping might be easier for solo travelers or cyclists, but with two motorbikes and a tent, we found it pretty challenging. There’s a lot of advice online suggesting you can camp in public parks or near rivers if you ‘set up late and leave early,’ but that’s not always true. Some parks and municipalities strictly forbid camping in public spaces. If camping is allowed, it’s usually mentioned on the park’s website, and you might need to call ahead to let them know you’re coming.

Foreigners often aren’t bothered when wild or urban camping in parks, but this is more out of politeness than permission. It’s important to be mindful and not abuse the so-called ‘gaijin card’—a term for the extra tolerance extended to foreigners who may not follow local rules and manners.

The bottom line is: stick to designated campgrounds whenever possible. Only wild camp if you have no other option, are in a remote area, or have permission from the landowner, and always do so respectfully.

free camping spot in japan

Camping at Roadside Stations

Main Takeaway

Pitching a tent at roadside stations isn't normally allowed, but some stations have a designated campground.

Japanese roadside stations (michi-no-eki) are excellent travel stops, offering everything you might need on the road—clean toilets, sometimes showers or hot springs, restaurants, tourist information, and shops selling local products. However, pitching a tent at these stations is usually not allowed unless you have permission. If granted, you’ll typically need to set up after closing hours and leave before opening. Some michi-no-eki have designated campsites, and you can find those here.

roadside station michi no eki sign in japan

What You Need to Know

A quick rundown of key things to keep in mind while camping in Japan to avoid unexpected surprises.

Main Takeaway

Bookings are often necessary, especially on weekends and holidays. Most designated campsites have toilets. Take your trash with you and always respect fire regulations. Be mindful of bears and snakes in certain areas. 

▶ Advance Bookings

Many free and cheap campsites in Japan are managed by local communities or municipalities, and they often require you to book or obtain camping permission in advance, even if the site is free of charge. You can usually do this by calling or visiting a local office, as smaller, rural campsites often lack online reservation systems. Checking recent Google reviews or the campsite’s website (with a little help from Google Translate) will let you know if bookings are needed.

Keep in mind that some campsites require you to reserve a certain number of days in advance—sometimes up to 10 days! This can be frustrating if, like us, you prefer to travel spontaneously.

camping permit in japan

▶ Weekends and Holidays

In Japan, campsites can get quite busy during weekends and public holidays. If you’re planning to camp around these times, especially near big cities or popular attractions, book well in advance. If reservations aren’t required, arriving early is key to securing a good spot.

Also, be aware that some campsites increase their rates on weekends and public holidays. You may notice different pricing depending on whether it’s the peak (オン), shoulder (ショールダー), or off (オフ) season.

 

▶ Check-in Hours

Paid campsites in Japan usually have a designated camp manager, but they may not be on-site 24/7. It’s important to arrive during their working hours, typically between 9 am and 5 pm. The camp manager will handle the check-in process, which usually involves collecting payment and explaining the camp rules.

▶ Facilities

Showers at free and cheap campsites in Japan are more of an exception than a rule. If a campsite does have one, it usually costs around 100-200 yen for a 5-10 minute shower, so make sure to have 100 yen coins handy. If there’s no shower available and you need to clean up, look for a local public bath (sento) or hot spring (onsen) nearby—they’re a great alternative.

While showers might be scarce, toilets are almost always provided and even stocked with toilet paper! Just be prepared for Japanese-style squatting toilets, so it’s worth getting those knees ready.

Most free and cheap campsites also offer running water (not always drinkable) and a roofed BBQ/cooking area.

▶ Trash Disposal

Rubbish disposal in Japan is very strict. Some campsites provide trash bags for a small fee, and you’re expected to follow the recycling rules. However, most of the time you’ll need to take your trash with you. So, where do you throw out those empty beer cans and sushi trays? Your best bet is the nearest convenience store or roadside station, which usually have public bins. Just avoid dumping large amounts at once and make sure to separate everything properly—plastic bottles, cans, glass, and burnable waste all go in separate bins.

▶ Campfires

In Japan, campfires directly on the ground or grass are often prohibited. If there’s no sign specifically allowing campfires or a designated fire pit, you should assume it’s not permitted.

However, portable fire pits (takibi-dai) are very popular and accepted at most campsites. We saw many Japanese riders using them.

Each campground may have its own specific fire rules, which you can usually find on the campsite’s website, or the camp manager will explain them to you during check-in. Additional fees are sometimes required.

▶ Wildlife

While camping in Japan is generally very safe, there are a few animals you need to be cautious about—bears being the most notable. 

In Hokkaido, the northernmost island, you’ll find the Ussuri bear, one of the largest brown bear species. These bears are no joke, so never ignore warning signs and always follow standard precautions, like keeping food away from your campsite and not cooking near your tent.

On the islands of Honshu and Shikoku, you may come across Japanese black bears. They’re smaller than Ussuri bears, but you should still be mindful of them when camping in mountain areas.

Apart from bears, you might also see signs about mamushiJapanese vipers. We’ve never encountered one, but they are venomous, and a bite requires hospital treatment.

Another creature to be aware of is the mukade, a giant centipede. While not deadly, their bit is quite painful, so keep your tent zipped and check your shoes!

bear warning signs in hokkaido

Camping Fees

Main Takeaway

The camping fee system varies from camp to camp, so check the campsite's website carefully. Be prepared for cash payments at smaller sites.

We usually managed to keep camping costs under 2,000 yen (around 14 USD) per night for two people and one tent.  The price often depends on the facilities, site type, location, and who owns the campsite. Popular spots may charge more during weekends, public holidays, and peak season.

Understanding camping price lists can be tricky. Each campsite in Japan has its own way of charging. Sometimes you pay only for the tent site, sometimes for the site plus a per-person fee, and in some cases, there’s also an additional entry or management fee. To avoid surprises, check the campground website thoroughly. Smaller campsites may only accept cash payments.

example of camping fees in japan

Camping Vocabulary

While you can Google Translate campground websites and campsite reviews to find out about the charges and booking requirements, we found that some of the Japanese terms don’t get translated correctly.

So here is a list of some Japanese words that you may find useful while going camping in Japan.

EnglishJapaneseJapanese pronanciationAdditional explanation
campgroundキャンプ場 / 野営場kyanpujō/yaeijōcampground
parking駐車場chūshajōParking fees are sometimes charged in addition to camping fees. Motorcycles are usually free though.
tentテントtento
tarpタープtāpuSome campgrouds would have separate/additional fees for putting up a tarp (to make a roof over your tent/camp).
siteサイトsaitoThis one is easy. It means simply ‘a camping site’. But there are many types of camping sites in Japan.
free siteフリーサトfurī saitoThis is a tricky one. In Japan, a ‘free site’ doesn’t mean that there is no charge for the camping spot, but rather that it is a type of site where you can put your tent anywhere within a designated area (non-numbered sites). These types of sites are usually the cheapest. Free of charge is 無料 (muryō).
tent siteテントサイトtento saitoThis is pretty self-explanatory. It’s a site where you can pitch your tent, but you may not be allowed to park your vehicle next to it.
auto siteオートサイトōto saitoA designated & delimited camping space, where you can park your vehicle right next to the site. Sometimes it’s made with car or van camping in mind, so there may not be grass to pitch a tent. In fancier campsites, they can also have individual water and electricity supply.
section site区画サイトkukaku saitoA designated & delimited camping space. Depending on the campground it may be possible to park your vehicle next to the site.
dog-free siteドッグフリーサイトdoggu furī saitoContrary to what you may think, this is a type of camping site where you can bring your dog or other animal and let it off the leash. These sites are usually fenced, so that animals don’t bother other campers.
rental gearレンタル用品rentaru yōhinIn Japan, many campsites offer gear rentals, so that people don’t have to buy their own if they camp only a few times per year.
rental tent貸しテントkashi tentoThis is usually listed on the camping price list as fees may vary depending on whether you bring your own tent or if you're borrowing one.
bring-your-own tent持ち込みテントmochi komi tentoThis is usually listed on the camping price list as fees may vary depending on whether you bring your own tent or if you're borrowing one.
day camping日帰り / デイキャンプhi gaeri / deikyanpuMany campsites have this option, which allows you to “camp” or rather have a picnic during the day. It is usually half-price compared to an overnight stay and requires you to leave the campsite before 5 pm.
overnight stay宿泊shuku hakuThese signs are used to indicate an overnight stay as opposed to day camping.
number of nightshakuJapanese language is a bit particular when it comes to counting stuff. Depending on what you’re counting, the counting word used is different. We won’t be getting into the details here, but it you see this sign 泊 (haku) it refers to the number of nights you’re staying at a campground or a hotel.
reception受付uketsukeReception where you need to do your check-in.
management office管理事務室kanri jimushitsuReception is also sometimes called 'management office' at campsites.
reception, front deskフロントfurontoIn hotels reception is usually called 'furonto'.
reservation予約yoyaku
reservation required要予約yō yoyaku
no reservation予約なしyoyaku nashi
adult大人otonaOn price lists the cost per adult will be usually indicated like this: 大人600円, so 600 yen per adult. Note that some places will sometimes consider highschoolers adults in their pricings.
child子供kodomoOn price lists the cost per child will be usually indicated like this: 子供300円, so 300 yen per child.
up to X number of peopleX名までX mei madeWhen a campsite charges only for tent sites, and not per person, some sites may be limited to an X amount of people, and it will be usually indicated like this 5名まで ( up to 5 people).
free of charge無料muryo
paid (service)有料yūryō
entry fee入場料nyūjō-ryōSome campgrounds, especially those located in forests and parks, may charge an additional entry/admission fee.
including tax税込みzeikomiIn Japan the price tags will usually have an information next to them to indicated if the price includes tax or not.
excluding tax税別zeibetsuIn Japan the price tags will usually have an information next to them to indicated if the price includes tax or not.
fees料金ryō kin
facility usage fee施設使用料shisetsu shiyō-ryōThis can also be an additional fee in some campsites.
forbidden禁止kinshiYou will see this sign often, for example when its foribdden to park or enter somewhere.
bonfire stand焚き火台takibi daiSince fires dirctly on the ground are usually forbidden in Japan, you will have to use a special fire stand. Some campsites rent them for a small fee.

Table of Contents

Subscribe
Notify of

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Thank you so much for this useful post. All the advices are really precious! We will travel to Japan shortly, looking forward to experiencing camping there.

Read More about Motorcycle Travel in Japan

2
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
Scroll to Top