Japan Camping Guide: Camping in Tohoku

Outdoor Japan

4 years ago

Camping guide to the Tohoku Region (Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures).

Utarube Camp (Aomori)
This campsite is on the eastern end of Lake Towada on the Mikura Peninsula. Enjoy a front-row view of the Hakkoda Mountains. Oirase Gorge, with its many waterfalls, is also nearby.
Accommodation: Camping, Auto Camping, Cottages
English-Speaking Staff: No
Rental Equipment: No
BBQ Facilities: Yes
Access: Two hours by bus from Misawa Station or three hours by bus from Aomori Station to Kokumin Shukusha-mae Bus Stop.
Address: Kokuyuurin Utarube, Okuse, Towada-shi, Aomori-ken 〒018-5501
Tel: (0176) 75-2477

Tazawako Camp (Akita)
This campsite provides easy access to Tazawako, Japan’s deepest lake where you can enjoy water sports and even sunset kayaking. Other popular activities nearby include hiking, downriver canoeing, shower climbing and whitewater rafting.
Accommodation: Camping, Auto Camping, Bungalows
English-Speaking Staff: No
Rental Equipment: Tents, sleeping bags, lanterns, blankets, hammocks, chairs
BBQ Facilities: Yes
Access: 15 minutes by bus from Tazawako Station to Tazawako Rest House-mae Bus Stop.
Address:152 Tazawa Haruyama, Tazawako, Senboku-shi, Akita-ken 〒014-1204

Qkamura Haguro Camp

Qkamura Haguro Camp (Yamagata)
This comfortable campsite is part of Shonai Haguro Kyukamura Resort in Dewa Sanzan, the sacred mountains of yamabushido (mountain asceticism). Soak in the on-site hot spring after a day of hiking around Mt. Haguro or sightseeing the Shonai Region.
Accommodation: Camping, Auto Camping, Canvas Tents
English-Speaking Staff: No
Rental Equipment: Tents, sleeping bags, lanterns
BBQ Facilities: Yes. Local Shonai beef and food available for purchase as well.
Access: 50 minutes by bus from Tsuruoka Station to Haguro Kokumin Kyuka-mura.
Address: 8 Toge Hagurosan, Haguro-machi, Tsuruoka-shi, Yamagata-ken 〒997-0211

Nishihama Camp (Yamagata)
This seaside campsite sits at the mouth of Fukiura River. Apon Nishihama Hot Springs are a five-minute walk away.
Accommodation: Camping, Cottages
English-Speaking Staff: No
Rental Equipment: Tents, blankets, lanterns
BBQ Facilities: Yes
Access: 15 minutes by car from Sakata Minato IC or a ten-minute walk from Fukiura Station or Yuza Station on the JR Uetsu Line.
Address: 2-62 Nishihama, Fukiura, Yuza-cho, Akumi-gun, Yamagata-ken 〒999-8521

Iwate Prefectural Forest Camp (Iwate)
This campsite in Iwate Prefectural Forest is a great place for educating children about nature. There are on-site nature educational programs and woodcraft workshops.
Accommodation: Camping
English-Speaking Staff: No
Rental Equipment: No
BBQ Facilities: No
Access: 12 kilometers from Matsuo Hachimantai IC on Route 45 towards Hachimantai Onsen.
Address: 590-5 Dai-ichi-wari, Matsuoyoriki, Hachimantai-shi, Iwate-ken 〒028-7302

Angel Forest Nasu Shirakawa (Fukushima)
This pet-friendly campsite is popular with dog lovers for its spacious outdoor and indoor dog park, forest walking trails and even an onsen dedicated to pets. All sites are connected to a power outlet. The shared outdoor kitchen has running hot water and laundry machines, and guests can use the natural hot springs for free. Popular activities here include fishing, canoeing and cycling (pets are welcome to join too).
Accommodation: Camping, Auto Camping, Glamping, Log Cabins, Cottages
English-Speaking Staff: No
Rental Equipment: Tents, sleeping bags, lanterns, blankets
BBQ Facilities: Yes. Food also available for purchase
Access: 30 minutes by car from Shirakawa IC on the Tohoku Expressway.
Address: 39 Takatoya, Hatori, Tenei-mura, Iwase-gun, Fukushima-ken 〒962-0623

Kotakamori Autocamp (Fukushima)
This popular auto camping site is next to Lake Sohara. Enjoy bass fishing on a boat or spend a day in a private floating dome built on the lake specifically for fishing.
Accommodation: Camping, Auto Camping, Bungalows
English-Speaking Staff: No
Rental Equipment: No
BBQ Facilities: Yes
Access: 40 minutes by bus from Inawashiro Station to Katakamori Camp-jo-mae Bus Stop.
Address: 1096 Soharayama, Hibara, Kitashiobara, Yama-gun, Fukushima-ken 〒969-2701

Kamiwarizaki Camp (Miyagi)
This seaside campsite sits on the tip of Cape Kamiwarizaki. Dine on fresh seafood and enjoy fishing or swimming. There is an on-site restaurant and day-trip options are available as well.
Accommodation: Camping, Auto Camping, Cabins
English-Speaking Staff: No
Rental Equipment: Tents, sleeping bags, lanterns, blankets
BBQ Facilities: Yes. Food also available for purchase.
Access: 30 minutes by bus from Shizugawa Station to Kamiwarizaki-iriguchi Bus Stop.
Address: 81-23 Tokurajihama, Minamisanriku-cho, Motoyoshi-gun, Miyagi-ken 〒986-0781