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    • Spring
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.

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        The Oni Trail: Hiking Coastal Kyoto

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    • Summer
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        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
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        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

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        The Sweet Secrets of Brewing Mead

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        The Knights in White Lycra

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        Sea to Table in Yamagata

        An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
    • Autumn
    • Winter
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        CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madarao

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        New Horizons in Shiretoko

        During another epic powder season, two seasoned winter sports enthusiasts traded their snowboard bags for camera bags and traveled to Eastern Hokkaido to explore the frozen landscape and broaden their winter horizons.
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        Heritage Hunting in Hokkaido

        Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido's popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.
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        Shizukuishi

        Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture, known for heavy snowfall, features Shizukuishi—a powder-rich resort area with views of Mt. Iwate. Snow enthusiasts seeking lesser-known gems can enjoy exceptional snow quality and uncrowded resorts, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Iwate Kogen Snow Park, offering affordability and traditional hospitality.
    • Near Tokyo
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        Getting Dirty in Japan

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    • Near Kyoto
    • All Regions
    • Article Map
    • Ocean and Beach
      • getting dirty in japan

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        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • River and Lake
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    • Mountain and Land
    • Sky
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        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Snow and Ice
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        Northern Shinshu’s Secret Stash

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    • Travel
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        New Horizons in Shiretoko

        During another epic powder season, two seasoned winter sports enthusiasts traded their snowboard bags for camera bags and traveled to Eastern Hokkaido to explore the frozen landscape and broaden their winter horizons.
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        Silent Resilience

        Curling athlete Sayuri Matsuhashi’s journey to the top of her sport is an inspiration to deaf athletes and women juggling their roles as mothers while also pursuing their professional dreams.
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        Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido's popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.
        shizukuishi skiing snowboarding outdoor japan

        Shizukuishi

        Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture, known for heavy snowfall, features Shizukuishi—a powder-rich resort area with views of Mt. Iwate. Snow enthusiasts seeking lesser-known gems can enjoy exceptional snow quality and uncrowded resorts, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Iwate Kogen Snow Park, offering affordability and traditional hospitality.
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        CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madarao

        Keith Stubbs, a veteran in the snowboard industry, transitioned from rider to coach and instructor trainer for Snowboard Instruction New Zealand. After coaching in various Japanese resorts, he has established a permanent base in Madarao, outlining his plans for the area and future snowboard endeavors.
        shiretoko hokkaido outdoor japan

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        sayuri matsuhashi double role curling athlete japan outdoor

        Silent Resilience

        Curling athlete Sayuri Matsuhashi’s journey to the top of her sport is an inspiration to deaf athletes and women juggling their roles as mothers while also pursuing their professional dreams.
        ainu tour daniel moore outdoor japan hokkaido

        Heritage Hunting in Hokkaido

        Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido's popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.
        shizukuishi skiing snowboarding outdoor japan

        Shizukuishi

        Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture, known for heavy snowfall, features Shizukuishi—a powder-rich resort area with views of Mt. Iwate. Snow enthusiasts seeking lesser-known gems can enjoy exceptional snow quality and uncrowded resorts, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Iwate Kogen Snow Park, offering affordability and traditional hospitality.
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Japan Camping Guide: Camping in Kansai

Camping in the Kansai Region (Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Shiga, Hyogo, Mie and Wakayama Prefectures)

GRAX Premium Camp Resort (Kyoto)
GRAX in Rurikei Onsen is Kyoto’s luxury campsite built at an altitude of 500 meters in Ruri Gorge. Enjoy natural hot springs, shop from the on-site vegetable market, and watch the illuminated Synesthasia Hills show. 
Accommodation: Glamping, Trailers, Bungalows
English-Speaking Staff: No
Rental Equipment: Fully equipped
BBQ Facilities: Yes. Food also available for purchase
Access: 60 minutes by car from Kyoto City via National Route 9 and the Kyoto Jukan Expressway.
Address: 1-14 Hirotani, Okawachi, Sonobe-cho, Nantan-shi, Kyoto-fu 〒622-0065 

Spring Hiyoshi Camp Field (Kyoto)
If you’re new to camping, Spring Hiyoshi Camp Field built near Hiyoshi Dam in Kyoto Tamba Kogen Quasi-National Park is a great spot. Soak in natural hot springs, go bass fishing, canoeing or stand-up paddling at the dam’s lake. 
Accommodation: Camping, Auto Camping
English-Speaking Staff: Yes
Rental Equipment: Tents, sleeping bags, blankets, tables, chairs.
BBQ Facilities: Yes. Local gibier meat and food available for purchase
Access: Five minutes by car (or a 25-minute walk) from JR Hiyoshi Station or a seven-minute drive from Sonobe IC on the Kyoto Transit Expressway.
Address: 8 Nakanomiya, Hiyoshi-cho, Nantan-shi, Kyoto-fu 〒629-0335

Shima Autocamp (Mie)
Shima Autocamp in Mie Prefecture is just minutes away from Azuri Beach. Spend a full day at the beach swimming, fishing and kayaking. 
Accommodation: Camping, Auto Camping, Cottages, Glamping
English-Speaking Staff: No
Rental Equipment: Tents, sleeping bags, blankets, tables, chairs.
BBQ Facilities: Yes. Local seafood and food available for purchase.
Access: 60 minutes by car from Ise Nishi IC. If you’re coming by public transportation, disembark at Kintetsu Ugata Station on the Kintetsu Line and take the Mie Kotsu bus to Free Azurihama Bus Stop. The campsite is a three-minute walk from the bus stop. 
Address: 2279 Koshika, Shima-cho, Shima-shi, Mie-ken 〒517-0704

Hygge Circles Ugakei (Mie)
This sustainable campsite is a collaboration between a Danish and Japanese design team and built entirely from renewable materials and repurposed building waste. It is set to open this autumn in Inabe, a two-hour train ride east of Kyoto. This region is prized for its waterfalls and forests. 
Accommodation: Glamping, Camping, Tents
English-Speaking Staff: Yes
Access: 50 minutes by car from Yokaichi IC on the Meishin Expressway.

Tomogashima Camp (Wakayama) – FREE
Tomogashima is a small group of islands off the coast of Wakayama. The main island of Okinoshima is home to an abandoned military fort giving the island a mysterious feel that is said to look like the setting of Studio Ghibli’s animated film, “Laputa.” Free campsites overlook the ocean. 
Accommodation: Camping
English-Speaking Staff: No
Rental Equipment: No
BBQ Facilities: No
Access: 45 minutes from Wakayama Station to Kada Station. Kada Port is a 15-minute walk from Kada Station. The ferry to Tomogashima Island takes 20 minutes (¥2,000 one way).
Address: Miyama, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama-ken 〒640-0102

Resort Oshima
Go diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking, whale watching, SUP with your pet, spelunking and exploring an uninhabited island at this seaside outdoor resort on Wakayama’s Oshima Island. You can also relax at the outdoor rotenburo bath overlooking the sea. 
Accommodation: Glamping, Camping, Cottages
English-Speaking Staff: No
Rental Equipment: Tents, tarp, lanterns, blankets, sleeping bags
BBQ Facilities: Yes. Food available for purchase. 
Access: 40 minutes by car from Susami Minami IC on National Road 42.
Address: 1035-6 Kashino, Kushimoto, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama-ken 〒649-3631

Kawayu Camp (Wakayama)
Kawayu Onsen is on the legendary Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. The town’s famous river bubbles up hot spring water if you dig into the river bed. Kawayu Camp (also known as Kodama no Sato) sits directly on the rivershore.
Accommodation: Camping
English-Speaking Staff: No
Rental Equipment: No
BBQ Facilities: Yes. Food available for purchase
Access: Two hours by car from Wakayama City to Kawayu Onsen via the Hanwa Expressway and National Road 311. 
Address: 1288 Hongucho Kawayu, Tanabe-shi, Wakayama-ken 〒647-1717
Tel: (0735) 42-1168

Grampus Inn Shirahama (Wakayama)
Relax at at the beach after exploring the Kumano Kodo Trail. Shirahama Beach is known for its white sand (imported from Australia). The nearby Shirahama Onsen is said to be one of the three oldest hot springs in Japan.
Accommodation: Camping, Auto Camping, Trailers, Lodges. 
English-Speaking Staff: No
Rental Equipment: Tents, blankets
BBQ Facilities: Yes. Food available for purchase
Access: Two hours by car from Osaka via the Hanwa Expressway and three hours by bus using the Meiko Bus from Osaka Namba OCAT to Senjoguchi Bus Stop. 
Address: 2953-3 Shirahama, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama-ken 〒649-2211

Yunohara Onsen Autocamp (Hyogo)
This spacious autocamp site is located near the entrance to Ase Valley, which boasts 48 waterfalls including Gendayu Falls. The campground has hot spring facilities (two outdoor and two indoor baths) and a small restaurant. 
Accommodation: Camping, Auto Camping, Cottages
English-Speaking Staff: No
Rental Equipment: Towels
BBQ Facilities: Yes
Access: 20 minutes by bus from Ebata Station to Kabata Bus Stop and a 25-minute walk from the bus stop to the campsite.
Address: 1510 Hajiri, Hidaka-cho, Toyooka-shi, Hyogo-ken 〒669-5359

HOKKAIDO | TOHOKU | CHUBU | KANTO | KANSAI | CHUGOKU | SHIKOKU | KYUSHU | OKINAWA | CAMPING CAR RENTALS | KIDS’ SUMMER CAMPS

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CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madara...

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