Camping in Japan is an amazing experience to take in the view of Mt. Fuji as it reveals its many facets throughout the day. It is also an original way to get to know the country and its people.
No other place in the world will you ever experience this kind of camping. You get settled at the base of Mt. Fuji. Para-gliders play and dance with the wind overhead as you sip your filtered brewed coffee in the afternoon. You watch Mt. Fuji by sunset with your cold Japanese beer until the starry sky takes over. You enjoy dinner together and sit by the fire surrounded by Japanese families that seriously took camping to a different level.
My husband and I are both fortunate that my sister and brother in-law live in Tokyo.
Camping has become one of their favorite leisure activity. They retreat to nature during weekends and economically split the van rental and camping expenses with their expat friends 50/50.
It was a hot August weekend and despite the threat of sand fly bites that they've had from their previous camping, my sister booked a weekend overnight stay at Fumotoppara Camp Site. It was also their first time to visit this particular area.
Tents? Check. Outdoor furniture? Check. Sleeping bags and pillows? Check. Food? Check. Beers? Check. We stuffed the car and left Tokyo early in the morning. The weekend drew a mild traffic at the speedway.
Fumotoppara Camping Ground
Address: 156 Fumoto, Fujinomiya-shi, Shizuoka-ken Tokyo
Timing: Opens at 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
It is 2 hours drive from Tokyo.
We drove past the security check at the gate after showing our reservation. We briefly paused near the entrance to buy firewood and continued to find a spot. Tents were already set up in many places.
The have limited campsite admissions, so make sure you have bookings in advance.
Once we found a good area, we pitched our tent.
The biggest advantage of camping in Fumotoppara was there were no sand flies. Most probably because it was nowhere near a lake nor any body of water. There was also this refreshing breeze. The temperature lowers even more as evening drew close. It was definitely a great escape from the heat in central Tokyo.
The wood-cladded building is the public toilet, shower and washing area. There are separate male and female restrooms. The central open area offers massive kitchen sinks for dish and pot washing. Located throughout the camp at every junction are water fountains where you can collect water that you can also use for drinking and cooking.
We went sight -seeing of the neighbors' tents. When I mentioned that the Japanese took camping to a different level, what I meant was - forget grilling and noodles. They had fondue sets and electric grill sets in the middle of their long table.
They had beautiful fairy lights draped around each tent!
We found families who have set up a 2 bedroom tent high enough where one doesn't need to squat and crawl to get in. It has a huge common living/dining area in the middle covered by a central canopy. They have modular kitchen counters complete with cookware and dining ware.
Only essentials can be found laying on the ground. Everything was hung or neatly placed and they have ingeniously thought of practical ways to make their camping stay so comfortable. Mouth watering scents filled the air as it grew darker.
For dinner, we had marinated pork chops, grilled vegetables and foiled potatoes.
I have visited many camp sites throughout the world but nothing beats the cleanliness of the toilets in Japan. I think you know what I am talking about. The floor is always clean and dry, you can literally sleep on it. Where else can you find a toilet with music that drowns out the noise of one throwing up in the middle of the night as he hugs the toilet after many bottles? Not to mention the many bidet controls in Japanese characters and endless toilet paper that you will miss once you leave the country.
There were no garbage bins but you will not find a single litter. Everyone keeps their trash and by the end of their camping trip, there is a segregated recycling station at the exit where everyone systematically disposes their waste.
Hence, the reasons why there's nowhere else in the world you can experience camping in this magnitude and style.