Japan Camping Guide: Camping in Kansai

Outdoor Japan

5 years ago

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

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

Shima Autocamp

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