Five of the best…

1. Kawayu, Wakayama

Nestled in the heart of Wakayama prefecture, Kawayu offers great camping from spring through to fall. Cool off in the crystal clear waters after a nice day-long hike on the surrounding World Heritage sanctioned Kumano Kodo trail, or soak your tired legs by digging your own personal onsen in the very same river! The combination makes this camp site a good choice in warm or cool weather.
tb-kumano.jp/en/lodging/campgrounds-bungalows/

2. Tango Peninsula, Kyoto

For a night under the stars by the Japan Sea, head three hours north of Kyoto to the Tango Peninsula (or Tango Hanto). Stay at a 100-year-old farmhouse overlooking Japanese rice paddies. Head down to Kotobikki-hama and watch the sunset from a natural onsen right on the beach!
twototangohome.com/tango-hanto/index.html

3. Amanohashidate, Tango Peninsula, Kyoto

If you’ve got all your own equipment, why not check out the Amanohashidate campground, a seven-minute walk to one of the “Three Views of Japan” Nihon Sankei: the pine tree-clad sandbar Amanohashidate (“the ladder to the heavens”). It’s located in Miyazu Bay in northern Kyoto Prefecture.
seasidekyoto.blogspot.jp/2013/03/camping-site-7minswalk-from.html

4. Yubara Onsen, Okayama

Maybe you’re up for a road trip and some extra company. If so, you could join the onsen camp to Yubara Onsen located in the mountains of Okayama. Enjoy a choice of three free, 24-hour unisex natural hot springs. Bijin-no-yu (for skincare), Kodakara-no-yu (for fertility) and Choju-no-yu (for a long life).
kigouya.com/camps/yubara_onsen_(jun_oct).html

5. Makino Sunny Beach, Lake Biwa, Shiga

For a spot of swimming, fishing, or even tennis, head to Chinai-hama campground at Makino Sunny Beach. A 15-min walk from Makino Station on the Kosei Line, you can rent a tent here for ¥2,000, soak up the green grass and blue sky, and enjoy the largest lake in Japan.
takashima-kanko.jp/english/area/makino.html

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More information about camping in Japan:

• NCAJ (National Camping Association of Japan camping.or.jp/english/
• JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization): jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-804.pdf
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