A beginner’s guide to camping in Japan

If your intended campsite requires a decent hike, you'll need to think about the amount of supplies and gear you'll be willing to carry. | DREW DAMRON

Nov 14, 2026

Capsule hotels, themed love hotels, traditional ryokan inns and more — Japan has no shortage of specialized accommodations depending on your needs. But where do you go when you want to literally get away from it all?

Japan’s camping scene has the answer: Wherever you want.

Thanks to a majority of the country being covered by forested mountains, both official and unofficial campgrounds abound in Japan. And with the weather across many regions currently in a sweet spot of autumn temperatures, now is a good time to pack up some necessities and pitch a tent for a night in Japan’s great outdoors.

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