Camping

Free Campsites In Japan

日本の無料キャンプ場

Map of Free Campsites in Japan 2024

Free Campsites Wildcamping Under ￥1000 🔴 Over ￥1000 (1 person + tent)

How To Camp For Free In Japan

Unlike most countries, Japan is full of campsites that are fee free, generally run by the local councils or businesses. This means mowed grass, free toilets and a groundskeeper who comes by once or twice a day. Despite not costing anything, the free campsites in Japan are not the same as wildcamping, as users have permission to camp there.

When choosing a site there are a few of things to keep in mind:

A lot of the sites request or require reservation.
They all have toilets unless stated otherwise.
Most campsites in Japan don’t have showers. Including the paid ones.
You will most likely need to take your trash with you.
There will be running water, but it will not be considered drinkable.
Most sites have season they are open.
Fires are usually only permitted in fire pits.
Be aware of the local wildlife. Japan has bear deaths every year.

I’ve generally found that nothing is done to prevent people from camping out of season, it is mainly that water facilities are turned off to prevent freezing over winter. With just one or two people and a bike, even without reservation you may not be turned away.

Wildcamping in Japan

Wildcamping, which can sometimes be called stealth, free or urban camping, is a bit of a grey area in Japan, and is often prohibited. While I have included some sites in my map, they are mainly places that were campsites in the past that it’s now unclear, or places recommended by others. In using them there is a chance of having few facilities or being moved on.

The choice to wildcamp in Japan also a bit of a grey moral area in my opinion. Japan has a dense population and you need to be pretty remote to be somewhere you don’t see people for more than a couple of hours, except in the middle of the night. People are unlikely to cause a fuss for you, but they may be concerned about what is going on.

Saving money on your personal trip shouldn’t be at the cost of others, especially if they can’t communicate their discomfort to you. Sometimes days go unexpectedly, and I have definitely found myself in that position a couple of times, but wildcamping in inappropriate places like mid-city parks should not be option number one.

Take care and happy adventuring.