Popular January Campervan Destinations in Japan
Japan is an beautiful country that can be visited all year, but traveling to Japan by campervan during the winter is an unforgettable experience.
By visiting Japan in January, you may take advantage of cultural events and activities that are only available during the winter months. Many of these destinations are difficult to reach by train, so hiring an RV will be more convenient. JAPAN ROAD TRIP can provide a camper that meets your destination and demands.
You can also choose where to rent a campervan, motorhome or RV based on how you begin your trip.
*Click here to see our rental location list*
In this blog, we feature popular destinations that you might enjoy traveling to in a motorhome, campervan, or RV.
VISIT THE MEIJI JINGU AT YOYOGI BY CAMPERVAN
The New Year is the great time to celebrate. In Japan, there are also customs and traditions with bringing the New year. And “Hatsumode” is one of tradition New Year customs. “Hatsumode” means first shrine visit of the year. Many people go to visit a shrine on January 1 to January 3 in order to pay their respects and also to wish for a happy and healthy year. One of the most popular shrine that are visited every year is Meiji Jingu.
Meiji Jingu is one of Japan’s Shinto shrines, with 70 hectares of woodland area in the heart of the megacity Tokyo.
When you enter this district, you will forget you are in the rush and bustle of the city and will be transported to a Japanese traditional scenario surrounded by nature.
You can also enjoy “Hukubukuro” in new Year. “Hukubukuro” are essentially surprise bags that many retailers sell at different price points, that people buy without knowing what’s inside. Usually the collective retail value of the items inside are worth more than what the bag was bought for, but part of the risk is not knowing what’s inside. These bags normally sell out quickly because there are long lines of people eager to buy one, and it is a common New Year’s custom to test your luck for the coming year.
For more information visit there website:
https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/en/
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VISIT THE KITAIN TEMPLE DARUMA FESTIVAL AT SAITAMA BY CAMPERVAN
The history of Kitain Temple is considered to have begun in 830, when the monk Ennin constructed Muryojuji Temple on Emperor Junnan’s orders. Muryoju is another name for the Amitabha Buddha (Buddha of endless and immeasurable life), the main image of the Kitain Temple.
Daruma Festival is one of the most famous festivals hosted at Kitain Temple. Every year, the Festival is held on January 3. The celebration honors Jie Daich and is held at the Temple. Daruma Dolls always stand up after falling down. Daruma Dolls regarded these features as a lucky charm, meaning “Don’t Give Up.” Decide on your wish and paint the left eye first, then keep the Daruma Dolls on display. Once your request has been granted, paint the right eye.
There are various gardens inside and outside the Temple. Many flowers blossom with the seasons and can be enjoyed. Mostly, cheerful blooms.
For more information visit there website:
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VISIT THE TOKYO AUTO SALON AT CHIBA BY CAMPERVAN
Tokyo Auto Salon 2025 will be held on January 10 until January 12.Tokyo Auto Salon was founded in 1983 by the first editor-in-chief of tuning automobile magazine “OPTION” as the “Tokyo Exciting Car Show” to promote custom car culture around the world.
The name was changed to “Tokyo Auto Salon” after the fifth event in 1987, and the venue has expanded year after year, moving from the Tokyo International Exhibition Center in Harumi to Tokyo Big Sight in 1997 and Makuhari Messe in 1999. The event takes place throughout Makuhari Messe, including the international exposition hall, event hall, and outdoor exhibition hall. The popularity of custom automobiles elsewhere, particularly in Asian countries, has led to an increase in the number of visitors from other countries in recent years. The first event drew over 100,000 visitors over three days, but by 2020, it had grown to attract more than 300,000 auto fans and was well regarded as a “annual custom car festival.”
You will be able to purchase event tickets on their website, but they are not yet available. So check their website frequently for further information.
For more information visit there website:
https://www.tokyoautosalon.jp/2025/
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VISIT THE GRAND SUMO TOURNAMENT AT RYOGOKU BY CAMPERVAN
Have you ever seen the ”Sumo” in real life? Sumo in Japan is very popular watching it one is a recommendation. One of the biggest tournament is held at January 12 until January 26.
“Honbasho“, or Grand Sumo Tournament in English, is an official professional sumo event. Only Honbasho outcomes determine promotion and relegation for Rikishi (sumo wrestlers) in the Banzuke ranking. The number and length of Honbasho held each year have fluctuated; since 1958, 6 tournaments have been contested annually over 15 consecutive days in four sites. Since 1926, the Japan Sumo Association has organized Honbasho following the unification of the Tokyo and Osaka sumo associations. You can buy the ticket in there website in advance.
There is also a Sumo Museum that you may visit before the tournament for free. If you plan to visit the museum for a group tour, please notify the museum first because space is limited.
For more information visit there website:
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VISIT THE ONI HASHIRI AT NARA BY CAMPERVAN
Every year on January 14, the Oni-Hashiri fire festival, a 500-year-old tradition, takes place at the Dada Hall of Nenbutsu Temple in Otsu. A father, mother, and kid demon stride into the hall, waving blazing torches to fend off misfortune from the residents. Even in other areas, demons rarely bring good fortune, thus many worshippers attend the event, even in the freezing cold.
The city received its first designation as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1995. At 9 p.m. on January 14th, the Oni-Hashiri monks reach the middle of the temple grounds, which are packed with devotees, with little welcoming torches at the front.
You can watch the festival for free and there are also other sight-seeing places that you can also visit around the venue.
For more information visit there website:
https://www.gojo.ne.jp/g-kanko/leisure/index.html
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VISIT THE NOZAWA ONSEN FIRE FESTIVAL AT NAGANO BY CAMPERVAN
The Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival will be held on January 15. It is celebrated on the same day each year.
“Dosojin“, also known as “Dorokujin,” “Sainokami,” or “Saenokami,” is a deity who is claimed to keep disasters at distant and is carved into stone sculptures and enshrined at village borders and crossroads. The Dosojin Festival is an old ceremony held in Nozawa Onsen on the first day of the New Year, where New Year decorations and New Year-themed decorations are burned. It is affectionately known throughout the country as “Dondo Yaki.”
You can attend the festival for free. After the festival, you can relax at the nearby onsen. Or you can also camp in parking lots around the area.
For more information visit there website:
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VISIT THE MT. WAKAKUSA YAMAYAKI AT NARA BY CAMPERVAN
Mt. Wakakusa Yamayaki will be held on January 25. Uguisuzuka Kofun, a massive tomb with a keyhole design, which is sits atop Mt. Wakakusa.
Long ago, a ghost would emerge from this tomb and scare people, but if the mountain burned down, the spirits would no longer appear. Furthermore, if the mountain was not burned by January of the next year, something terrible would occur. People passing by the mountain set fire to it due to a long-standing superstition. This resulted in repeated
A large fireworks display will occur soon before the Wakakusa Yamayaki are lit. The fireworks display will feature hundreds of shots, including the prefecture’s unique 100cm-long fireworks.
For more information visit there website:
https://www3.pref.nara.jp/yamayaki/1.htm
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VISIT HOKKAIDO TO EXPERIENCE SPECTACULAR AND WILD LIFE TOUR BY CAMPERVAN
Many activities are unique to Hokkaido in the winter. Aside from winter sports, there are tours that allow you to see winter wildlife while roaming around the mountains. There are some travel company that offers this kind of tour.
Shiretoko National Park, located on the Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido, is a famous tourist destination and one of Japan’s most beautiful national parks. Wildlife on the peninsula includes brown bears, deer, and foxes. You can enjoy this tour from December until January the tour starts from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Do not feed them if they appear weak and hungry. Additionally, approaching a wild animal is perilous. They might have some form of diseases. So, please keep in mind when you join this kind or tour to do not feed the wild animals in order to prevent an unfortunate incident and the death of a wild animal.
For more information visit there website:
https://shinrashiretoko.wixsite.com/shinra
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VISIT THE LAKE KAWAGUCHI WINTER FESTIVAL AT YAMANASHI BY CAMPERVAN
Hot springs began to flow on the north side of Lake Kawaguchi in 1992, locals have started firing off fireworks to celebrate the winter season. Originally, this location hosted a summer fireworks festival called the Lake Kawaguchi Festival, which has been staged over 100 times since 1917. When the air is clear, the fireworks, which are fired off against the snow-covered Mt. Fuji, are particularly popular.
The recommended viewing location is the main venue where the headquarters is located. The viewing area is close to the parking lot, and you can see the fireworks from two locations. Also, on days when the weather is good and there is a full moon, you can see Mt. Fuji even at night, and many amateur photographers gather here.
Since there are many hot springs nearby you can also enjoy going there in cold weather.
The event will be held 12 times on Saturdays and Sundays from January 18th to February 23rd.The launch will be from 8:00 pm to 8:20 pm.
For more information visit there website:
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VISIT THE YUNISHIGAWA KAMAKURA FESTIVAL AT TOCHIGI BY CAMPERVAN
The main venue is Heike no Sato, a tourism facility that transmits the romance of the Heike era in Yunishigawa Onsen. The event can be experienced throughout Yunishigawa Onsen, centered on the mini-kamakura (snow huts) on the Sawaguchi Riverbed, which was registered as a Japan Night View Heritage site in 2009.
The main venue, Heike no Sato, is bordered with large kamakura, and visitors can tour the inside and go sledding in the snow play area. At night, candles are lit in the small kamakura to warmly illuminate the village.
You can enjoy this event from January 26 until February 25.
For more information visit there website:
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Summery
Please be aware that some of the events listed on this blog may be subject to last-minute cancellations, schedule changes, or adjustments to admittance restrictions. Visit the official websites prior to attending the event.
Many events in January include good luck and tips on how to enjoy the snowy beauty throughout the year. There are more popular sites to visit in January, so schedule your vacation and rent an RV with JAPAN ROAD TRIP, and we will take you through a truly unforgettable experience.
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