Top 5 places to visit when renting a campervan.
Renting a campervan allows you to see many different sites in Japan. Japan has numerous gorgeous areas that are still unknown. Read this blog and be the first to discover Japan’s unique beauty.
By renting a campervan, motorhome, or RV, your journey will be more relaxing and convenient. JAPAN ROAD TRIP has the most rental bases around Japan and can help you identify rental spots near your trip.
We offer multiple branches around Japan, so you can select where you want to rent your campervan.
*Click here to see our rental location list*
Here are the top 5 places to visit when renting a campervan
Road Trips On Remote Island
Sado Island is Japan’s largest island. It was a leading gold production site in the 16th century and is now seeking World Heritage status due to its rich gold and silver mining history.
Sado Island, located in Niigata Prefecture, northern Honshu, is the largest remote island in the Sea of Japan, covering 855 square kilometers. The island is home to over 50 mines, producing significant gold and silver for 400 years.
Sado is also an island with abundant food resources. In 2011, the entire island was recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) together with Noto peninsula. The island produces high-quality rice known as “Koshihikari”, Hige chicken, and Sado beef and has several sake breweries. Also the island is surrounded on all sides with ocean waters where cold and warm current cross, making it an ideal location for fishing, offering a wide variety of marine products such as yellowtail, squid, Pacific blue tuna, crab, and shrimp.
This island of gold, seeking to become a World Heritage site, is packed with charms that cannot be fully savored in a single visit.
Visit website for more information: https://www.visitsado.com/en/
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Cherry Blossom Viewing
Minami Ashigara, a mountainous city in western Kanagawa Prefecture, is primarily situated within Tanzawa-Oyama Quasi or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. As a town surrounded by nature and majestic mountains, it will be more convinient and enjoyable if you can drive to explore the area.
Minami Ashigara was ranked as the top cherry blossom destination for tourist this year, according to the analysis. The Harukimichi Happy Sakura Festival is a spring event in Minami Ashigara City, featuring 171 cherry trees blooming in unison along the Kari River. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful view of cherry trees, field mustard flowers, and Mt. Fuji. Food stalls and local farm products are available for shopping, and a bustling flea market is also a popular attraction.
Udon Ashigara Kodou Manyo is a famous udon restaurant in Minami Ashigara, offering 10 dishes at affordable prices. Handmade noodles are served, and customers can watch the chef make them. Despite being crowded on weekends and holidays, the restaurant offers hot oden skewers for 100 yen each. However, the shop does not accept credit cards, so don’t forget to bring cash with you.
There are more famous places in Minami Ashigara that you can visit such as Yuhi Waterfall, Daiyuzan Saijo-ji Temple, and many more.
Visit website for more information: https://www.city.minamiashigara.kanagawa.jp/
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Stargazing In Remote Area
Achi Village, located in the Japanese Alps in southwestern Nagano Prefecture, is a popular spot for stargazing, Onsen, skiing, and other activities. With a dark sky, it attracts over 100,000 visitors annually.
In 2006, Japan’s Ministry of Environment recognized Achi as the top spot for observing stars, leading to the establishment of designated stargazing facilities and special tours. The main stargazing facility is Star Village Achi, situated atop a mountain in the Fujimidai Highlands Heaven Sonohara Ski resort. The facility offers 3 different tours based on the season, with a ropeway from the mountain’s base to the peak. At the top, visitors can enjoy a 30 minute sky show using lasers to explain the stars and constellations visible during the season.
Iida, near Achi, is a top fruit producer in Japan, producing the largest amount of Japanese plums, pears, and persimmons in Nagano. The city is also known for apples, European pears, ciders, and sweet dried persimmons called Ichida-gaki, making fruit picking a popular activity.
Achi offers nature lovers much to do during the day as well. It is a haven for camping and hiking. Various ropeways take sightseers to peak experiences.
Visit website for more information: https://www.vill.achi.lg.jp/
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Volcano And Hot Spring Exploration
The Fuji Five Lakes, also known as Fujigoko, are five unique lakes located at the base of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture. These lakes, including Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Sai, Lake Yamanaka, Lake Shoji, and Lake Motosu, offer stunning views of Mt. Fuji from diffirent angles. Each lake is UNESCO World Heritage Site, providing visitors with a unique experience of Japan’s natural beaty.
Visit website for more information: https://www.mt-fuji.gr.jp/en/
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After you visit the Fuji Five Lakes you can also visit the Onsen around the area. The Japanese government has implemented a Hot Spring Act to manage its thousands of Onsens, covering both hot water springs with temperatures over 25℃ and mineral water springs with high mineral content. Even cold water sources can be considered an Onsen if they have sufficient minerals.
Here are some Onsen facilities which you can enjoy:
・For those who don’t have time for Onsen baths, a footbath might be a good choice for you. There are two free-use footbaths in the Fuji Kawaguchiko area.
Kawaguchiko Station: Available between 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m., just outside Kawaguchi Station.
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Shiki no Yado Fujisan: Available between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., just outside of Shiki no Yado Fujisan Hotel.
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・For those with the time to visit an onsen facility, here are 2 examples in the area.
Yamanakako Hirano Onsen Ishiwari-no-Yu: There is a sauna, 1 indoor bath, and 2 outdoor baths with Hinoki (Japanese cypress wood) and rock bathtub.
Fee:
900yen/adults
700yen/high school and junior high school students
350yen/elementary students
Website: https://www.ishiwarinoyu.jp/
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Fujiyama Onsen: Fujiyama Onsen is a natural spring located just next to FujiQ Highland amusement park. People who go to FujiQ Highland or related facilities on the same day can receive a discount on the admission fee.
Fee:
From 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. of weekdays and weekend & holidays will be 800 yen.
From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays will be 1,600 yen and weekends will be 2,000 yen.
Website:https://www.fujiyamaonsen.jp/en/
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There are many additional Onsens to visit in the area, but Yamanashi Prefecture is also known for a variety of dishes such as Hoto and Yoshida Udon, as well as fruits such as Japanese grapes and peaches.
Camping And Outdoor Activities
Nikko National Park in Fukushima Prefecture, a World Heritage Site with Toshogu Shrine and Ramsar Site with Senjogahara Marsh, is a popular tourist destination offering a diverse range of year-round activities and easy accessibility from Tokyo.
Camping in Japan’s national parks offers a deeper connection with nature, with options like Nikko National Park’s wildflowers at Mount Takahara or Kirifuri Highlands. These budget-friendly options provide a chance to sleep under the stars and enjoy unobstructed views, allowing visitors to connect with nature on a deeper level.
Nikko’s local cuisine, including soba (buckwheat noodles) and yuba (tofu skin), is a highlight of any trip. Visitors can also enjoy sweets, drinks, and traditional handicrafts, making them excellent souvenirs and a must-try for food lovers.
Nikko National Park offers a variety of activities throughout the year, including trekking, temple visits, and many others.
Visit website for more information: https://www.env.go.jp/park/nikko/
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Summary
Many sites in Japan are still unfamiliar to tourists. Going to those areas will provide you with an experience unlike any other. If you are interested in any of these locations, please contact JAPAN ROAD TRIP and we will provide you with the best service you have ever had!
03-6777-6565
