Several camps lie within Tokyo limits. The Wakasu Park Camp Site in the Koto Ward sits along the tip of reclaimed land along the Tokyo Bay. Minutes from Shin-Kiba station by taxi, it’s located near Haneda Airport, industrial parks and a four-lane highway, but it features long strips of land for tent-pitching, and grilling facilities for picnics. At night, the planes stop and the factories shut down, leaving the park quiet for overnight stays. Also located in Tokyo Prefecture, Hikarigaoka sits in the Nerima Ward on what used to be an airfield in WWII. Surrounded by both forests and high-rise residences, Hikarigaoka includes athletic facilities such as a soccer field and archery range.
A little farther from Tokyo’s city limits is the Ina Camping Village, about 10 minutes from the Musashimasuko station by foot. Camping equipment rentals are available on site, and visitors enjoy its varied lodging choices and barbecue facilities. Hikawa Campsite offers similar amenities, located approximately two hours from Tokyo by train via the Okutama station.
One common practice, especially for young international backpackers on a tight budget, is urban camping. Urban camping means sleeping outdoors in any public area, often near a train station or area with toilets and shower facilities. There’s even a Japanese word for it: nojuku, or “sleeping outside.” Students frequently participate in nojuku during good weather, and it’s a common sight in the quieter streets and parks of Tokyo. Public areas are open for this type of camping, but verify with local authorities that your chosen location is acceptable before you settle down. National parks do not allow nojuku.
While camping wasn’t a common pastime for Japanese citizens prior to 2000, interest has grown since the beginning of the 21st century, particularly among young students and concert goers looking for a fun way to spend their summer. You’ll even find Japanese women using tents on the beach as a means to avoid the sun.
There are two distinct types of campsites in Japan: the traditional tent camping, called camp-jo, and campsites that allow cars, or auto-jo. The campsites in and near Tokyo primarily are camp-jo. This delineation frequently is displayed in both English and Japanese on pamphlets and travel brochures. Look for campsites in the Kanto region, where Tokyo and its surrounding cities are located.
