Kumamoto has many great nature spots that can be enjoyed close up for a few days with a spot of camping. These range from luxury “glamping” villages with all mod cons to free park and camp facilities. If you’re up for a weekend or more in the great outdoors, here’s where you can head to.

Higotai Park Camping Village

This small mountain village within the Kuju range and not far from Mount Aso is at 900 meters altitude. The small and beautiful riverside campsite area has cabins, permanent tents, and a range of facilities including a botanical garden and even a small library. The best time of year for a visit is autumn, when you can see the surrounding wildlife turn a golden brown.

Address: 771 Tajiri, Ubuyama, Aso District, Kumamoto 869-2704

Marina Franping Village, Amakusa

Another upmarket “glamping” option, the Marina Franping park in the Kami Amakusa area offers up ocean-side camping accommodation including cabins and trailers with free parking. Units include air-conditioning, fully equipped kitchen, flat-screen TV and private bathroom. There is also a barbecue area where you can make your own grill fire. Prices start at around 20,000 yen a night for up to eight guests.

Address: 11275-19 Noboritate, Oyanomachi, Kamiamakusa, Kumamoto 869-3601

Misato Garden Palace

This forested camping utopia along the lakeside of the Midorikawa Dam provides a range of options including lodges, log houses, auto camping and free tent spaces. Lodges can house up to six people and there is also a barbeque house complete with stone pizza oven.

Website: http://en.misato.town/spot.html?id=35

Mitsujima Kaisuiyokujo

There are many free no-frills campsites across Kumamoto where you can just turn up, pitch up, and enjoy what nature has to offer. This site in the coastal Tsunagi region of the prefecture is sandwiched between the forest and Mitsujima beach. Facilities are quite basic. There are cooking facilities, a fire area, a restroom, and a shower room, but you’ll need to bring your own cooking equipment.

Address: Ashikita-gun, Tsunagi-machi, Kumamoto 869-5605

Minami Aso Campsite

Within close range of Mount Aso, this is a good camping site if you’re looking to access hiking trails and adventure sports. There is auto camping available for those with vehicles bringing their own equipment, plus you can hire tents, sleeping bags, and lanterns if you cannot bring these onsite yourself. In addition to this, there are barbeque facilities as well as local beef products available for purchase.

Address: 3219 Takamori-cho, Aso-gun, Kumamoto 869-1602

Four Seasons Village, Kyokushi

Finally, if you’re looking for a full-on holiday experience, this elegant complex in Kuradake on the outer rim of Mount Aso will tick all of the boxes. There’s a campsite where you can pitch your own tent or rent an on-site model, plus log cabins and bungalows with all mod cons. Additional facilities include a large bath-house, petting zoo, café, restaurant, BBQ area, swimming pool, and outdoor stage for summer performances.

Address: 2934-10 Kyokushifumoto, Kikuchi City, Kumamoto 860-0083

DONANENTHUSIAST, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons