Do you find yourself hesitating to try winter camping because it seems too cold?
Winter camping offers a unique experience that summer camping cannot. If you've been avoiding it due to the cold, why not give it a try?
The Appeal of Winter Camping
The Appeal of Motorcycle Touring Camps
Essential Gear and Items for Winter Camping
Clothing needed for winter camping
Shoes: Water-repellent and fleece-lined shoes are recommended. Insoles can further increase warmth.
Outerwear: Down jackets are essential. Choose windproof options.
Sparks from bonfires can fly, so bonfire-resistant clothing is recommended.
Also choose warm shoes.
Recommended outfits for men
While layering for warmth is good, simply piling on clothes can make you look bulky and a bit unfortunate.
By choosing wool for your underwear, highly insulating fleece for your mid-layer, and windproof fabric for your outermost layer, you can maintain functionality while still looking stylish.
Recommended outfits for women
Be careful not to let your lower body get cold.
Knitted or quilted wrap skirts over leggings or tights are recommended.
Recommended clothing for children
Children quickly get sweaty running around in nature, so choose quick-drying underwear for them.
Bring more changes of clothes than for adults.
Heating is essential for winter camping to combat the cold.
Winter Camping Bedding (Sleeping Bag, Mat, Cot, Blanket)
Choosing a highly insulated sleeping bag ensures a comfortable night's sleep.
Combining it with a cot is another way to block out the cold.
Cots are an effective way to block out cold air.
Prepare a sleeping bag with excessive performance.
Sleeping bags are expensive, so if your budget is tight, save money by allocating more to heating.
Recommended Stoves
While large fire pits and wood-burning stoves that vent through the tent are aspirational and create a great atmosphere, for beginners, kerosene stoves that can be used without electricity are recommended.
Don't forget to prepare a carbon monoxide detector.
Recommended Kotatsu Camping
If the site has an electrical hookup, a kotatsu is a good option.
Your back might get cold, so prepare blankets and such.
Children tend to crawl under it. Please be careful about burns.
Tangled legs with family will keep you warm, and it's also a great way to bond – two birds with one stone!
Even better if you have mandarins.
Winter Camping Cuisine and Meals
Recommended Recipes
Hot pot that warms you to the core
For winter camping, a warming hot pot is definitely recommended.
After finishing the meal, add udon noodles to increase your feeling of fullness.
Breakfast
In the morning, both the air and your body are chilled. How about coffee for Dad, and cocoa for Mom and the kids?
Paired with hot sandwiches, you've got a simple, warm meal.
Let's Go Winter Camping
If you're unsure, start with a lodge or cottage camp.
It takes courage to suddenly camp in the snow.
In such cases, starting with a stay in a lodge or cottage is a good option.
If heating is provided, it significantly lowers the barrier to winter camping.
Recommended Campsites
Recommended Campsites for Your First Winter Camping Trip
Here are three key points to consider when choosing a campsite for your first winter camping trip.
Camping is possible even without all of these, but it's always better to have them. Consider them as insurance.
- AC outlet: You can use a kotatsu, electric carpet, electric foot warmer, etc., as mentioned earlier.
- Campsite hot spring: You can take a warm bath before bed and sleep snugly. If it's far, driving at night in winter can be risky.
- Lodge: Even if you plan to spend the night in a tent, there might be times when you just can't sleep. Having a lodge where you can retreat in such situations provides peace of mind.
Also, always change your car tires to snow tires.
It's common for mountainous areas to have snow even if the plains are sunny.
Chains are only for emergencies. Replace them beforehand.
Oarai Campsite
Access
Via Joban Expressway Tomobe JCT
10 minutes from Kita-Kanto Expressway / Higashi-Mito Road "Mito Oarai IC"
- About 1 hour 30 minutes from Tokyo
- About 30 minutes from Kasama
- About 2 hours from Oyama
- About 1 hour from Kashima
A pleasant forest site chosen as one of Japan's Top 100 Forests for Forest Bathing.
The renovated cabins are fully equipped with air conditioning.
Cabins have bunk beds, but no bedding is provided, so you need to bring your own.
Rental items are also plentiful.
Shiobara Green Village
1230 Shiobara, Nasushiobara-shi, Tochigi 329-2921
Tohoku Expressway: 14km from Nishi-Nasuno/Shiobara IC via Route 400 towards Shiobara
Tohoku Expressway: 20km from Kuroiso/Itamuro IC via Route 400 towards Shiobara
From Route 4, turn towards Shiobara at Mishima intersection in Nasushiobara City, approximately 18km
From Kinugawa/Kawaji Onsen area, via Nishishiobara Momiji Line (600 yen for general vehicles) to Shiobara Onsen town
The cottages are very well-equipped.
They are fully equipped with heating, feather futons, microwaves, and even indoor baths.
With this, you can enjoy the crisp winter air with peace of mind.
ACN Santa Hills
967 Miwa, Nakagawa-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi
Access
Route from Tohoku Expressway Utsunomiya IC (45 minutes travel time)
From Utsunomiya IC, go straight from the Imaichi/Nikko/Ujiie/Route 293 side exit, then turn right at the intersection with Route 293.
You will eventually reach Route 4. Turn right and proceed straight for about 1 km to the "Kawagishi" traffic light, then turn left. Continue on Route 293 again.
Proceed along the road for about 30 minutes, pass the "Nakagawa Town" sign, go down a slope, and you'll see a traffic light and a Santa Hills sign. Turn left there.
Route from Joban Expressway Naka IC (70 minutes travel time)
From Naka IC exit, head north on Route 118.
At the intersection with Route 293 about 10km ahead, turn left at "Higashi-Tomi" and proceed straight for about 40 minutes.
After entering "Nakagawa Town," pass "Nasu Ogawa GC" and "Jun Classic CC" in about 10 minutes. Immediately after, you'll see a traffic light and a Santa Hills sign, turn right.
Common route for nearby areas
Proceed along the road for about 2km, and you'll see a Santa Hills utility pole sign on your left, turn left there.
Go straight and take the right fork at the Y-junction. After 200m, you'll see the Santa Hills entrance sign. Turn right to enter.
This is a Christmas-themed campsite, particularly well-equipped with cottages.
The cottages are handcrafted by staff and feature fireplaces and irori hearths.
It also has an attached private dog run, allowing you to enjoy nature with your pet.
