Traveling through Japan
by Campervan -

Shizuoka – On the Way to Fuji

On the way towards Mount Fuji, the route passes through Shizuoka Prefecture, known for its green tea plantations and the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. The region, with its dense forests and views of Fuji, is a true paradise for nature lovers.
For campers, the area offers numerous rest stops. The Roadside Station Nakawane Chameikan, for example, stands out with well-maintained parking spots, good sanitary facilities, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Fuji Region – Lakes and Cultural Heritage

At the foot of Mount Fuji lies the city of Fujinomiya.
The Mt. Fuji Heritage Center provides factual and interactive information about the mountain’s geology and cultural history.
The surrounding Fuji Five Lakes, such as Lake Saiko, offer parking spots and budget-friendly campsites close to the water.
Barbecuing is allowed at designated areas here.
The well-equipped Roadside Station Katsuyama is located directly on the shore of Lake Kawaguchi.
This lake is especially popular with domestic tourists on weekends and can sometimes be crowded.
A quieter alternative—and our absolute favorite lake around Fuji—is Lake Shojiko /Shōji.

With little tourism, spectacular views of Fuji, and very close camper access to the shore, it offers a peaceful experience.

Note: It is advisable to plan between two and five days for this region

Osaka – Starting Point

The round trip begins in Osaka. After arriving at the airport, we activate our eSIM and take public transport to our accommodation. Osaka is one of the major cities in Western Japan and a culinary hotspot.
An overnight stay in the city is recommended to get your bearings.
Especially in the Dotonbori area—Osaka’s vibrant center filled with narrow alleys and neon lights—there is plenty to explore. This is a great way to gather first impressions of urban Japan.
The next day, we pick up the campervan from Samuraicamper, located outside the city center.
The vehicles are typically equipped with a small sink, a microwave, ample storage, and sleeping space for about two people.
Before setting off, it is advisable to already know where you plan to spend your first night.
Since overnight parking in urban areas is generally impractical, Michi-no-Eki (roadside stations) outside the cities are a good option.

Note: Refrigerators are rarely found in Japanese vans—mainly in XL models. → Check in advance.
Konbini (7-Eleven / FamilyMart / Lawson) are open 24/7. However, if you want to save money, consider shopping in a supermarket.

Nara – Cultural Heritage and Local Food Production

About an hour east of Osaka lies Nara, one of Japan’s former capitals. It presents itself as more rural, but with a unique charm.
The expansive Nara Park offers more than just free-roaming sika deer in a fairytale setting: scattered with historic buildings, many of its 36 sites are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
Temple complexes like Tōdai-ji are easily accessible by camper. Parking is clearly marked but requires a fee.
Off the main tourist paths, it’s worth visiting the traditional Igeta soy sauce brewery, where shoyu is still fermented in wooden barrels.
It’s a rare opportunity to experience regional craftsmanship in an authentic setting—from a family-owned business that has existed since 1864.

Note: Appointments must be made in advance. Contact via Instagram DM (@igeta64).

Wakayama – Castle Complex and Coastal Overnight

The route continues south along the coastline. Wakayama City is a good place to stop for lunch.
The well-preserved castle, with its beautiful daimyo garden, is definitely worth a visit to gain an impression of Edo-period aesthetics—before heading into Wakayama’s quieter natural landscapes.
Along the coastal road, past fishing villages, you’ll find the Michi-no-Eki Shirarahama Ocean Park.
This roadside station is especially appealing for its tall cliffs, ocean views, and clean, warm coin-operated showers.

Note: The roadside station snack bar closes at 4 PM – bring your own food.
Showers, toilets, and vending machines are available 24/7.

Shirahama – Fish Market and Coastal Hike

The next morning, the journey continues to Shirahama. Here, infrastructure meets nature.
The Toretore Fish Market, with its adjoining food court, is known for its public tuna fillet shows and is an active hub for seafood.
It’s the perfect place to enjoy freshly caught sushi and other seafood specialties.
The Sandanbeki cliffs and the cave below are geologically interesting and well-developed for visitors.
Parking spaces near the coastline are accessible via roadside stations.
If you like, you can also swim and relax at Shirahama Beach.

Kumano Kodo – Pilgrimage Route and Onsen

Further inland, our route follows the Kumano Kodo, a historic pilgrimage trail.
A great base for hiking and relaxing is the Michi-no-Eki Kumano Kodo Nakahechi.
With direct access to several hiking routes, this roadside station serves as a central stopover for many pilgrims.
In Yunomine Onsen, the open-air river bath Senninburo offers a unique bathing experience – accessible year-round and open to the public.
Alternatively, there are small nearby campsites with basic facilities available.
It may also be worth considering an overnight stay at a traditional Ryokan.

Southern Mountain Region – Nature and Spirituality

This stage of the route includes several cultural and natural highlights: a boat ride through the Doro-Kyo Gorge, a visit to the Nachi Waterfall with its adjacent temple, and the steep Maruyama Senmaida rice terraces.
The remote Tamaki Shrine offers a serene and spiritual atmosphere, though the winding mountain roads require cautious driving.
Note: Spending two days in this area is a realistic plan.

Ise & Toba – Shintoism and Coastal Scenery

In Ise, you'll find the Jingū Shrine, one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines.
A walk to the Izawa Shrine in Toba leads through a dense bamboo forest along a scenic 3-kilometer coastal loop trail.
Overnight parking spaces nearby are limited but available. Public beach showers open from June onward.

Gifu & Gujo – Tradition and Craftsmanship

In Gifu City, the Nagaragawa Museum documents the centuries-old tradition of cormorant fishing.
The Yamakawa-Tamariya Brewery, a member of the traditional Kioke Shoyu brewing association, offers guided tours in English.
This family-run business produces miso and tamari soy sauce, which is used by top chefs worldwide.

About an hour's drive from Gifu, you can experience the Bon Odori Festival in Gujo Hachiman in July – one of Japan’s three major dance festivals and part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Seki, roughly a 30-minute drive from Gifu City, offers insights into the traditional production of Japanese knives.

Surrounded by rivers, forests, and mountain scenery, the Wara Roadside Station is a great overnight stop in this region.
Private shower rooms are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for 200 yen.

Itinerary Note:

The entire route covers approximately 3,500 kilometers and is realistically manageable within three to five weeks at a moderate pace.

The combination of well-developed infrastructure, a wide network of
Michi-no-Eki, campgrounds, and regional diversity allows for smooth and flexible self-organization.

Tokyo – Logistics and Alternatives

Visiting Tokyo with a campervan is possible but logistically very challenging.
It is advisable to use an official campsite in the surrounding area.
Another option to minimize camper downtime and save costs is to reach the city at the end of the trip using the JR Pass via Shinkansen and enjoy the ride on Japan’s high-speed train.

Oze National Park & Tokamachi – Highland Region

Oze National Park is suitable for several-hour hikes on boardwalks through marsh and swamp areas.
The village of Tokamachi hosts Japan’s largest Kōji Amazake Factory.
Unlike traditional family-run businesses, this is a highly modernized factory that cultivates its own kōji mold and brews with glacier water from the Shinano River, one of Japan’s cleanest rivers.
Tours and workshops (e.g., soap making) are offered for visitors.
Here is the link for free booking.

When visiting in winter, keep in mind that the region is covered by up to four meters of snow annually due to its alpine location—making it perfect for the annual Tokamachi Snow Festival in February.
The surrounding Hoshitōge rice terraces and the sake village Hakkai Jōzō convey idyllic scenes and provide further insight into alpine agriculture and regional fermentation culture.

Matsumoto & Azumino – Food and Textile Crafts

Matsumoto is known for its castle, soba noodles, and miso.
The Ishii Miso Brewery offers free guided tours (in English) for a deeper understanding of miso production. Here is the inquiry form link.

Afterwards, spend the afternoon at the Daio Wasabi Farm (free admission) with a pleasant nature walk.
At 15 hectares, it is the largest wasabi farm in Japan.
In Azumino, a silk spinning museum offers insights into historical textile production.

Chubu Sangaku & Norikura – High Mountains

The route passes through Chūbu-Sangaku National Park, especially Mount Norikura, one of the most accessible peaks for hikers.
Overnight stays are possible at small state campsites or Michi-no-Eki.
The terrain is winding but well maintained.

Note: Please check access routes on Google Maps before your trip, as roads may be temporarily closed due to weather conditions.

Takayama Open-Air Museum

In Takayama, the Hida-no-Sato open-air museum documents daily life in the Edo period.
The walk-in Gasshō-style houses were relocated and preserved specifically for this purpose.

Note: Please remove your shoes before entering the houses.
If you enjoy the atmosphere of Hida-no-Sato, consider a detour to Shirakawa and/or Gokayama.
These two villages are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites due to their Gasshō-zukuri houses.

Lake Biwa – Western Japan and Water Sports

Between Takayama and Kyoto lies Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake.
At Shiotsuhama Ryokuchi Park and Ōmihachiman Camping Ground, water sports and island hopping are possible.
The water quality is excellent, the camping area well maintained, and the sandy beach very attractive.
Facilities and rentals for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) are available.
Secluded spots for more privacy can, of course, also be found with a campervan.

Kyoto and Northern Coast – Culture and Views

An optional stop in Kyoto can be planned if interested, but the same recommendation as for Tokyo applies here:
It is better to organize the city trip with a JR Pass or book fixed accommodation.
Continuing on to the Amanohashidate sandbar offers impressively scenic views.
Overnight stays at the Roadside Station Funaya no Sato provide a picturesque outlook over Ine Bay and its fishing villages. If desired, the bay and surrounding islands can be visited by ferry the following morning.

Enjoy your trip!
We’d love to hear your feedback or see your routes—share them with us and the community on Instagram or TikTok, and help support more sustainable tourism in Japan!

Kobe & Osaka – End of the Journey and Camper Drop-off

The last leg of the journey takes you through Hyōgo Prefecture to Kobe.
We stop at Tajima Farm Park — a place dedicated to Wagyu cattle breeding and the home of the world-famous Kobe beef.
A final dinner in Kobe and one last night in the campervan round off the trip before returning the vehicle in Osaka.

Tip: The Venus Bridge offers a stunning view over Kobe and the sea.
On clear days, you can even see all the way to Osaka — especially beautiful in the evening.

Be cautious of “Kobe beef” scams in Kobe: most of the meat sold as Kobe beef is not authentic.
Only dine at restaurants displaying the official certification mark.
You can find authentic Kobe beef restaurants on this website.