Toyamizubenosato Takarada Campground is located next to Lake Toya, the third-largest caldera lake in Japan. It is equipped with plenty of private camping spaces.

Although you won't be able to see the lake directly from the campsite, there's a hiking trail in the vicinity - the Takarada Nature Observation Trail - where you can go for that.

Takarada has five main types of campsites and cabins. There's a campervan site, private sites A and B, an open site, and finally, a free site.

Our recommendation is one of the private sites. Each site has clearly segmented camping areas so that everyone knows which part of the site belongs to them. These segments vary in size and shape depending on whether they are in the A or B zone.

Also, every private site has enough space beside it for a car to be parked, making it very convenient for families and groups. Advanced booking is required for all campsites and cabins, except the free site.

You can set up camp on the free site as long as there is space available, but those who made reservations will be given priority, so why risk it? Book a spot in advance if you're definitely planning on going!

Clean water and related facilities are natural concerns during a camping trip. Takarada Camping Ground has a cooking area with drinking water, so rest assured that any food you prepare with the water here will be safe for consumption!

Hygiene is likely another concern, but the camping ground has this aspect covered as well. A few of the toilets here come with an auto-cleaning function, and taps will automatically dispense water when their movement sensor is activated, reducing the need to touch shared surfaces unnecessarily.

It takes about an hour and 45 minutes to reach Takarada Camping Ground by car from New Chitose Airport. You'll be given an English guidebook of the area at the reception once you arrive, so be sure to check out the information first before proceeding to your campsite!

Staff here can speak some English. If you have any simple questions, do not hesitate to let them know, or use a translation tool to make further inquiries if need be.

Covid-19 Countermeasures
Campers are to wear masks during their stay / Hand wash or soap available at washrooms / Regular disinfection of facilities / Limited number of campers allowed on site to ensure proper distancing / Large groups and organizations not accepted (maximum of 8 per group) / Rental of camping equipment temporarily suspended

Hoshinitenotodokuoka means "a hill where the stars are within reach," and it was so named because the sky here is filled with countless twinkling stars at night that seem close enough to touch! This popular camping site is located at the foot of the beautiful Mount Furano.

Besides the clean air here, you'll also be able to enjoy a mesmerizing, star-studded sky at night, as camp administrators have put much effort into reducing artificial lights in the area as much as possible.

This is why thousands upon thousands of glittering stars can be seen on clear nights - a feat virtually impossible to replicate in large cities with copious amounts of light pollution. The campsite is a 2 hour and 20 minute drive from New Chitose Airport, and staff here can speak English.

There are three types of camping grounds here: an automobile site, campervan site, and riders-only site. There are also five types of bungalows available for booking. Reservation is required for all campsites and bungalows.

The automobile site is further segregated into the Star Site and Hill Site. In the former, campers will be treated to an unobstructed, open view of the starry sky that seemingly surrounds them at night, whereas the highlight of the latter is unbeatable evening landscapes that slowly melt into the backdrop of a starlit sky. All campsites are equipped with stone hearths that you can start campfires in.

A starry sky isn't the only attraction to look forward to here. The camping ground is also a great viewing point for the occasional sea of clouds phenomenon in the distance!

Also, in the morning, the domestic sheep being reared on the campsite will be released from their pens to graze in the area.

It's not uncommon for some of the more intrepid sheep will come up to the tents for a curious sniff! Even if they don't grace your campsite with their presence, you'll still be able to wake up to the sight of these docile creatures munching the grass at a very close distance.

This is a chance for a surreal experience that would be hard to find in city areas!

Covid-19 countermeasures
Reception and facilities disinfected with alcohol-based disinfectant / Check-in counter installed with plastic partitions / Others as needed

Arten is a relatively short 40-minute drive away from New Chitose Airport via expressway. There's also a natural hot spring bathing facility, Yunominoyu located within its premises, for campers to enjoy a nice, warm soak whenever they feel like it!

Campers who pay the hot spring admission fee are allowed to use the bath once at any time during their three-day stay.

Besides an outdoor bath, Yunominoyu also has saunas and other bathing facilities. The camp center has shower rooms as well, for those looking for a quicker way to freshen up.

Six types of campsites can be found here, along with five types of cottages. Some sites have segregated zones with their own power source and cooking area.

Those who didn't bring along camping gear can rent them from the campsite. These well-equipped facilities ensure that even beginners can enjoy their first camping experience without too much discomfort.

Some of the sites have parking areas next to them for campervans as well. Advanced reservation via the official website is required for campsites and cottages.

When checking in, you'll be given a camp guide written in English, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese. Read through it carefully before starting so as to get the most out of your camping trip here!

Campers at Auto Resort Tomakomai Arten also have the opportunity to take part in plenty of fun outdoor activities, such as horse riding, park golf, canoeing, and others.

Covid-19 Countermeasures
Sanitizers placed around the facilities for guest use / Regular ventilation of indoor facilities / Disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces on vending machines and common areas / Staff wash hands, gargle, and wear masks / Staff have their temperatures checked before starting work / Guests are requested to maintain proper distancing, wear masks, wash and sanitize hands, and not converse when eating or bathing. Temperatures are taken before admission into facilities / Those we are unwell (manifesting symptoms such as fever, coughing, sneezing) are to refrain from using the facilities / Others as needed

Makkari Camp Site is located in Yotei Nature Park, which resides at the foot of Mount Yotei. The Forest Education Exhibition Pavilion inside serves at the reception desk of the campsite.

You can also sign up for casual woodworking projects, park golfing, or field athletics activities in the pavilion, making this a very family-friendly campsite.

Because you'll be surrounded by trees and nature here, you may encounter some uncommon wildlife such as owls and woodpeckers if you're lucky! It takes about two hours to get here by car from New Chitose Airport.

There are free sites, automobile sites, and barrier-free sites (physical disability certificate required) available for use on the camping ground here.

The automobile sites and barrier-free sites have parking areas next to them for cars. They also come with their own AC power source. Each automobile site has its own water source as well. This allows everyone to enjoy their camping experience in a private space.

Advanced reservation is required for the automobile and barrier-free sites. While there's no need to make a booking for the free sites, note that only a limited number of groups are allowed to camp there at once.

Another thing to note is that the staff at Makkari Camp Site can only speak Japanese. Not to worry, though, because fees and charges will be explained using a fee chart with English labels. Feel free to bring along a translation device as well to communicate better with the staff in case of emergencies.

Covid-19 Countermeasures
Sanitizers available at reception area for guest use / Washrooms and common facilities disinfected regularly / Temporary suspension of rental of tents, sleeping bags, beds, and shower rooms / Others as needed

About a 40-minute drive away from New Chitose Airport is Kyukamura Shikotsuko Morappu Camping Site, ideally located right next to Lake Shikotsu, which is well-known for its clear water and excellent water quality.

Mount Eniwa looms in the background as well, giving campers a spectacular sight to gaze at. The face of the natural landscape here changes depending on the time of the day, so there's always something new to see!

Relax in your tent and be pulled into the different worlds here at sunrise, sunset, and during a starry night.

The only camping site available here is a free site on sandy terrain. There are also no segregations, so anyone can camp here anywhere they like. Needless to say, there's no need for advanced reservations either, although to prevent the spread of Covid-19, only a limited number of campers will be allowed onto the site from time to time.

If you do make a reservation, however, you can book one of the three permanent tents on the site and avoid having to keep an eye out for that perfect spot to pitch a tent!

There's a very attractive package available for those who plan ahead and make an advanced reservation here. The "Kimamani Camp Plan" allows you to just bring yourself and start your camping adventure right away, as the campsite will rent out tents and other essential camping gear to you.

The "Teburade Camp Plan" is even better - you'll have food ingredients ready for you upon arrival as well! Both plans include admission to Kyukamura Shikotsuko, a hot spring facility about a 10-minute drive away from the campsite.

Camp staff can only speak limited English, so feel free to bring along a translation device in case of emergencies.

Covid-19 Countermeasures
Alcohol-based sanitizers available at reception area for guest use / Only one group allowed at reception area at once / Limited visitors allowed to prevent overcrowding / Others as needed

For the ultra-practical who want to experience camping life without having to keep checking the weather forecast on the different campsites, there's always the weather-proof campervan!

And the abundance of campervan rental places near New Chitose Airport certainly makes this option even more attractive. If this is one of your considerations, then this section is for your handy reference.

This rental shop is about a 10-minute drive from New Chitose Airport. Of course, you may be wondering how to get there without a car in the first place, but not to worry - there's a free shuttle bus from the airport to the shop that you can make an advanced reservation for. The shop also rents out camping gear if you happen to need some.

The shop's original Robinson771 is our recommended campervan. It comes with a spacious interior that can accommodate up to seven passengers. For hygiene reasons, the entire car is protected with an antibacterial glass coating solution.

Rental rate starts from 20,900 yen. This rate will change depending on the number of rental days, the car type, as well as the season.

*The rental shop also offers a convenient all-in-one plan for foreigners that includes insurance, sleeping bags, an ETC card (for expressway tolls), kitchen utensils, and studless snow tires. The plan starts from 27,500 yen. Visit the official New Chitose Airport Campervan Rental Center website for more details.

The call center is staffed by folks who speak English, so don't be afraid to call with your inquiries! Once you're at the shop, documents and other printed information will be provided in foreign languages as well.

All campervans must be booked in advance. Please only visit the shop after you have made a reservation.

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Covid-19 Countermeasures
Interior of shop and facilities are regularly disinfected, sterilized, and washed / Antiseptic solutions have been installed for guest use / Regular ventilation / Staff are required to put on masks, regularly wash and disinfect their hands, gargle, and check their temperatures / Guests who are ill will not be allowed into the shop / Guests are to put on masks and have their temperatures checked

This campervan-only rental shop is about a 7-minute drive from New Chitose Airport. If you take a taxi here from the airport, show the staff the receipt and they'll be happy to refund you the fee. Some staff can speak English and Mandarin, so feel free to make any doubts and questions known!

The staff here highly recommend the campervan model ZiL520. Its luxuriously outfitted interior is decked with things like a TV, room air-conditioning, FF heaters, floor heating, and other modern marvels to ensure maximum comfort on the road.

The shop also rents out sleeping bags and various cooking utensils in case you forgot to pack any. Make sure you've got everything you need for the road trip before leaving the shop!

Rental rate starts from 14,300 yen. This rate will change depending on the number of rental days, the car type, as well as the season.

Covid-19 Countermeasures
Staff are required to put on masks / Guests are to put on masks (masks will be provided for free to those not having one) / Barrier shields installed on service tables / Campervans are cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected with ozone air purifiers

DO CAMPER is located in Chitose Outlet Mall Rera, a commercial building just a 2-minute walk from Minami-Chitose Station on the JR Lines, which is one station next to New Chitose Airport.

Some staff can speak English or Mandarin, so if you indicate your language preference and date of arrival in advance, the shop will make the arrangements to ensure that these staff are on hand when you visit.

The staff here recommend Corde Bunks, a campervan model that can accommodate up to seven passengers, and comes with enough space for five to sleep in. The interior is designed to be calm and soothing, so that you'll always feel like you're in a comfortable hotel on the go!

You may also rent any camping gear you need from the shop, including bedding, barbeque grills, tarps, tables, and other camping essentials.

Rental rate starts from 16,000 yen (excluding tax). This rate will change depending on the number of rental days, the car type, as well as the season.

Covid-19 Countermeasures
Staff check temperatures every day / Staff identified as close contacts of active cases are made known to the company / Staff wash hands regularly / Cars are cleaned and disinfected regularly

Text by: Minna no Kotobasha
*Information in this article is accurate as of April 2021. Check the official websites for latest information.

English translation by: Huimin Pan