Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Considering Japan in 2022

Free camping and Michi no eki map. Very nice resource.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/1492385404393013/

Here is a rough copy/paste

Map for FREE CAMPING, FREE HOT SPRINGS and MICHI-NO-EKI's (Roadside stations) all over Japan. Icons explanation on this link -> https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1772223196136304&set=gm.17433138826 33496&type=3 Before you start... The locations contained within this map are the result of months of hard working with city local authorities, tourists associations and also from travelers adding new locations from within this map. Don't forget to subscribe to: Free Hot Springs and Free Camping in Japan https://www.facebook.com/groups/wildcampingjapan/ and our group of cycling touring and hiking in Japan: https://www.facebook.com/groups/alt.2600/ If you like the map, contribute by adding a new location yourself like an undiscovered spot, your best interesting place or reporting an issue via our facebook group (Please send us the address or coordinates). We also have a Cycling Touring Hiking and Friends in Japan group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/alt.2600/ The map also includes onsens under JPY500 and hostels up to JPY3,500 and around 1000 "Michi no Eki". Michi-no-Eki means “Roadside Station” in Japanese. The Michi-no-Eki system was launched 20 years ago to create a safe, comfortable road traffic environment, and unique, lively spaces that showcased the individuality of a region. Each Michi-no-Eki has three distinct features: “Refresh” – Rest facilities that include free 24-hour parking and restrooms. “Community” – Regional co-operation where cultural centers, tourist attractions, recreation and other local development facilities promote interaction with the region. “Information” – Where road, tourist and emergency care information is readily available. Free Wi-Fi, toilets, shops, restaurants, parkings, information centers, fax, credit cards, post offices, some with camping and onsen, and much more! Japan is usually perceived as a very expensive country to visit; however, it is actually very possible to travel in Japan on a very tight budget. Perhaps the biggest way of massively cutting down your expenses is to do wild camping. You can effectively reduce your travel costs to food and admission fees alone. As per my knowledge wild camping on public land is theoretically illegal and wild camping on private property requires the landowner's permission. My personal opinion is that, if you pitch up a tent or even sleep on a bench in an out-of-the-way place so that you don't disturb anybody and don't make a mess, you're unlikely to be disturbed either. 1) Here are some tips from other sites: - Pitch your tent late and head out early. - Respect for the interests of other people. - Act with courtesy, consideration and awareness. - Care for the environment. - Take responsibility for your actions. Remember that the outdoors cannot be made risk free. - Act with care at all times for your own safety and that of others and be as discreet and as unobtrusive as you can. - It should also be noted that you should try to be nomad as much as possible, i.e. stay no more than 2 -3 consecutive nights at one place. - If police ask you to move – then do so, and ask them where it would be OK to camp for the night. They should be friendly – especially to a tourist who is only at that spot for one night. (Living 25yrs in Japan, I've never heard about whats the fine for wild camping) - On private properties always ask for permission to landowner's. - Look after the places you visit and enjoy and leave the land as you find it. Fortunately, you can benefit from the "foreigner factor", which makes everyone much more tolerant of you. However, it is a good idea to keep in mind that you are indeed doing an activity that stands on the margins of society, and so you should strive to be as discreet and respectful as possible when camping, so as to give the idea that you are a respectful traveler rather than a rude foreigner trying to freeload off Japan and its people. 2) Rural Areas Small towns' public parks will almost always be perfect. However, there are a few other possible ways to sleep in rural areas. - In rural areas, you can often find shrines at such places, make yourself known to the neighbors first. Shrines are always open (as opposed to temples which usually close for the night), usually empty, and they give a terrain for you to sleep on. - Even though temples close for the night, it is usually possible to sleep in the parking lot of the temples (if it is a rural temple). If you arrive at a temple and there is someone there (a monk or someone tending the grounds), you can ask them if there is anywhere you can sleep. Sometimes, they will direct you to the parking lot and they will let you use the temple's facilities. Obviously, if they tell you that you cannot sleep there, be respectful and don't sleep in the parking lot. - Michi-no-eki (meaning "Road Station") are rest stops on the side of the road all over Japan. There are always toilets, vending machines, etc. You can almost always find rest huts there. Some michi-no-eki are open 24h so you can sometimes sleep inside. - If there is really nothing available, you can usually sleep in empty, out-of-the-way parking lots. - In rural Japan, pretty much anywhere where you do not bother other people or step on private property is a good spot (ex: shore, beach, forest, under a bridge...). Note that fields are private property and by sleeping there you also destroy people's fields, which is not very nice. - There are over 3,000 campsites all over Japan with prices ranging from 200 to 1,000 yen per night (*Some of them for free) 3) Washing yourself For washing yourself, there are a few methods. - Public parks and toilets - If the weather is warm, you can wash in public parks, using available water. Sometimes the parks have toilets for handicapped people, which usually consist of a room with a toilet and sink, and is lockable; very convenient for washing ! - Public baths and onsen - If it's cold outside or you do not want to wash in public parks or toilets, you can go to onsen (hot springs) or sento (public baths). In practice there is no real difference between the two, so just ask for the cheapest (they are usually around 400 yen). - Internet cafes. In the big internet cafes there are sometimes showers available. They are usually free (if you also use the computers) but there is some fee. By the way, almost all Internet Cafes "unlimited free drinks" policy! 4) Washing your clothes - For washing your clothes, you can do it by hand or find laundromats (coin laundry), which can be found pretty much anywhere. Note: This procedure has worked well for me, but despite of our best efforts it is possible that some information of this group may be inaccurate, incomplete or out of date, so please contact in advance to ensure availability and use at your own risk. I'm not responsible for the use and accuracy of these information. Thank you for your understanding. Enjoy! james Note: Do not copy and edit without written permission. Copy Rights James Oda (alt.2600.jp@gmail.com)