Hirokaura Lakeside Forest Campground [広川原湖畔の森キャンプ場] - Ryokan and hotels are nice, but why not try camping for a night?- Kicchow

“A Simple Way to Experience Japan’s Great Outdoors”

Ryokan and hotels are nice, but I recommend trying Hirokaura Lakeside Forest Campground for a refreshing outdoor experience. Located only about 20 minutes by rental car or taxi from Ureshino city center, this campground offers an easy escape into nature without going far.

Here, you can enjoy camping by the lake, surrounded by forests, and spend time barbecuing in the fresh air. Even if you don’t have your own gear, the hands-free camping plan with rental tents and BBQ sets makes it simple for beginners.

What makes this experience special is that after your stay, you can return to town and relax in the famous Ureshino Onsen, one of Japan’s top hot springs. A perfect combination of outdoor adventure and soothing hot spring comfort.

Relax by the Lakeside – Hirokaura Lakeside Forest Campground

The lakeside at Hirokaura Lakeside Forest Campground is a perfect place to enjoy simple pleasures such as a barbecue with friends, small fireworks in the evening, or reading a book in the fresh air. Surrounded by nature, every moment here feels special.

Cottage Stay

Even if you don’t have a tent, you can still enjoy camping comfortably by reserving one of the cozy cottages at Hirokaura Lakeside Forest Campground. Each cottage is equipped with basic facilities, making it possible to cook your own meals with the ingredients you bring.

One of the pleasures of staying here is shopping for fresh local produce. You can visit Yoshida Manzokukan or nearby supermarkets to pick up seasonal vegetables, meat, or fish. Back at the cottage, you can prepare delicious Japanese dishes in a relaxed, homely atmosphere.

This style of camping allows you to combine the convenience of indoor lodging with the joy of outdoor living, creating a balanced and memorable experience for families and groups.

Barbecue Area

The campground features a shared barbecue area, where guests can grill and enjoy meals together. This is not only convenient for cooking but also a great opportunity to meet and interact with other campers. Since this is a town-managed campground, it is mostly visited by local Japanese families and groups, making it a unique chance for international visitors to experience authentic Japanese camping culture.

Here, you may find yourself sharing cooking tips, exchanging stories, or simply enjoying the warm atmosphere created when people gather around the grill. It’s an experience that combines delicious food with cultural connection.

Time in Nature

At Hirokaura Lakeside Forest Campground, the most precious part of your stay is the time you spend surrounded by nature. The entire area is embraced by lush forest and a wide, tranquil lake, creating an atmosphere that feels far removed from everyday life.

As you wander the grounds, you will encounter plants and insects that can only be seen in Japan, from delicate wildflowers to the soothing sound of cicadas in summer. These small discoveries make each moment unique.

What’s special here is that the experience isn’t limited by the weather. On a sunny day, you can barbecue or walk along the lakeside. On a rainy day, the forest takes on a misty beauty, and the sound of raindrops against the leaves creates a calming rhythm. In every season, and in every condition, nature offers something to enjoy.

A Hidden Place to Taste Pure Water

Hirokaura Lakeside Forest Campground is a hidden treasure blessed with abundant natural spring water. Here, you can enjoy crystal-clear water rich in natural minerals, perfect for drinking or cooking. It’s an experience unique to Japan, a true “land of water.” Please use it freely but responsibly, as this is a precious natural resource.

This pure water has been protected and cherished by generations of Japanese people. By using it with care, you help ensure that this gift of nature can be passed on to the children of the future. In return, you are invited to taste and enjoy the incomparable freshness of water drawn straight from the earth.

My Way of Enjoying Hirokaura Lakeside Forest

You can simply purchase ingredients and stay in a lodge with no need to bring any gear, or bring your own tent and enjoy a traditional camping experience. Here, you can enjoy special activities you don’t usually do in daily life—such as fireworks or a barbecue under the stars.

And after the fun is over, refresh yourself at Ureshino Onsen, one of Japan’s most famous hot springs. With delicious food and drinks to enjoy as well, this is truly a perfect place to spend your time.

Why I Recommend This Place

For me, this is a place where time flows differently. Surrounded by untouched nature, with no cell phone signal to pull me back into the noise of daily life, I feel the rare luxury of simply slowing down.

In today’s world, we constantly balance convenience and inconvenience, economy and lifestyle, always weighing choices on invisible scales. But here, such concerns lose their meaning. Time simply passes. In that quiet flow, I find myself reflecting on the moments that have gone by, using my own wisdom to enrich life in small but meaningful ways.

Perhaps this place holds the power to remind us of human evolution itself—of how we once lived closer to nature, and how we might rediscover that connection again.