Japan is one of the most campervan-friendly countries in the world! One of the reasons why Japan is a good place to travel with a campervan is that the number of campgrounds has been increasing in recent years due to the camping boom in Japan, and there are also many road stations called “Michi-no-Eki” in Japan.
For more information on possible places to stay in a car, please see the following pages.
Places to stay in campervan in Japan | RV rental Narita (travellers-autobarn.co.jp)
In this page, we recommend several roadside stations and free parking for those looking for a place to rest for free!
Tochigi Prefecture
Okunikkosanbonmatsu Parking Lot
- Adjacent to Senjogahara Marshland with mountain views
- 100+ parking spaces
- Restrooms 24 hours
- Eating places nearby
- Nearby attractions: Nikko National Park, Lake Chuzenji, Mt. Nantai, Senjogahara Marshland, several waterfalls
- North of Nikko near a river
- 50+ parking spaces
- Restrooms 24 hours
- Restaurant: 10:30 – 3:00
- Free footbath: 9:00 – 4:00
- Onsite hot spring 10:00 – 8:00 (last entry 7:00)
- Nearby attractions: Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura, Nikko Toshou-gu, hiking, skiing, snowboarding,
Gunma Prefecture
Tsumago, Sawayaka Kaido Parking Lot
- Rural farming location
- 15 parking spaces (approximately)
- Restrooms 24 hours
- Nearby attractions: Kusatsu Onsen town, Mt. Shirane Kusatsu.
- River valley location with a mix of urban and rural and beautiful autumn leaves
- 150 + parking spaces
- Restrooms 24 hours
- Cooking area
- Observation deck providing a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains
- Onsite hot spring 10:00 – 9:00
- Nearby attractions: Takaragawa Onsen (1 hour), Tanigawa Dake (45 min), Oze National Park (45min), a variety of outdoor activities: hiking, kayaking, canyoning, whitewater rafting, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, etc.
Nagano Prefecture
Sansan Park Hakuba Parking Lot
- Rice field area with spectacular early morning view of the Hakuba mountains
- 50+ parking spaces
- Restrooms 24 hours
- Nearby attractions: Numerous nearby day-trip hot spring facilities, hiking in summer, snowboarding/skiing in winter
- Foothills of the Northern Nagano mountains
- 50+ parking spaces
- Restrooms 24 hours with hot water
- Specialty product shop: summer 9:00 – 6:30, winter 9:00 – 6:00
- Farmer’s market: summer 7:30 – 6:00, winter 8:30 – 5:00
- Food court: 10:00 – 5:30 (last order at 5:00)
- Nearby attractions: Nozawa Onsen, Myoko Kogen, Lake Nogiri, various ski resorts
Yamanashi Prefecture
- Lakeside location with a good view of Mt. Fuji
- 50 + parking spaces
- Restrooms may not be available at night.
- Nearby attractions: Mt. Fuji, Mt. Fuji’s five lakes, Fuji-Q Highland (amusement park)
Mizugaki Lake Visitor Center Parking Lot
- Lakeside location with park in rural mountain village
- 50+ parking spaces
- Restrooms 24 hours and heated toilets
- Beverage vending machines 24 hours
- Nearby attractions: 1 hour to Yatsugatake
Shizuoka Prefecture
Himenosawa Park Sasanqua Parking Lot
- Quiet wooded location outside of Atami (seaside resort town)
- 40 parking spaces (approximately)
- Restrooms 24 hours
- Nearby attractions: Atami, Atami Castle, Hakone and Lake Ashi
- Northeast side of Mt. Fuji providing great views of Mt. Fuji at sunrise
- 50+ parking spaces
- Restrooms 24 hours
- Ice cream shop: 8:00 – 5:00
- Restaurant: 8:00 – 5:00 (last order 4:30)
- Nearby attractions: Four of the five lakes near Mt. Fuji, Fuji-Q Highland (amusement park)
Kanagawa Prefecture
- Nearest michi no eki to Lake Ashi and Hakone
- 25 parking spaces (approximately)
- Restrooms 24 hours
- Shopping area 9:00 – 5:00
- Dining area 9:00 – 4:00 (last order 3:30)
- Nearby attractions: Lake Ashi, Hakone town, Mt. Hakone, Hakone Sekisho (restored Edo-era military checkpoint), hot springs, museums, Mt. Fuji
Yamagata Prefecture
- New michi no eki located just outside the urban area
- 200+ parking spaces
- Restrooms 24 hours
- Indoor sitting area with tables, chairs and trash cans
- Yonezawa Beef Restaurant: 10:00 – 6:00 (last order at 5:30)
- Food Court: 10:00 – 6:00 (last order at 6:00)
- Shopping area & tourist information center: 9:00 – 6:00
- Convenience Store: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
- Nearby attractions: Mt. Adatara / Bandai Asahi National Park
About the Author
Sayuri
I have been travelling by campervan to various areas all over Japan for more than 5 years. My goal is to visit all 47 prefectures in Japan! Just 12 more prefectures to go and I'll have accomplished it! I hope I can share some of information of wonderful places in Japan.
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