Tochikawakogen Camping Ground

My girlfriend and I had just returned from a 4-night backpack through the streams and mountains of the Uonogawa River area. It was getting later in the day by the time we had made it to Kiriake Onsen and we had made no reservations. We called a couple of onsen/ryokan establishments but since it was late, Monday, or other strange reasons nobody could even offer us a bath. Then we spotted this this campground on Google Maps and they accepted our request to take a bath and camp on their property.

My first impression of the place was that it seemed a little bit out of use and unorganized. But the closer I looked, the more charms and signs of humanity I saw. The okaasan (who we had spoken to on the phone) greeted us with a sincere, hospitable, but no nonsense greeting. The otoosan was busy with chores but was extremely friendly and eager to share stories about the area. His eyes really sparkled when I mentioned fishing. He said that he once caught 100 fish in one day. Maybe true, maybe not, but a good story none the less. Together the couple made a special pair.

Their dining room was very charming with interesting photos and a small bar, but they were not serving meals that evening. They were kind and sold us some soba, cabbage, and onion from their personal kitchen and we cooked our own simple meal at our camp. The otoosan came by and lit a fire for us while we cooked and told us more stories, what host!

Their bath is certified onsen water and was piping hot! Too hot for my western threshold, but we could still enjoy it with the help of the cold water faucet. The bath was in their house. To enter it we had to walk by the family eating dinner with the television in their living room. It felt like home to me.

The camp area has a great view of the stars at night and faces a dramatic mountain that catches the sun's rays first thing in the morning.

I really fell in love with this place and the genuinely happy people that run it. I really hope to return any time of the year to camp, climb and go fishing.

2023,9月、7年ぶりにツーリングで再訪。
津南の街から約30km。お世辞にもアクセスがいいとは言えませんが、秘境の空気感たっぷりの素晴らしいキャンプ場。電波は大手だとソフトバンク以外ダメな感じ。
林間サイト1000円、オートサイト1500円。お風呂は周辺の温泉へ走るも良し、ヒュッテひだまりにもあります。
明かりの点く炊事場も完備されているためのんびり楽しめますよ。晴れれば夜は天の川までくっきり見える満天の星空✨

2020/2021年の7月末に宿泊。一応電話予約して行った。
どちらも4-5組しかおらず非常に空いている。
設備は流し台兼炊事場とトイレがあるくらいだけど涼しくてよい。
テントサイトとオートキャンプサイトがあって、後者は直火可。
何も言われないので、チェックアウト時間は設定されてないっぽい。

静かの中トンボがいっぱいにいました。

独占でした。夜は獣が来るからと電気をつけっぱなしにし、酒の肴をサービスで持って来てくれました。夜なのにでかい鳥が頭上をいったりきたりして食料を狙ってくるのには閉口した。ワイルドです。

以前は鳥甲山とか見えてよかったけど今は荒れ放題
もうやってない？温泉があった管理棟もなくなったし

車でも大変な場所ですがいいキャンプ場でした。夜は本当に星がキレイだった。また行きたいです❗

(ゝω∂)