In recent years, glamping has become one of the most popular travel trends in Japan and abroad.
It has drawn attention as a form of outdoor resort stay that you can enjoy without bringing camping gear, much like staying at a hotel or ryokan.
Many people picture glamping as a summer BBQ under blue skies by the sea, but winter is also a great time for it.
This guide introduces five glamping facilities that generally meet the following conditions.
・Can generally accommodate six or more guests
・Have Japanese-style rooms or hot springs
・Offer meal options beyond BBQ
・Offer an outdoor atmosphere
It also explains why winter is a good season for glamping.
Why Glamping Is a Good Choice in Winter
Glamping combines the words “glamorous” and “camping.” It offers an easy way to enjoy the outdoors in luxurious, hotel-like facilities, and is also popular with those new to outdoor activities.
There are five main reasons to try glamping in winter.
Fewer Crowds and Fewer Insects
Glamping is closely associated with BBQ.
Perhaps because many people think of BBQ as a summer activity, there are generally fewer guests in winter than in summer.
This makes winter especially suitable for those who want to relax in a private space with someone special.
Insects are also far less common in winter than in other seasons, making glamping more comfortable for those who dislike them.
Food Feels Even More Satisfying in the Cold
BBQ in the open air is a summer pleasure, but sharing a hot meal close together in the winter cold has its own appeal.
Winter air is also dry and clear, and grilling meat and vegetables over an open flame can give them a crisp exterior and juicy interior, even for those with little cooking experience.
Hot drinks such as mulled wine and cocoa are especially welcome in the cold.
Activities That Suit the Winter
Glamping activities offer many experiences that are hard to find in the city.
For example, while cities are known for their night views of illuminated buildings, glamping facilities surrounded by nature may offer a sky full of stars.
In winter in particular, low humidity and clear air can make the stars look sharper than in summer.
You can relax under the stars or talk with someone special while warming up around a campfire.
Camp activities such as roasting marshmallows and sweet potatoes over the fire are also part of the fun of winter glamping.
Suitable for Large Groups, Often at Better Prices
Have you ever had trouble finding a hotel for a large group of friends or two generations of family?
This is a common issue for larger groups.
Spacious rooms are one of the main appeals of glamping facilities.
Many offer rooms of 100 square meters or more, which is equivalent to about 61 tatami mats.
A suite of the same size at an international luxury hotel can often cost more than 300,000 yen.
Hotels also limit the number of guests per room.
Luxury villas at glamping facilities can also be expensive, but winter is the off-season, so you may find better rates during special campaigns.
Many glamping facilities also charge by the room or building, so the cost per person falls as the group gets larger.
A Growing Range of Ryokan-Like Glamping Facilities
Glamping is often associated with BBQ.
However, more and more facilities now serve shabu-shabu and creative cuisine indoors.
Beyond dome tents and cottages, some facilities also offer Japanese-style rooms with tatami and open-air baths with natural hot springs.
This makes glamping a good option even for those who want hot springs and in-room dining on a winter trip and would normally choose a ryokan.
5 Recommended Glamping Facilities in Kansai
The following are recommended glamping facilities in the Kansai region, selected mainly according to four conditions.
・Can generally accommodate six or more guests
・Have Japanese-style rooms or hot springs
・Offer meal options beyond BBQ
・Offer an outdoor atmosphere
Use this list when planning a winter trip.
Awaji Island, Hyogo: Private Villa Glamping Awaji
Private Villa Glamping Awaji is a luxury villa property on high ground overlooking Osaka Bay, with space for up to six guests.
Every room has a pool with an ocean view, and the changing colors of the sky from evening into night are especially beautiful.
Villas with a fire pit create a romantic atmosphere as night falls, and you can enjoy mulled wine or warm sake with someone special.
Rooms have a large BBQ area, a kitchen, and a Japanese-style room, making them suitable for those who want a spacious stay or tatami.
The hot spring is completely private and available 24 hours a day, so you can soak and relax after a day of travel.
Meal options include BBQ with Awaji beef and Awaji pork, as well as in-room dining such as Awaji beef sukiyaki and, for a limited time, Awajishima three-year tiger pufferfish.
It is a luxury glamping facility where you can enjoy the scenery and food of Awaji Island in winter.
What Is Awajishima Three-Year Tiger Pufferfish?
This farmed tiger pufferfish is raised in Fukura Bay in Minamiawaji City. It is farmed near the Naruto Strait, where the water is especially cold and the currents are fast, giving it firm flesh and a rich flavor. Most farmed pufferfish are shipped after two years, but these are raised for three, resulting in larger flesh and milt. The season peaks around November, and it is a well-loved winter specialty of Awaji Island.
| Private Villa Glamping Awaji Address: 2071 Otani, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture Phone: 050-3135-2324 (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) Official website (Japanese): https://www.suitevilla-awaji.com/ |
Awaji Island, Hyogo: Private Villa Awaji THE SUITE
Private Villa Awaji THE SUITE is located near Iwaya Port, the gateway to Awaji Island.
The illuminated Akashi Kaikyo Bridge stands right in front of the property, and it pairs beautifully with the lights of the on-site Hikari no Terrace BBQ area.
It can accommodate up to eight guests, with a living room and bedroom on the first floor and a room with a tatami area on the second floor. The sleeping areas can be separated, making it suitable for two-generation family trips and group travel.
The completely private hot spring is a gentle simple hot spring suitable for guests of all ages.
Meal options include a BBQ plan with Kobe beef, duck, and splendid alfonsino, as well as plans featuring Awajishima three-year tiger pufferfish and Awaji beef sukiyaki.
You can enjoy a lively BBQ on the illuminated Hikari no Terrace or savor the food of Awaji Island in your spacious room.
The choice depends on your preference.
| Private Villa Awaji THE SUITE Address: 1801-2 Iwaya, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture Phone: 050-3135-2324 (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) Official website (Japanese): https://www.villa-awaji.com/ |
Shiga: Lakeside Terrace Biwako
Metasequoia Avenue and Shirahige Shrine in Shiga Prefecture have drawn attention in recent years as scenic spots.
Lakeside Terrace Biwako is a glamping facility with convenient access to both.
It offers a variety of accommodations, including tents and cottages. Two especially recommended options are the Luxury Cottage, which accommodates six guests, and the SPA Suite, known for its hot spring.
Both have several sleeping areas, including a Japanese-style room, making them suitable for trips with relatives or friends.
The SPA Suite accommodates up to five guests, and it has a large hot spring bath and a sauna.
SPA Suite guests can also choose a local hot pot with Omi beef and Omi chicken in broth.
It combines the melt-in-your-mouth fat of Omi beef, firm Omi chicken, and vegetables that absorb the flavor of the meat and broth.
| Lakeside Terrace Biwako Address: 1533 Katsuno, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture Phone: 050-3198-5847 (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) Official website: https://en.biwako-glamping.com/ |
Amanohashidate, Kyoto: Marinetopia The Suite
Amanohashidate is located in Miyazu City, in northern Kyoto Prefecture.
Its remarkable scenery has drawn attention from visitors in Japan and abroad.
Marinetopia The Suite is surrounded by the rich natural setting of the Amanohashidate area.
It offers a variety of private villas, some with more than 100 square meters of space.
Every villa has a garden with a BBQ area and a large pool, where friends and family can spend time together while taking in the view.
All villas are supplied with silver hot spring water, and the main building has a private bath called Umi using the golden hot spring. Hot spring lovers can try both and compare the feel and aroma of the water.
The BBQ features land and sea produce such as Japanese Black wagyu beef, fresh sausages from Amanohashidate, a salad of home-grown vegetables, and live abalone.
For a relaxed meal in your room, the Crab Marché plan is served in a room with an irori hearth.
It offers a full course of fresh live crab landed in the waters off northern Kyoto, including crab sashimi, grilled crab, crab grilled in the shell, and crab hot pot.
This plan is available only from November to March and is so popular that the New Year period fills up quickly, so early reservations are recommended.
| Marinetopia The Suite Address: 4054 Hioki, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture Phone: 050-3161-4574 (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) Official website: https://en.marinetopia-suite.com/ |
Amanohashidate, Kyoto: Rurinohama
Rurinohama offers large villas in the rich natural setting of the Amanohashidate area.
All 18 villas have a hot spring, and options include villas with a sauna, a heated pool, or room for up to eight guests.
The exterior resembles a stylish vacation rental, and the villas also have Japanese-style rooms for those who want to relax on tatami.
An open-air bath in the cold winter air is a highlight of the season. The golden hot spring, which is uncommon in the Kansai region, is rich in iron and salt.
As at Marinetopia The Suite, you can choose between a BBQ plan and an in-room dining plan based on the ingredients you want to try.
| Natural Hot Springs and Private SPA Rurinohama Address: 3100-8 Hioki, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture Check-in: Rurinohama Activity Center (Crab Marché) Phone: 050-3161-4582 (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) Official website: https://en.rurinohama.com/ |
Summary
This guide explained why winter is a good season for glamping and introduced five recommended glamping facilities in the Kansai region.
・Want to stay with a large group
・Want a stay similar to a Japanese ryokan
・Want a choice of meals
・Want to experience the appeal of winter
Glamping facilities with hot springs and in-room dining are especially suitable for travelers looking for these things.
Consider one for your winter trip.
