Kanagawa Prefecture’s campsites offer a blend of mountain retreats and coastal charm. Geographically, the northwest features the Tanzawa Mountains and the Hakone volcanic zone, suitable for forest camping, while the southeast, along the Miura Peninsula and Shonan coast, hosts some seaside camping spots. Due to the prefecture’s high level of urbanization, available space for campsite development is relatively limited, meaning Kanagawa’s campsites are often designated areas within existing parks or tourist zones.
In the Tanzawa and Hakone region, several mountain campsites are located near streams or lakes. For example, Well Camp Nishi-Tanzawa (ウェルキャンプ西丹沢), situated at the northern foot of the Tanzawa Mountains, is a large-scale comprehensive campsite nestled in a mountain valley. It offers hundreds of sites for tents and RVs, along with cabin accommodations. While the facilities may not be the newest, the site excels in its primitive environment, featuring mountains, water, and access to nearby attractions like waterfalls. Due to its large size, relatively quiet spots can usually be found even during peak season. However, accessing such campsites typically requires a private vehicle, as public transport can be time-consuming. On the other hand, the Omote-Tanzawa Yagai Katsudo Center (表丹沢野外活動センター), operated by Hadano City, is a popular and affordable campsite. Located at an altitude of about 600 meters and surrounded by mountains on three sides, it offers scenic beauty and is well-managed. Campers praise its “excellent location and clean facilities, allowing one to feel nature without it being too wild,” reflecting the careful maintenance by the local government. It is reasonably accessible via bus from Hadano Station on the Odakyu Line. The Hakone area also has campsites, such as HAYATO Hakone Camp Jo (HAYATO箱根キャンプ場), near Hakone-Yumoto, known for its forest environment and nearby hot springs, achieving a 4.21 rating on Nappu. Overall, Kanagawa’s mountain campsites offer impressive natural scenery, but due to limited land resources, most are small to medium-sized and can be fully booked during holidays.
Along the Shonan and Miura Peninsula coast, campsites are relatively fewer but each possesses unique characteristics. Nagai Uminote Koen Soleil Hill (長井海の手公園 ソレイユの丘) in Yokosuka City is a prefectural park integrating amusement facilities and a farm, which includes a camping area named THE CLIFF CAMP & BBQ. This camping zone borders Tokyo Bay, offering views of the Boso Peninsula across the water. The park features French-style flower fields, a mini zoo, children’s play areas, making it highly suitable for families. Correspondingly, the camping area is designed with well-maintained water facilities (mizu-mawari – restrooms, cooking areas) to ensure comfort, particularly for beginners and families, with reviews noting that “even women can feel at ease camping, the water areas are very clean.” In Yokohama City, surprisingly, there’s the Huckleberry Field campsite on the edge of a residential area (primarily a daytime BBQ venue), just an 8-minute walk from Kawawa-cho subway station, even featuring a swimming pool, though unfortunately, it only offers daytime BBQ and not overnight camping. For actual overnight camping within Yokohama City, one needs to head to Nojima Park Camp Jo (野島公園キャンプ場). Located on Nojima Island in Yokohama’s Kanazawa Ward, it’s a rare urban seaside campsite. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, adjacent to the Nojima Park BBQ area, it features well-equipped cooking buildings and a management office. Campers can fall asleep to the sound of waves and wake up to sea and sky views from their tents. Managed under a reservation system and without large numbers of casual visitors, it remains relatively uncrowded outside of summer, fitting the description of being “close to the city yet quiet.”
Kanagawa also features some distinctive campsites, such as Ikoi no Mori / RECAMP Odawara (いこいの森 / RECAMPおだわら) in the northern mountainous area of Odawara City. This campsite was converted from an old forest school, retaining wooden bungalows for accommodation while also developing new tent areas. As a former youth outdoor center, it offers flat, spacious grounds, ample parking, and activity rooms suitable for group or corporate events. Another example is Tokaen Camp Jo (桐花園キャンプ場) near Lake Sagami, utilizing the Sagami River for camping as well as summer activities like rafting and river fishing.
In summary, Kanagawa’s campsites provide access to lush mountain environments with streams (Tanzawa, Hakone) and unique coastal settings (Yokosuka, Yokohama). Infrastructure quality varies: government or corporate-run sites (like Omote-Tanzawa Center, Soleil Hill) tend to have better facilities, while older private sites might offer more rustic charm. Accessibility is generally good, with many sites not far from urban centers (e.g., Yokohama’s Nojima, Hadano’s Omote-Tanzawa have public transport links), although deeper mountain locations may require driving. Key activities include hiking in the famous Tanzawa and Hakone areas and water sports along the coast. Prices are generally moderate to slightly high, with some public sites being very affordable, while premium coastal sites with power can be more expensive. User reviews often commend the combination of nature and convenience, with comments like “good location and well-maintained, very clean.” Given their proximity to major cities, these campsites often emphasize capacity control and order through reservation systems and patrols, ensuring safety and a quality experience.
Based on the comprehensive survey and analysis of campsites across the Tokyo metropolitan area, it is evident that the region offers a high standard of camping experiences, with many sites achieving a good balance between infrastructure and natural environment. Whether city dwellers seek a relaxing weekend camping trip or seasoned adventurers look for challenges deep in the mountains, suitable options can be found within the Tokyo area. The high user satisfaction ratings (average around 4.3/5) reflect the efforts of campsite operators in continuously improving facilities and services. However, it is also noted that some top-tier campsites experience high demand due to their reputation, making reservations difficult during peak seasons. Therefore, the following recommendations focus on campsites that balance accessibility, campfire experiences, scenic beauty, and relatively manageable crowds.