Forest Camping in Japan

It’s Forest and Lake Appreciation Week in Japan, continuing until July 31st, and today I’ve been diving into all things related to forests. One of the forest activities I particularly enjoy is forest camping. There is nothing quite like going to sleep and waking up surrounded by trees. 

I’ll never forget the first time I slept in a tent in a forest. Our tent has a skylight with a removable cover, and that night we took the cover off and slept beneath the netting, looking straight up at the tall, mature trees overhead. Lying there, with the forest rising above us, I felt for the first time just how deeply therapeutic a forest can be.

Forest campsites offer a refreshing escape from busy routines. Wild camping is often forbidden in many areas, but thankfully Japan’s recreation forests usually include well‑maintained camping zones with flat tent sites, cooking spaces, and access to streams or short walking trails. Staying overnight lets you experience the forest in a completely different way and amplifies all the wonderful health benefits forests provide.