[Editor’s Accommodation Visit] Hirugano Kogen Campsite
Hirugano Kogen (Hirugano Plateau) is located about 40km north of Gujo Hachiman. The temperature here is the lowest in Gujo, and the average maximum temperature in August is 27 degrees. The temperature of many days drops below 18 degrees in the morning and evening. It is a popular summer resort with many villas.
This time we are visiting Hirugano Kogen Campsite, which has a long history of 50 years, in the forest.
A huge forest campsite with a total area of 15ha
It takes 8 minutes to drive from Hirugano Kogen IC by car to get to Hirugano Kogen Campsite, which is located at the entrance of Hirugano area.
The area of this campsite is about 15 hectares = about 150,000 sq m. It is actually a forest rather than a campsite.
As each campsite does not have a number to specify the location, it is very convenient for campers.
You can check-in at the administration building and choose where you want to start camping while walking on your own. Of course, you can also drive around too.
A campsite made according to the preference of campers
When you walk along the walking path while deciding where to put up your tent, you can see trees are well maintained and the sunlight is moderate in this 100-year-old forest. It is so comfortable.
After setting up a tent under the shade of trees, you can see our guests are drinking coffee and chatting relaxingly.
There are no lines drawn exactly for every section, all sites make the best use of the terrain, so you can spend a relaxing time. Trees block the sight of your neighbors. You can only have this experience in the forest.
A large number of guests are so into creating sites. The owners of tents and tarps in the photo are using imported goods from South Korea, making their own room outdoor. I am so excited just to look at it.
The ground of the site is solidified with soil, so it seems easy to peg (Stakes that fix the tent) when setting up the tent. Since direct fire is allowed, you can enjoy a bonfire, a real pleasure of camping. Talking with each other while surrounding the fire is really nice.
Riverbank is recommended for setting up a tent
As the area is so huge, you may be confused about where to put your tent.
According to the manager, “People who care about convenience should go near the water or toilet, and those who want to stay quietly should go to the back where people do not often pass.”
We recommend along Toyagawa River running through the venue. With the sound of the river as your BGM, you can spend your time away from the busy daily life.
There are many shallow rivers, so it is safe for children to play. Putting your feet in the water of the river and feeling the flow of the river, is very fun. It can be a nice memory for children. It is an important step to becoming a nature lover when they grow up.
Bungalows and cottages for large groups
Other than an auto campsite, there are 8 bungalows, cottages, and mountain lodges that welcome those who are not familiar with staying in a tent. One building can accommodate up to 5 to 10 people, so it is recommended for large groups.
This is a wooden bungalow near the management office. There are 3 types of houses of sizes with 6 tatami mats (capacity 5 people), 8 tatami mats (capacity 6 people), and 10 tatami mats (capacity 10 people). House in the picture is 8 tatami mats for 6 people.
Bungalow type requires you to bring your own bedding. As flooring is using a tatami mat, please bring your own sleeping bag for sleeping. Showers, toilets, kitchens, etc. are shared with the tent site.
It is a Japanese-style room with 8 tatami mats in a two-story cottage.
A bathroom and a toilet, as well as bedding (Mattresses, pillows, blankets) and hot air heaters, are all equipped. Even those who are not familiar with the outdoors can stay comfortably.
There is also a BBQ terrace outside for you to enjoy your dinner in a private space.
Shower and laundry equipped
There are 5 kitchens in the campground in total. U-shaped water paths and water services for BBQ are equipped. Iron plates, hot pots, and mess tins are also available for rental.
Coin shower room and laundry are here.
There are 2 shower rooms and 1 coin-operated laundry opening 24 hours a day.
Immediately outside the campsite, Lodge Horahira (Limited time and a number of people) from the same company is operating a hot spring facility nearby, so if you want to take a relaxing bath, we recommend them.
Toilet with bidet, which is rare in campsites, is installed here.
Also, when online reservations are so common nowadays, they only accept reservations by phone.
The reason is they would like to talk directly with the customer, tell them the precautions and requests in advance, and use them to feel comfortable. Therefore, their phone is always crowded. Many customers say, “You cannot go anywhere else after coming here for once!”
Landscape, location, facilities, and environment are all of the high standards while the prices are reasonable.
It is a campsite which impresses us so much. You can feel the hospitality of the owner who wants all his guests to enjoy camping comfortably.
A flood of telephone calls is coming every year on the reservation start date of the season.
Every year, reservations will be accepted in two periods of time, April 1st (Reservation from April to June) and June 1st (Reservation from July to the end of October). If you are thinking about going camping, it is better to plan early.