[Editor’s Accommodation Visit] Visit a small village with only 40 families, not a sightseeing spot nor a villa area. Find the spirit of camping at Motai Campsite
Motai is a small village located 20km north of Gujo Hachiman. It is a Doburoku Special Zone designated by the government. The locals love Doburoku and enjoy sake so much. It is now not a depopulation village but a banquet village!
This village has a unique culture, there is a campsite Motai Campsite which is operated as a ski resort in winter. It is a mysterious place with a natural hot spring and is actually a popular campsite with many repeaters, including natural hot springs.
This time, we are going to find out the reason why so many repeaters are coming again and again.
Enjoy your time as you like and enjoy the real pleasure of camping
It takes about 20 minutes after getting off Gifu Yamato IC of Tokai Hokuriku Expressway.
Motai Campsite is at the end of the gently curved slope running between fields and old Japanese houses up to an altitude of 850m.
Building wrote “Welcome to Motai Onsen” is the reception building.
This campsite, located deep inside the mountain, has a natural hot spring which is very rare. Day use is also welcomed from 10:00 to 17:00. If you are staying at the campsite, bathing time can be lengthened. Please contact the staff for details.
The mountain itself is a campsite. The lowest point reaches an altitude of 850m while the highest reaches 1,340m. There are also 44 auto campsites and 39 bungalows.
Half of the auto camps are equipped with outdoor power. There are also pet-welcomed campsites, so people with pets can spend time without hesitation.
A shallow water playground is equipped on the premise for small children to enjoy. Playground for free and fishing pond (300JPY each time) are also available.
According to the administrator Mr Sato, “Many animals such as serows, deer, fox, and raccoon are living around here. They appear sometimes. When they show up, many children are so happy to see them!”
If you look closely at the trees, you may find stag beetles and beetles. Even adults are so excited.
Even there is no streetlight, the starry sky is so beautiful. Some people choose here for camping because there is no electric power provided. They bring a telescope with them and enjoy observing the stars.
Cook your own food in the kitchen
There are 5 kitchens on the premise. All kitchens are equipped with water taps, tables, stoves, and furnaces.
Some regular customers bring their own Dutch oven here and cook with their outdoor goods.
Various bungalows with different sizes and types
Sizes of the bungalow are from 4.5 tatami mats to 18 tatami mats. There are houses with terraces or pet-welcomed houses. You can choose your favorite types according to your needs.
This bungalow is the newest one with an area of over 10 tatami mats with a loft. Although it is a western wooden house, it is comfortable to sleep in with sleeping bags on the tatami mats.
A campsite for children to have fun!
Motai Campsite is utilizing its quiet natural environment which you can only find in Motai. Try picking up insects on trees, searching for creatures in the river, and cooking by yourself are all so fun!
The essence of Motai Campsite is spending your time in nature actively, but not enjoying passively at an artificial place.
Mr Sato said happily, “The regular customers’ children are getting stronger year by year.” I think I understand the reason why there are many regular customers.
Nearby sightseeing spot
If you want to relax and enjoy outdoor activities in nature, we recommend a fishing spot “Fishing Motai”, which is a 5-minute drive away from the campsite.
You can catch fish such as trout and Ito, and you can also rent fishing rods, reels, and lures.
If you are looking for more activities, how about trekking at Mt Motai Eboshidake? Trekking route for beginners is about 3.5 km one way, and adult takes about one and a half hours up and one hour down. Even children can finish in 3 or 4 hours.
Although this mountain is easy to climb, beginners or first-time climbers may get lost. Please check the route at the facility before leaving!