[Lakeside Quiet Free]- Lake Iwaonai Shirakaba Campground
You long to spend a relaxing camping trip by a quiet lakeside, don’t you? The best campground for you is lake Iwaonai Shirakaba Campground in Hokkaido. It is a must-see campground for those traveling in Hokkaido, so don’t miss out on the information! (For more information, please visit ↓)
- About Lake Iwaonai Shirakaba Campground
- Lake Iwaonai Campground Location and Directions
- Facilities at Lake Iwaonai Shirakaba Campground
- One point of advice before going to Lake Iwaonai Campground! and recommendations for places to visit
About Lake Iwaonai Shirakaba Campground
I think it is a dream of all campers to spend a relaxing time camping by a quiet lakeside, and the Lake Iwaonai Shirakaba Campground introduced here is the place where you can spend such a dreamy time.
Before I introduce you to this campground, I would like to ask you first, what do you look for when camping?
We go camping after researching campgrounds based on various factors such as price, scenery, site type, distance, etc. Some campgrounds may be too far away or too expensive. Some of them are too far away or too expensive, so we have to make some compromises to find the best campsites.
The Lake Iwaonai Shirakaba Campground introduced here is, in conclusion, the best campground for those traveling in Hokkaido.
There are many reasons for this, but I will first explain in detail what I consider to be the most important: the types of campgrounds, their management systems, and prices.
Types of campgrounds, fees, and management structureLake Iwaonai Campground is a city-run campground, and to our surprise, there is no charge for use!
Although free of charge, there are cooking facilities, flush toilets, coin-operated showers, and coin-operated laundry facilities, and caretakers are available until late in the evening, depending on the time of year when the campground is open.
As for the type of campground, all sites are free, and you are free to pitch your tent anywhere except in areas where camping is prohibited!
There is a dedicated parking lot, but you can also drive into the site and park next to your tent! Sites along the lakeside are popular, but there is also a campground on the hill side that is less popular, so it is suitable for those who want a quieter camping experience.
Because of the cold climate of Hokkaido, the campground is only open from May to September, but it is a wonderful place to camp with a view of the lakeside, so it is highly recommended that you visit at least once.
The official website of Lake Iwaonai Shirakaba Campground is here←←.(in Japanese)
Lake Iwaonai Campground Location and Directions
Lake Iwaonai Campground is located at Lake Iwaonai in Shibetsu City, Hokkaido. Lake Iwaonai is located north of the center of Hokkaido, and it is quite far from Sapporo and Shin-Chitose.
The shortest route from Sapporo is to Asahikawa. From Asahikawa, head north to Aibetsu Town and continue driving on Highway 101 to the north, where you will find Iwaonai Lake.
The time required is approximately 3 to 3.5 hours with highway and rest stop. Without the highway, it takes about 4 to 4.5 hours.
The author recommends that you take the highway to Asahikawa and then take the down road from there. Shibetsu City is also close, but it is a long way from there, but it is possible to stop at a hot spring or other hot springs on the return route.
Please note that it is not open during the winter season! In winter, Hokkaido’s snowy roads can be quite dangerous to drive long distances, so it is best to go outside of winter! I went in May, which was not yet high season, so it was a good time to go!
When you arrive at the campground, first of all, take a place! There is no reception as it is a free campground. There is also an administration building, but it is only manned until the evening and manages the sales of goods and paid services (showers, washing machines, etc.), so there is no need to check in (in 2023).
Please note, however, that camping is not allowed in the BBQ place!
Facilities at Lake Iwaonai Shirakaba Campground
Restrooms are located in the administration building. They are flush toilets and quite clean. I think this quality is a very good point for a free campground! There are also showers in the administration building, but please note that they are only available during certain times of the day and only when the caretaker is present.
Vending machines are of course available, so if you suddenly get thirsty at night, no problem!
There are also cooking facilities and a charcoal dumping site. You cannot cook in the cooking area, but there is running water and a roof, so it is safe even when it rains!
One point of advice before going to Lake Iwaonai Campground! and recommendations for places to visit
The first thing you should know before visiting Iwaonai-ko Campground is that wild bears frequently appear in Hokkaido due to its geography. Unlike bears in Honshu, bears in Hokkaido are brown bears and are said to be belligerent.
Remember that if you don’t follow the rules, such as keeping food away from bears and not littering, you will be a nuisance to the campers around you.
Also, you will have to drive quite a distance, so if you are not used to driving, please consider a different location.
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