We introduce the Rokuzayazaki-hama Auto Camping Site, a campground located along Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture. Auto campsites recommended for first-time snow camping with your dog! When you hear about snow camping, do you have to go through mountain roads to get there?
I am not confident in driving on snow-covered roads… The surrounding mountains may make it difficult to call for help in case of trouble. I think that many campers who are going to try snow camping for the first time are anxious about it. Campers who are about to try snow camping for the first time may have a lot of anxiety. But don’t worry.
The Shiga Prefecture Campsite introduced here is located along Lake Biwa on a flatland, adjacent to a quiet residential area and a separate site, and has a caretaker. Auto campsites recommended for first-time snow camping with your dog! When you hear about snow camping, do you have to go through mountain roads to get there? I am not confident in driving on snow-covered roads…
The surrounding mountains may make it difficult to call for help in case of trouble. I think that many campers who are going to try snow camping for the first time are anxious about it. Campers who are about to try snow camping for the first time may have a lot of anxiety. But don’t worry. The Shiga Prefecture Campsite introduced here is located along Lake Biwa on a flatland, adjacent to a quiet residential area and a separate site, and has a caretaker.
Another great point is that there is a pet-friendly area! Take this opportunity to enjoy your snow camping debut!
- Basic Data
- Access to the campground
- What are the facilities such as cooking buildings, toilets, garbage disposal, etc.?
- Site Guide
- Recommended set-up points
- It’s time to camp in the snow! Preparation work before setting up
- Summary
Information
On the first day of each month, reservations can be made for the month three months ahead, and weekends during the high season from April to November are often competitive as reservations tend to fill up. Reservations for sites start at 9:00 a.m., so those wishing to camp during the high season should stand by in advance.
Winter camping from December to March is the best time to camp, as reservations are relatively easy to get! Especially from late January to around March every year, there is usually snow on the ground and you can enjoy camping in the snow.
▼ Day Camping
Available hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
High school students and older: 500 yen
Elementary and junior high school students: 300 yen
Elementary school students and younger: free
Pets: 500 yen
▼ Overnight Camping
Check-in: 12:00 pm (Early check-in: 9:00 pm)
Check-out: 9:00 pm to 3:00 pm* until 12:00 pm during peak season
Available hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
▼Parking fee (per use)
Motorcycles, bicycles, and general vehicles: 1,000 yen
Large vehicles: 2,000 yen *including camping cars
Others
・Charcoal: 700 yen
・Wood 1 bundle: 800 yen *No open fire
・Stamp card:
→Will expire indefinitely. 1 stamp per use. 1,000 yen cash when 5 stamps are collected.1,000 yen cash back for every 5 stamps! Camping fee for one adult is waived.
(Note: Day campers are not eligible for the stamp.
▼ Facilities
・Control building: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
・Cooking area: 1
・Toilets: 1 permanent and 2 temporary
・Litter dumping area: 1
・Ashes and charcoal dumping area: 1<a32> ・Shops and vending machines: No
In the case of a family of four staying in a tent* with two elementary school children
1,000 yen + 1,000 yen + 600 yen + 600 yen + 1,000 yen = 4,200 yen for 2 days and 1 night camping!
It is a great point that the tent and tarp fee is free!
Access to the campground
It takes less than two hours from Osaka City! Along Prefectural Route 335, you will see a sign with the name of the campground written in large letters. If you are coming from the direction of Osaka, it will be on the right side, so it is easy to find even if it is your first time.
It takes less than 2 hours from the Nagoya area and is easily accessible from all areas.
The famous rows of metasequoia trees are also only a 20-minute drive away. It is nice to stop along the way and enjoy the tree-lined avenue, which is different from the view of Lake Biwa.
What facilities are available, such as cooking facilities, toilets, garbage disposal, etc.?
There is one cooking area. There are eight water taps, and both work spaces are relatively spacious.
The water that flows from the tap is “water from Lake Biwa. Since the water is drinkable as it is, it saves you the trouble and expense of preparing water for cooking and rehydration, and in winter, you can leave it out to avoid freezing!
In winter, you can leave the water dispenser out because of the risk of freezing, so you can use clean water all year round without worrying!
There are three restrooms in total.
There are two permanent toilets near the cooking area, both private rooms and hand washing stations. They are Japanese-style (not flush).The private rooms are clean, but you may inevitably feel a lot of insects in the summer. The rooms are comfortable during the winter season. Toilet paper is generously placed.
There are six private rooms in the temporary restrooms near the entrance. All are Japanese style (no flush).
The temporary toilets near the cooking area have two private rooms. These are western style! However, because it is a bio-toilet, the number of users is restricted, and the smallest of men are not allowed to use it.
Also, if there are too many users and the decomposition by microorganisms is not progressing smoothly, it will not be available at all times, but the facility is environmentally friendly.
Garbage disposal is located behind the entrance/exit control building. We put a lot of effort into sorting, and all caps and labels for plastic bottles must be separated and disposed of in the designated area. Gas cans can also be disposed of. The location is at the entrance/exit, so during off-peak periods, you can park your car nearby, sort them, and dispose of them.
*Please note that there are many cars at check-out time during peak season, and if you park near the dumping site, you may block the exit passage.
Ash and charcoal dumping areas are located near cooking and other facilities.
Site Information
Reservations are required, but it is recommended to set a time well in advance, as there may be several cars waiting in line in advance before the check-in begins.
At check-in time, the entrance will open and a caretaker will guide you to the management building to complete registration. After listening to a thorough explanation, go to the site!
There is a pet site near the entrance and exit. The site is enclosed with netting and is clearly managed. The site itself has space for about 15 cars, but may feel a bit cramped if there are more than 10 tents.
The most popular site is along Lake Biwa. Space is limited, perhaps 4-5 tents, which is plenty of room to spread out. Crows and dragonflies are common, so watch carefully, especially for small dogs.
Moving toward the back of the site, there are free sites.
There are two main types of sites: those along Lake Biwa, where you can enjoy a close view of the lake, and those where you can relax and enjoy the grass and nature.
The most popular site is the one along Lake Biwa. Along Lake Biwa near the cooking building and restrooms is also popular, but there are outside lights and the lights may bother you a little at night.
On the road side, there are few cars passing by, and the other side of the road is a villa area, so the view is extraordinary enough to give you a feeling of being in the middle of nowhere. Also, the sun sets in the direction of the road side, so it is recommended for those who want to spend a relaxing time while enjoying the sunset.
Recommended set-up points
The recommended set-up point is on the side of Lake Biwa, beyond the cooking building and restrooms.
After all, when camping on Lake Biwa, you want to enjoy the sights and sounds of the lake! Although it is a little far from the entrance, you can enjoy a luxurious view of Lake Biwa as if you have the lake all to yourself.
In winter, you will need to go to the restroom more often, so it is important to be close to the restroom.
If you are too close, you may be bothered by the sound of footsteps of people using the restrooms or the lights of outside lamps, but if you are a little further away along Lake Biwa, the sound of the lake will drown out the noise and you will not be bothered by the outside noise.
If you want to enjoy camping along Lake Biwa, this is a good place to set up camp.
It’s time to camp in the snow! Preparation work before setting up
Once you have decided on a set-up point, it is time to set up your tent! What is the difference between normal camping and camping in the snow? In order to enjoy camping in the snow comfortably, some preparatory work is required before setting up.
As the name “in the snow” suggests, the site is covered with snow all around.
Set up your tent as it is, and prepare the site in advance so that the snow will not melt when you set up your tent and use the stove or heater, making the inside of your tent sloppy and soaking….
If the snowfall is only 3 cm, the sun may dry the ground even if it gets wet, but if there is more than 3 cm of snow, we recommend shoveling the snow.*Except for snow accumulation of 30 cm or more.
First, decide on a point for setting up the tent and clear away the snow from the set-up area. If you do not have a shovel at this time, please consult with the caretaker who may be able to lend you one free of charge.
Shoveling snow is very hard work, but having a good snow shovel makes a difference in how you spend your time inside your tent and the condition of the ground when you remove your tent. Get out your chairs and take a break from the work!
Once the site has been cleared, we will begin setting up the tents as usual.It is a good idea to place a tarp under the groundsheet to make it waterproof and coldproof.Blue sheets available at Konan are also waterproof and firm, and are recommended to be placed at the bottom!
When camping in heavy snowfall areas with snow accumulation of 30 cm or more, it is not necessary to shovel snow!
This is because in areas with heavy snowfall, the temperature does not rise high enough to melt the snow and make it soaked.
As a guideline for snow shoveling, you should consider whether the snow accumulation is more or less than 30 cm.
summary
We hope you enjoyed our introduction of campgrounds recommended for first-time snow campers. If you are interested in camping in the snow, but are not, we highly recommend these campgrounds. There are supermarkets and convenience stores nearby, so we recommend this campground for those who want to try snow camping casually! We hope you will enjoy a completely different view of the silver world on the shores of Lake Biwa.
By the way, please take a look at this article for an introduction to campgrounds on Lake Biwa!
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