Camping in Japan?

Hi everybody.
I am currently planning a trip to the Land Of The Rising Sun, and was hoping someone could give me an idea of how much its likely to cost me (as a rough guide of course). The basic details of my trip so far is that i want to walk/hike from Nagasaki heading north to Sapporo which i figure at an average pace of 3mph and a few days spent in cities along the way (of which i can't remember how many at this point as i don't have my list, DOH!), should take me roughly 4 months. Main form of accommodation will be camping, and i realise its illegal to camp outside of specific sites but short of a miracle i figure there may be times when this will ''unavoidable'' shall we say. I have made an estimate myself of between £4000 and £6000 for the trip, and what i am wondering after this whole essay (for which i apologise) is, has anybody done anything similar and/or can anybody provide any helpful info.

Mitch

have you read 'hokkaido highway blues' or the 'roads to sata'?

I haven't read the two books mentioned above, would be interested to hear about some people's experiences with this too.

Mitch, just wanted to mention a tourist visa is typically 90 days, though this will depend on nationality. Will you have something else, like working holiday?

Yes, I would second the reading of The Roads to Sata:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roads-Sata-2000-mile-Through-Library/dp/014009...

or your local library maight be able to get a copy.

You should also watch Kintaro Walks Japan:

http://kintarowalksjapan.com/

Also, I think you'll find the maximum stay for a UK citizen in Japan is restricted to 90 days.


There is a link on the page to watch the whole film online.

Guest, i havn't read those books,i have ordered ''the hitchhikers guide to Japan'' which has some good reviews but will look at finding those you mentioned now also.
Jaeten and RobBeer, this is something which is causing me concern as there are many sites saying that as a tourist from the UK i am allowed up to 180 days travel within Japan. Obviously I don't wish to arrive in Japan only to be told this isn't the case so i am currently trying to source a contact address for the Japanese Embassey so i can get the correct information. 90 Days travel still wouldn't be terrible, would just mean this traveller would be walking slightly quicker than previously planned eh?
Jaeten I noticed in your profile you have been to various places in Japan, are you able to give me an idea on how easy it is to find campsites (just a general idea as i realise it will vary between cities) as this is my main concern as I woud rather not get caught camping illegally and arrested.

Hi Mitch
Hope these sites are useful.
Swedish guy who recently walked the length of Japan:
http://sata-soya.com/index.php
New Zealand guy who did the same a few years ago:
http://onemanwalking.com/

hi Mitch, I'm guessing this is one of the sites you saw:

http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/en/visa/visa-uk_irl.html

It does look like UK citizens can apply for an additional 90 days once inside Japan, and hopefully they'll approve it. It'll definitely be good to get the official word from a consulate though. They can give you more specifics on how many funds you might need to show you have, to get approval.

As for camping, I'm sorry to say I've never been, ever! The places I've visited have been mostly day trips out of Tokyo, where I lived for a few years. Sorry I can't help with campsite info, but let me know anytime if you need info on those (relatively few) places I've been. good luck!

I have travelled extensively throughout Japan from Asahikawa down to Kagoshima and can't say I have ever seen a camp site, but then again I have only ever seen one herd of cows in some 15 trips.

Can I assume from your comments that you haven't researched Japanese campsites? If so, start with this link:

http://gojapan.about.com/cs/sports/a/camping.htm

I think the biggest problem is not so much finding campsites as finding campsites along the route you plan to take and within a day's walk of each other.

Walking fool - Thank you for those site links. They were very helpful and inspiring.
Jaeten - Yes that is one of the sites I have read. and definitely worth me trying to get word from the consulate I think, especially about funds on entry, good shout on that one. I may pick your brains at some stage in the future when I need some info.
RobBeer - I did spend a while looking through that site yet somehow didn't manage to come across that article, thank you very much, and yes that is the biggest issue for me is finding places inbetween cities, i'm sure i'll find something though. I beleive that some of the trip should be left unplanned anyway, I think it all adds to the adventure :D
Thank you folks for all the help. It has definitely given me a lot more to get thinking about and to get sorted.

...in Hokkaido. As you move further south the campsite become fewer and fewer, and also more expensive. Camping in Hokkaido is usually free and at most 500 per night per person.