Camping spots

[jasper]

Does anybody know of good quiet spots for camping in the greater Kanto area -like along riverbanks in the mountains - but not in crowded camp-jo like refugee camps? Used to know lots of places 10 years ago and now that I've started again I find everybody and his uncle seems to know about all the spots I thought I had discovered.

Thanks

[GomiGirl]

I posted this before but you may not have see it.

Try the Tourist office in Yurakucho - near the station and Bic Camera (old Sogo Deptartment store).

There is information for absolutely everything you could want to do and see in Japan. Staff speak English and are very helpful. Most of the literature is in English too.

I have spent the last few weekends at Mt Mitake - white water "tubing" on the river just below the dam. Heaps of fun and the local Kayak club think we are mad for only using plastic tubes instead of all the gear to hit the "rapids" - I use that term loosely as it is just slightly faster than the sento after a sumo has entered.

But it has been a blast and it is just an hour and a half out of Tokyo but feels like 100's of miles away. Breath-taking scenery, huge imposing mountains..

I don't know if you can camp out there but it is worth it as a day trip - take up a portable BBQ and sit by the river.

[jasper]

Thanks GomiGirl,

Been to Mitake-san and your right its great. Went for a drive up beyond Itsukaichi last weekend to look for an old camp spot. Whereas I had thought about two tents was pushing it at this side-of-the dirt-road-along-a-river spot - I found seven tents already there. Seems they were all from Yokota air base - long weekend for them and what. Guess the military really does know how to camp and rough it. Thinking of going to Chichibu or maybe Minakami this weekend, but thanks for the idea about tubing. Tried it once years ago and it was a blast.