A lot of Japanese people are travelling around Japan with a car and free camping.
In general, you can not camp but often it is OK to camp at night without being seen. So it is a matter of common sense.
We have Michino Eki (a road station) which is 24 hour open with toilet, so there are many people sleeping inside a car. But camping is rare. Some Michino Eki come with hot spring and restaurant and shops.
Commercial camping site is very expensive such as 5000 yen, so no one really uses. If I will camp, I would go for up to 1000 yen or less. Otherwise, I will look for cheaper option.
Climbers know usually where to stay free or cheaply, but only for climbing, we don't know much about sight seeing...since we are not so interested, so we just go wherever we can just see.
Commercial camping site is very expensive such as 5000 yen, so no one really uses. If I will camp, I would go for up to 1000 yen or less. Otherwise, I will look for cheaper option.
Climbers know usually where to stay free or cheaply, but only for climbing, we don't know much about sight seeing...since we are not so interested, so we just go wherever we can just see.
Rental car
The rental car is about same as in the U.S and the highway is not free, gas is about 140 yen /L.
I paid 30000 yen for gas and toll from Fukuoka to Nagano last year. One way, one night stay, driving two days full time.
This is so expensive for a one person to travel, since I can fly from Fukuoka to Osaka by Jet star under 5000 yen. Or using Shinkansen, about 15000yen. Using night bus 3900 yen.
So road trip can be only justified if you sleep for free.
Road trip camp suggestions
We have...
Road trip camp suggestions
We have...
1147 Michi no Eki(road station)
911 Service Station (high way rest)
370 Parking lot that lets you stay
127 You yu park( hot spring, 2000 yen)
110 RV park
according to this site. http://pcam.mobi/
911 Service Station (high way rest)
370 Parking lot that lets you stay
127 You yu park( hot spring, 2000 yen)
110 RV park
according to this site. http://pcam.mobi/
These are basically assuming you are sleeping in the car. So if you want to put tent outside the car, you need to look into each page to see if it allow you to do it.
Free Camp site
https://camp.tabinchuya.com/
This sites lists free camp site in Kyusu. So camping free is possible. you would need a good planning.
This sites lists free camp site in Kyusu. So camping free is possible. you would need a good planning.
Couch surf
This is a option for fewer number of people, like travelling one or two. Japanese hosts are not many, 5000 hosts. Japanese housing situation are not so good so you can not expect city people to offer you a room where a family can stay, but in the countryside, you might find a host with large room.