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During tough times, and Japan has seen its fair share recently, people have a tendency to tighten their belts or stay indoors. Yet we all need to live, to exercise to have fun. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to enjoy the outdoors without parting with a lot of cash. Nature is free; you just need to get there.
Climbing/hiking
The Japanese-language magazine Peaks recently featured a number of outdoor enthusiasts (including, full disclosure, your author) sharing their favorite getaway from Tokyo for less than 20,000 yen, including transportation, stay, food and one omiyage of about 2,000yen. It can be done, to surprisingly distant areas.
Super cheap: Borrow a tent, get a night bus, climb and stay at a hut—but not in the hut. Camping fee is usually 500 yen.
A little luxury: Take the train at a decent hour (if you’re tall, buses can be cramped); or stay in the hut and lighten your load. Either way, add about 10,000 yen.
Fishing
Cheap fun with a chance of free dinner.
Super cheap: Beg, borrow, or rent some gear, take the train to a likely spot and throw that lure or jig (live bait’s too expensive) in the water. If you like to hike, hit the rivers with a fly rod. If you are not sure where to go, ask a local fishing shop and be sure to check into licenses, usually about 2,000 yen.
A little luxury: Get a bunch of friends and charter a fishing boat. It’s not too expensive per-person, and you catch more fish. Gear manufacturer, Daiwa, introductory sessions, including gear rental. Need a little help? Visit our Japan Angler at www.theangler-gpc.com.
Cycling/Mountain Biking
It’s not only the cheapest way to get around the city, but also a pretty good way to get out of town.
Super cheap: Get a serviceable, but not too fancy, bike from the classified sections of one the English magazines—there’s always something cheap. Many small bike shops also sell old bikes for less than a night out on the town. Head out along one of the rivers—the Tamagawa or Arakawa out of Tokyo are good choices—it’s not single track, but there are some fun paths you can follow until the mountains come into view. The sight of the mountains may motivate you too.
A little luxury: Upgrade to a mountain bike if you have one. If not, borrow or rent. There are lots of dirt roads and trails outside of the big cities; find a friendly pension in a ski resort town (they’re hungry for business in summer), and establish a base for your no-cost expeditions. Think 5,000 yen/night or even less. If you want to go bigger, hire a guide or check out one of the downhill or cross-country courses at the resorts.
Trail running
I sometimes shake my head at my minimalist friends in the mountains—especially as they shiver through the fog and rain. However, the skimpy clothes and mini-packs make trail running an economical activity. Good shoes are the biggest investment.
Super cheap: A train out of the city will get you in the mountains in no time. Think of the Takatsuki area in Osaka, Okutama in Tokyo or even Kamakura. Do a little digging, and you may even find some trails without hardly leaving town.
A little luxury: Or at least more social…splurge on an entry fee for one of the many trail running races (check out the Outdoor Japan Online calendar) and meet some like-minded people who may turn into new running buddies.
Stand-up Paddling (SUP)
If you’ve wanted to try this traditional Hawaiian-style of riding the waves, now is the time. Living in Japan, you’re never far from the ocean, but buying, storing and transporting a board can be too much for the frugal outdoor person this summer, so you want to go super cheap and head to a place such as Ted Surf (www.paddlesurf.jp) or Oasis (www.oasis2009.jp) in Chiba where you can rent a board and paddle for the day or get a group beginner lesson for around ¥5,000.
A little luxury: Take a private lesson or stay at a cheap pension in one of the beach towns and make a weekend of it.
Camping
Cheap fun isn’t limited to the individual; families and friends can also get into the great outdoors. Check out a list of campgrounds at www.outdoorjapan.com/camping
Super cheap: Head out on the train or rent a big car or van and check out some of the cheap campgrounds in Japan. Spend some quality family time or relive those beer-fueled road trips of your youth. If you don’t have a tent, don’t worry; many campgrounds have rental gear or if you want a little luxury, some have cabins for rent with more civilized amenities, even activities you can enjoy. Either way, it’s a cheap way to have a lot of fun.
WWOOF/Volunteering
If you feel like you need to get your hands in the earth and live organically or want to get out there and make a difference, there are some great choices.
Super cheap: Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) organization can put your able hands and farmers together. You don’t get paid, but you get lodging, food and most likely a few beverages with your hosts. The membership is just 5,500 yen. You then choose where you want to go and what is available. Check out their Web site for details at www.wwoofjapan.com.
Super cheap: Now more than ever there are opportunities to volunteer and help your fellow citizens in Japan. See the story in this issue about summer volunteering opportunities with Peace Boat. It will be the most rewarding getaway you will ever have.
© 2011 Outdoor Japan Media
29 Comments
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JeffLee
Maybe best not to encourage "beer-fueled road trips," unless you're willing to spend time in a Japanese jail on drunk driving charges, not to mention putting the lives of your fellow motorists at risk.
This is worst time of year to run such an article. Most campsites have just shut down, while water activities ended a couple of months ago! Save it for March or April.
Seawolf
The newest cheapskate style to get out of town is to hit the road at night to beat the traffic and than sleep in the car, there are even books about it! Guess when you are used to sleep on a mattress 2 cm thick on the floor, reclined car seats feel actually comfortable to these persons.
Foxie
The best things in life are free. Swimming in the ocean or lake is missing. I camp at the beach, it is free. Fishing is not that cheap, you need to buy lots of hooks and baits and rods for different kinds of fish. We charter the little fishing boat for Yen 4,000 pp for 6 hours. SUP is the new infection in our oceans, they just get always in your way - please someone ban this pest. Surfing is much more fun.
ReformedBasher
Have slept in the car at ski resorts prior to hiking the next day. A bit cold but I hate setting up the tent unless I really have to.
@Foxie Better SUP than jet skis. If people want to ride the damn things, please go far, far away. (Don't surf but like to kayak)
rollthedice
I don't think you need a guide to climb in the alps. I successfully climbed Japan's 5 highest peaks this past season and although a bit tough they are not overly technical. I often drive up on Friday night, sleep in the car and then climb up Saturday and descend on Sunday. Staying in a mountain hut is a bit expensive (7 to 8 thousand yen including dinner and breakfast) and quite crowded, bring earplugs or you won't be able to sleep due to snoring! On the other hand your climb is going to be at least twice as hard carrying up a tent, sleeping bag and mat, stove, food ect.. For experienced hikers I highly recommend Shirouma-dake near Hakuba and Tsurugi-dake in Toyama. Also Yarigatake and Hotakadake in Kamikochi.
ReformedBasher
@zichi I think it's a judgement call for the most part but I applaud your committment to safety.
MaboDofuIsSpicy
You can also camp on river banks, but often toilets are far away. You must always be diligent about flash floods.
ReformedBasher
@rollthedice and anybody interested.
Some of the harder to get to huts at Yatsu have very few guests if any in Winter. And the ones that are there are usually interesting if you know what I mean.
Let's not forget the lesser-boastworthy ranges which I much prefer to be honest. Less people all round.
Nessie
Foxie, marry me! There's nothing like hiking to an alpine lake and swimming to the other side. I never understand why no-one swims in these gorgeous, pristine lakes. "It's dirty". Dirtier than sweating your way up a mountain? I think not.
Good ideas for the rest of the activities.
Also, unless you're actually on hardcore trails, you really don't need a full-on mountain bike with suspension and knobby tires. You just need a sturdy bike with mid-width tires and a good gear ratio. With Google Maps, you can even reconnoitre the route from outer space.
timeon
fishing is not exactly cheap, but you can buy cheap gear (and get really pissed when you miss a big one). good places for fishing are not really accessible by train, but you can have some fun in Odaiba (try suzuki at night or haze during day), or Enoshima (the season for ishimochi started!). Izu is much better, but far (karei is also season)
for camping, avoid popular places in weekends (especially near Mt. Fuji, Yamanaka-ko, beaches), you will be 10 cm from your neighbor. We found some great places in Gunma (3-4 hours drive), very large, quiet, lost in some woods. You can go to the river bank, especially if you enjoy fishing, but these are not very comfortable for camping.
anyways, ski season is starting, fork some cash and have fun!
JeffLee
" I never understand why no-one swims in these gorgeous, pristine lakes. "
Because lakes normally don't have shallow ends. Every Japanese pool I've been to is all shallow, and the general public seems to be frightened of deep water.
Nessie
Good point Jeff. There's only two depths for most Japanese: Hotel kiddie pool, and unswimmable. I don't understand the terror of swimming out of your depth.
Foxie
Nessie, send me a pic then I will decide if I marry you...Actually, last summer I went snorkelling in the lake because there was a sign there that said it was forbidden to swim there. When the ojiiisan came to tell me that I wasn't allowed to swim there, I told him that I wasn't swimming but snorkelling. He didn't know what to say and just went away.
I think people are afraid of Nessie monsters and many can't swim, I have rescued many over the years.
Rockclimbing is also cheap, the rope is a bit expensive but I have been using mine for many years.
Yes ski season is starting and with that overpriced ski lifts etc. I bought myself some cross country skies, last year's model with binding, shoes and stocks for a mere Yen 2,000 - yes, you heard right, I couldn't believe that price either, brand new and from a major sports shop. Now me and him, we make our own course through the forest - we can actually go there on our skies directly from the house - and we take some picnic too.
ReformedBasher
@zichi
As far as I know, that depends on the prefecture. I'm not certain about this and hope not to find out.
My friends and I camped up in Nishi-Hodaka once, complete whiteout for days. We were fine but digging out way back to the ski-lift was "fun". Some poor guy in Kamikochi died. Not sure why. Apparently some others called for a heli on their mobile and there was some fuss about the bill. I heard they were very unpopular because they were not in a state where they need rescuing at the time but I was not there and don't know how true this is.
ReformedBasher
@Foxie,
Cross country is cool, isn't it? I prefer snowshoes myself though for going uphill. Love walking through a forest when nobody else is around (except the occasional wildlife which is always a bonus unless it decides it does not like you :-) )
uzneko
some great volunteering organizations that often get overlooked since they are animal oriented, but still desperately need people:
Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue Services (JEARS) - located in Tokushima, Niigata and Fukushima http://jears.org/ Japan Cat Network (JCN) - located in Hikone http://www.japancatnet.com/ (is part of JEARS but mentioning seperately since they are closer for you Tokyoites) Animal Refuge Kansai (ARK) - located near Tokyo http://www.arkbark.net/?q=ja/
All 3 offer free lodging, can sometimes help with travel expenses, and are amazing experiences. I have personally helped with JEARS / JCN and can honestly say that they changed my life, so much so that at the end of my teaching contract I will begin working for them full time as a volunteer, no pay, but so worth it.
ReformedBasher
@zichi
Agree Kamikochi is nice. A few too many people depending on the time of year. Enjoyed snowshoeing there in Winter - we walked through the tunnel, a little weird in a good way.
ReformedBasher
@uzneko Thanks for the links. Good luck!
NuckinFutz
In Aomori Prefecture there are hundreds of opportunities to get out cheap! Not only do I commute to work (40km a day round trip) on a touring bike when the weather is tolerable, but my summer vacation started in Hakodate and ended at Cape Soya, Hokkaido and didn't involve a drop of gasoline (biked it all the way!) Mountain huts in the Hakkoda mountain range are FREE and winter doesn't stop me, I just put on snowshoes and a little extra clothes. I am really amazed at the age and fitness level of those I meet in the "backcountry". I'm 50 and constantly motivated when guys in their 70's and even 80's pass me UPHILL on thier skis!
NuckinFutz
And for all those Japanese who are afraid to jump in a mountain lake because the water is deeper than your bathtub I invite you to scuba dive Lake Towada with me ... in the summer when its dark and freezing at 100 feet! We've even dived from kayaks near where the lake drops to 300 meters (third deepest in Japan!) and the rush of knowing you're hanging over an abyss really gets the blood pumping! And of course we do it safely, I've been diving for over 30 years and teaching divers for 15. Get out and enjoy life!
Foxie
That abyss sounds great, I love diving around them too and seeing the blue emptiness. Never tried it in a lake though, would love to do that with you. I also love those 5 ponds around lake Towada and the amzing variety of mushrooms you can find there. Japan is really blessed with great nature and you can have it all by yourself mostly. Thanks God for shopping malls. It takes me 1 minute to go to the forest and 15 to the beach.