I used to go to this campsite often when it was under previous management before being taken over by Nordisk. It was away from the city, quiet and inexpensive. Now, Nordisk has raised the rates for all of the camping facilities, including the basic 'free' tent sites, not just the "glamping" cabins. That wasn't the worst of it! When I had to cancel a tent site because of a rainstorm, I was charged a full-day rate as a cancellation fee. This isn't unusual, but most other campgrounds (example: Biwa, Miami Autocamp, etc.) refund 80% of your cancellation fee in the form of a coupon off of your next booking. I don't think I will bother with this campground again as they want the guest to assume all risk for booking reservations of camp spaces whose rates they have raised well above what they were when the campground was under previous management.
We used the Taki Free Site.
Since you can't park your car right next to your site, bringing a wagon was recommended.
In reality, it's about 200m from the parking lot to the site.
However, even with a wagon, you have to travel along a mountain path (paved) with ups and downs, which is quite difficult for solo campers without ultralight gear.
If you have a decent amount of gear, you'll have to make round trips to the parking lot.
The pleasant environment and clean facilities more than make up for these shortcomings, so I'm giving it 5 stars.
I was hoping to see the starry sky, but it was surrounded by mountains, so the sky was limited, which was a bit disappointing.
When making a reservation, there was a warning that it wasn't suitable for beginners, and that's absolutely true.
It's wise not to choose this campsite for your first time.
[Solo Plan] I used the Kawahara Free Site. The fee was around 3,000 yen, and I was very satisfied with the value for the price.
It's also helpful that parking is free for campers. I arrived by motorcycle, and I parked in parking lot D, which is located by going through a gap in the poles next to the gate and then turning left at the fork just ahead.
The reception is a little hard to find; you need to go around to the center, change your shoes, and then proceed to the reception area, rather than using the entrance next to it.
This campsite doesn't allow cars or motorcycles, so you need to carry your luggage from the parking lot to your site. However, they do have carts available for rent, so it should be manageable. The area up to the site is paved, but there are some rocky areas at the end, making it a little difficult to carry luggage.
The sites are relatively spacious, and there's a good degree of freedom in choosing a location. There are also grassy areas, so you can set up your tent to your liking. Open fires are allowed, and it's easy to set up using existing fire pits. You can also easily build a makeshift fire pit using the surrounding rocks.
The facilities are excellent; the toilets are clean, and there are showers available 24 hours a day. The shower rooms are equipped with hairdryers, shampoo, conditioner, and body soap, but you need to bring your own towel. Those who are concerned about bath mats might want to bring their own.
Garbage can be disposed of from 9 AM, and sorting instructions are clearly displayed. There were also multiple charcoal containers provided within the campsite.
The peaceful environment, with the sound of the river at night and birdsong in the morning, allowed for a quiet and relaxing stay.
Transporting luggage is a bit of a hassle, but even considering that, I felt it was a very attractive campsite. Overall, it was a very satisfying stay.
Minha estadia no Nordisk Hygge Circles UGAKEI foi simplesmente inesquecível e superou todas as minhas expectativas. Desde o momento da chegada, fui envolvida por uma atmosfera de tranquilidade e conexão genuína com a natureza, que é exatamente a proposta do conceito "hygge".
As acomodações são impecáveis, unindo conforto e um design minimalista extremamente acolhedor. Dormir em um ambiente tão bem planejado, que permite observar o céu e sentir a energia do local, é uma experiência revigorante. A limpeza e a manutenção dos espaços são notáveis, refletindo o cuidado da equipe em cada detalhe.
Falando no serviço, a hospitalidade foi um dos pontos altos. A equipe é atenciosa, prestativa e consegue antecipar nossas necessidades sem ser invasiva, garantindo que tenhamos total privacidade e conforto. Além disso, a localização é privilegiada. O cenário ao redor é deslumbrante e oferece o refúgio perfeito para quem busca fugir da rotina agitada e recarregar as energias.
Se você procura um lugar que combina sofisticação, paz e uma experiência de hospedagem única e diferenciada, o UGAKEI é, sem dúvida, a escolha certa. Saí de lá renovada e já planejando a próxima visita. Recomendo fortemente para quem deseja viver momentos de pura serenidade.
Surrounded by greenery and the sound of water, feeling the gentle breeze and sunlight filtering through the trees—a night spent at Nordisk Hygge Circles UGAKEI was a special experience that gently unraveled the stresses of everyday life.
In the silence, the flickering of the campfire invited conversation, and gazing at the starry sky, the phrase "becoming one with nature" resonated deeply.
In the morning, we awakened to the sound of birdsong and the flow of the river, and savored a breakfast featuring seasonal ingredients from Mie Prefecture. For dinner, a meticulously prepared course meal was served in the forest, creating a sense of harmony between nature and humanity simply by tasting it.
During the day, a variety of activities were available, including river play, hiking, workshops, and forest walks. Because it was time to listen to the voices of nature and engage in self-reflection, the mind truly relaxed.
Despite being only about an hour from Nagoya and Osaka, there was a sense of comfort here, more like "a place to come home" than a feeling of being far away. Sustainable design, environmental considerations, and a space that reflects Nordisk's philosophy... everything makes this place special.
This was the perfect place to feel at one with nature. It's the ideal place to spend a wonderful time!