I Looked Into Hashidategawa Campground

As part of my campground research series, I've been gradually looking into campgrounds along rivers in Saitama Prefecture.

This time, I looked into Hashidategawa Campground. What caught my attention was its location at the point where the Hashidate River and the Urayama River meet, which sounded like a spot with a strong river presence.

What Kind of Place Is Hashidategawa Campground?

It appears to be a campground located in the Arakawa area of Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, near where the Hashidate River and Urayama River meet. It seems to operate seasonally from March 1st through mid-December, open every day during that period. Check-in is mainly listed as 3:00 PM and check-out as 11:00 AM, though some sources mention a 1:00 PM check-out time, so it might be reassuring to confirm this in advance by contacting them directly.

The capacity is said to be around 20 people, so it seems to be a fairly compact campground. Reservations are apparently accepted by phone only, and there doesn't seem to be an online booking system at this point.

Komorin

Phone-only reservations feel kind of refreshing these days, since so many places have switched to online booking. I'm not great on the phone, so I'd probably jot down what I want to ask beforehand.

Checking the Fees and Facilities from an Indoor Person's Perspective

The pricing structure is a bit detailed: the entrance fee/facility usage fee is around 200 to 300 yen per person, and the tent site fee (for those bringing their own tent) is around 1,000 to 2,000 yen per tent. There are also lodging options like bungalows and log cabins available, ranging from about 4,000 to 13,000 yen per unit. Parking is listed as 500 yen for cars and 300 yen for motorcycles, though this may vary depending on the season and number of guests, so it's probably worth confirming when making a reservation.

As for facilities, the following was listed:

• Restrooms: Flush toilets available (both Western and Japanese style)
• Powered sites: None
• Wi-Fi: None (mobile phone signal is said to be available)
• Bath/Shower: None
• Shop: Available (sells firewood, charcoal, drinks, etc.)
• Rentals: Available (blankets, BBQ equipment, etc.)
• Open fires: Allowed

While there's no power or Wi-Fi, the fact that open fires are allowed seems like a good fit for anyone who wants to enjoy a campfire. That said, as an indoor person, the lack of a bath or shower is a bit of a concern for me, so I imagine combining a stay here with one of the nearby hot spring facilities I'll mention later.

Rakuten Mobile Signal Conditions

When I checked this location's address using the official "My Area Connectivity Simulator," the overall rating came back as "C."

Since the result was a C rating, it's probably worth checking the connectivity situation in advance. The facility description does mention that mobile phone signal is said to be available, but since the actual simulation showed a C rating, if you plan to make calls or use social media during your stay, it might be reassuring to decide on a backup communication method ahead of time.

Komorin

Seeing that C rating made me brace myself a little. I don't drive, so whenever I'm heading somewhere with unstable signal, I like to note down all the information beforehand. That's the mindset I had while putting this together too.

Checking Out Nearby Hot Springs and Sightseeing Spots

Nearby, there are sightseeing spots like Hashidate Limestone Cave and Urayama Dam, so it seems like a location where you could enjoy a bit of sightseeing beyond just playing in the river. Chichibu Shrine and Chichibu Imamiya Shrine are also in the same area, and I imagine a lot of people stop by there in combination with camping.

Since there's no bath or shower, if you have a car, it seems natural to use hot spring facilities such as Seibu-Chichibu Station-mae Onsen Matsuri no Yu (about 11 minutes by car) or Buko Onsen. There are also roadside stations like Michi-no-Eki Arakawa and Michi-no-Eki Chichibu nearby, which seems convenient for picking up food and taking breaks.

Wrapping Up

To sum it up, Hashidategawa Campground struck me as a simple campground at the confluence of the Hashidate River and the Urayama River, where you can enjoy playing in the river. The facilities are simple, without power or Wi-Fi, but open fires are allowed and there's a shop plus rental gear available, so even people worried about not bringing their own equipment should be able to manage with a bit of creativity.

On the other hand, the Rakuten Mobile signal came back as a C rating, so it's probably best to avoid plans that rely heavily on connectivity. If you're concerned, you can check using the official Rakuten Mobile tool, so it's worth taking a look before your visit.

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