I Looked Into Saiko Kohan Campsite

As I keep researching and recording campsites, day-use hot springs, and lodging facilities one by one, this blog has gradually built up quite a few entries. This time I decided to turn my attention to a lakeside area.

What I looked into this time was "Saiko Kohan Campsite." I'd heard before that there was "a campsite on the shore of Lake Saiko," but when I came across information saying it's open year-round with everything from free tent sites to bungalows to choose from, and that there's apparently a craft beer brewery nearby, I got curious and decided to dig in.

What Kind of Place Is Saiko Kohan Campsite?

It's apparently a campsite located on the shore of Lake Saiko, in the Fuji-Kawaguchiko area of Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture. It seems to be run by a company called Saiko Drive-in Co., Ltd. When I checked the official website, it listed year-round operation, and I couldn't find any mention of a winter closure, so it looks like a facility you can use throughout all four seasons.

Check-in and check-out times seem to be broken down in detail depending on the site type. For the free tent sites, check-in runs from 9:00 to 18:30 with check-out by 10:30. For day camping, check-in starts at 10:30 (9:00 on weekdays) with check-out at 17:00. For bungalows, check-in runs from 13:00 to 18:30 with check-out by 11:00. Apparently, if the site was full the previous day, free-site check-in can shift to start at 10:30.

As for reservations, it seems the free tent sites can't be booked in advance and operate on a first-come, first-served basis each day, while bungalows can be reserved by phone or through a web form. Phone reservations are apparently possible too, but it seems safest to check the number on the official website. Payment is described as cash only, so it might be reassuring to bring cash if you're planning to visit.

Komorin

So the free sites can't be reserved and it's first-come, first-served. I don't drive—I've got a license but never actually drive—so I imagine a first-come setup like this could be a bit of a hurdle for me.

A Setup Where You Can Choose Your Style, From Free Sites to Bungalows

Looking at the pricing, auto camping/tent stays apparently cost 1,500 yen for adults, 1,000 yen for children (age 3 through elementary school), and 1,000 yen per car. Day camping is set a bit lower, at 1,000 yen for adults, 500 yen for children, and 500 yen per car.

Bungalows seem to range quite a bit depending on room size—starting at 6,300 yen for a 4.5-tatami-mat room that sleeps up to 3, up to 28,000 yen for a 16-tatami-mat room that sleeps up to 12. Air-conditioned rooms are also available, priced from around 9,500 yen up to the high 19,000s, which sounds like a nice option for indoor types during seasons when heat or cold is a concern. That said, the outlets inside the bungalows seem limited to light use like charging a phone, so it's probably worth being careful if you're planning to use anything that draws more power.

There don't seem to be any powered sites as such, since only free tent sites are offered, but apparently you can pay to charge a large battery at the management building for 200 to 500 yen. Wi-Fi is also apparently only available inside the management building, not at the tent sites or in the bungalows. Hot showers cost 450 yen per use (for those in middle school and up), and it seems shampoo and the like aren't provided, so you'd probably need to bring your own.

There are apparently three roofed cooking areas on the grounds, and I came across information suggesting that one of them, on the lake side, has hot water. That said, I wasn't able to confirm this as an individually listed detail on the official website, so I'd like to treat it as reference information only. Pets seem to be welcome too, as long as you follow rules like keeping them on a leash and cleaning up after them.

The Appeal of a Location Just Five Minutes From a Craft Beer Brewery

One of the highlights of this facility seems to be the range of things to do in the surrounding area. According to the official website, it's about a 5-minute walk to "AIM Brew LAB.," a craft beer brewery said to have been converted from an old traditional house near Lake Saiko. It apparently has a taproom and café attached as well, so I found the idea of being able to stop by in between camping activities pretty appealing.

If you're willing to go a bit further, it's about a 17-minute drive to a thatched-roof village called Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba, where you can apparently also enjoy views of Mount Fuji, and about a 4-minute drive to Fuji Saiko Onsen Izumi no Yu, said to be the only natural hot spring around Lake Saiko. It seems like you could wash off at the day-use hot spring and then head back to your tent. Michi no Eki Narusawa is also about a 12-minute drive away, so it looks handy for grocery runs or a quick break.

As for access, if you're driving from Kawaguchiko Station, apparently you go through the Bunkado Tunnel and continue straight for about 400 meters, and the campsite comes into view on your left. If you're taking the bus, I came across information saying the Lake Saiko loop bus takes about 27 minutes to the "Saiko Tosenba-iriguchi" stop, at 510 yen one way, though the schedule seems to change depending on the season, so it's probably worth checking the latest information before you go.

Rakuten Mobile Signal Conditions

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

With a C rating, it seems there could be spots where the connection gets unstable, or times of day when it's harder to get a signal. If you're planning to stream video or do anything data-heavy, it might be reassuring to download what you need ahead of time and prepare in advance.

Komorin

I use Rakuten Mobile myself, so I want to keep that C rating in mind. Since Wi-Fi is apparently available in the management building, if I have any work to get done, it seems best to plan around that.

Wrapping Up

To sum it all up, Saiko Kohan Campsite struck me as a facility with a wide range of options, from tent camping at the free site to bungalows with air conditioning and heating, and a location that's memorable for being just a 5-minute walk from a craft beer brewery.

On the other hand, as someone who leans toward indoor activities, I felt it was worth knowing in advance that payment is cash only, there are no powered sites, and Wi-Fi is only available in the management building. The Rakuten Mobile signal came back rated C, so if that's a concern for you, it might be reassuring to check the official tool yourself before heading out.

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Related Links

• Official Site