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Glamping in Japan!
We Enjoyed Open-Air Baths, Spa, and BBQ at O Park OGOSE
If you want to get out in the nature without the hassle of pitching tents or buying tools, glamping is the thing for you. Combining the words "glamorous" and "camping", glamping is an alternative way of enjoying outdoor activities. Sporting various types of facilities made to meet the needs of both beginners and seasoned travelers, they all have one thing in common: proximity to nature!
For a peek into the world of glamping in Japan we visited O Park OGOSE, a stylish "bio-resort" in Saitama Prefecture.
The fastest route to O Park OGOSE from Tokyo is about 75 minutes from Ikebukuro Station to Ogose Station. Another 10 minutes by free shuttle bus will take you to the resort. As soon as we arrived we immediately felt how fresh the air was. The access is very convenient, making this a great destination for families with kids and groups of friends alike.
There are different ways to stay at O Park OGOSE. We have the classic campsites where you can set up your own tent, as well as cabins. There are also more extravagant lodgings like the "Float Dome Tent", a spherical tent that's literally suspended in mid-air!
For our stay we chose the "Dome Cabin", a new accommodation type that was introduced last year. These cute round cabins are decorated with the faces of the mascot characters of Ogose and Moroyama, two neighboring towns. The red one is Umerin (Ogose's mascot), and the yellow one is Moromaru-kun (Moroyama's mascot).
Upon check-in we were given an entrance ticket to the resort's facilities, granting us free access to the bath and spa areas.
Our cabin was bright and colorful with two double beds, one sofa bed, bathroom, air conditioner, TV, hair dryer and various other accessories.
The attention to detail is worthy of Japan's famous hospitality!
The cabin's interior is spacious and can comfortably accommodate up to two adults and two children. As soon as you step outside you'll find yourself surrounded by a green forest! It's nature at your fingertips.
First we checked out the kid's park where we found a cute playground and a storybook corner.
The space is ingeniously designed with colorful hammocks and a library with hundreds of magazines and comics. There are also board games to enjoy with your family or friends.
You can play a game of table tennis or, if you want to relax even more, paid massages are also available.
Feasting on some delicious grilled meat that comes right from Saitama Prefecture is the perfect way to enjoy being outdoors and revel in the surrounding forest and mountains. The glamping barbecue course includes appetizers, cold soups, fresh vegetable skewers, herb-flavored chicken, Saitama pork, curry, and more. (Menu varies by season).
Of course you can also bring stuff yourself. We topped our barbecue with marshmallows, popcorn and drinks!
If you're celebrating a special event, O Park Ogose offers the option to reserve a cake or bouquet.
The bathing facility is divided between a bathing suit area and a naked bathing area. The bathing suit area is a nice open space with light coming in from the ceiling. There's no separation here, so families and couples can bathe together. The area includes hot baths, a sauna and cold baths. There is also a Japanese-style outdoor bath where you can listen to the chirping of birds while you bathe.
If you're staying here, you can start using the bathing facilities as soon as you check in and on the day of the check out, too.
After filling our bellies with delicious barbecue and taking a bath, we had some fun Japanese-style with temochi hanabi (handheld fireworks) in the campground at night. You can bring your own or buy them on the premises.
On the evening of the check-in day, the food for the next day's breakfast is also delivered to your room. So the next morning we just heated it up in our cabin and enjoyed it on our terrace.
We really enjoyed our stay at O Park OGOSE. We recommend it if you want to try Western-style glamping topped with some Japanese-style relaxation, all wrapped up in beautiful nature just outside Tokyo.
Address: 3083-1 Ueno, Ogose, Iruma-gun, Saitama Prefecture
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. (last admission 9:30 p.m.)
For overnight stays, check-in at 3:00 pm and check-out at 11:00 am.
Holidays: every second Thursday of the month
Room rates: varies depending on the period
Access:
By car: 30 minutes drive from the Tsurugashima I.C. on the Kan-Etsu Expressway toward Ogose
For those coming by train: 10 minutes by car or taxi from Ogose Station on the JR Hachiko Line and Tobu Ogose Line. There is also a free shuttle bus from Ogose Station.
Website (Japanese only): https://opark.jp/
*The above article is based on information from July 2020.
*Prices, business hours and other information in this article are subject to change. Make sure you check them in advance.
About the Author
Cutepanma is a Taiwanese mom living in Tokyo. She writes travel articles from a parent's perspective and is very good at bargain hunting. She travels Japan in search of curious and interesting destinations.
For a peek into the world of glamping in Japan we visited O Park OGOSE, a stylish "bio-resort" in Saitama Prefecture.
Enjoy Camping in Nature Just a Short Distance From Tokyo
The fastest route to O Park OGOSE from Tokyo is about 75 minutes from Ikebukuro Station to Ogose Station. Another 10 minutes by free shuttle bus will take you to the resort. As soon as we arrived we immediately felt how fresh the air was. The access is very convenient, making this a great destination for families with kids and groups of friends alike.
Choosing Your Accommodation Type
There are different ways to stay at O Park OGOSE. We have the classic campsites where you can set up your own tent, as well as cabins. There are also more extravagant lodgings like the "Float Dome Tent", a spherical tent that's literally suspended in mid-air!
For our stay we chose the "Dome Cabin", a new accommodation type that was introduced last year. These cute round cabins are decorated with the faces of the mascot characters of Ogose and Moroyama, two neighboring towns. The red one is Umerin (Ogose's mascot), and the yellow one is Moromaru-kun (Moroyama's mascot).
Upon check-in we were given an entrance ticket to the resort's facilities, granting us free access to the bath and spa areas.
Our cabin was bright and colorful with two double beds, one sofa bed, bathroom, air conditioner, TV, hair dryer and various other accessories.
The attention to detail is worthy of Japan's famous hospitality!
The cabin's interior is spacious and can comfortably accommodate up to two adults and two children. As soon as you step outside you'll find yourself surrounded by a green forest! It's nature at your fingertips.
Trying the Various Facilities and Activities
First we checked out the kid's park where we found a cute playground and a storybook corner.
The space is ingeniously designed with colorful hammocks and a library with hundreds of magazines and comics. There are also board games to enjoy with your family or friends.
You can play a game of table tennis or, if you want to relax even more, paid massages are also available.
Barbecue on the Terrace
Feasting on some delicious grilled meat that comes right from Saitama Prefecture is the perfect way to enjoy being outdoors and revel in the surrounding forest and mountains. The glamping barbecue course includes appetizers, cold soups, fresh vegetable skewers, herb-flavored chicken, Saitama pork, curry, and more. (Menu varies by season).
Of course you can also bring stuff yourself. We topped our barbecue with marshmallows, popcorn and drinks!
If you're celebrating a special event, O Park Ogose offers the option to reserve a cake or bouquet.
Bath Time!
The bathing facility is divided between a bathing suit area and a naked bathing area. The bathing suit area is a nice open space with light coming in from the ceiling. There's no separation here, so families and couples can bathe together. The area includes hot baths, a sauna and cold baths. There is also a Japanese-style outdoor bath where you can listen to the chirping of birds while you bathe.
If you're staying here, you can start using the bathing facilities as soon as you check in and on the day of the check out, too.
When the Sun Goes Down
After filling our bellies with delicious barbecue and taking a bath, we had some fun Japanese-style with temochi hanabi (handheld fireworks) in the campground at night. You can bring your own or buy them on the premises.
On the evening of the check-in day, the food for the next day's breakfast is also delivered to your room. So the next morning we just heated it up in our cabin and enjoyed it on our terrace.
Experience Glamping in Japan!
We really enjoyed our stay at O Park OGOSE. We recommend it if you want to try Western-style glamping topped with some Japanese-style relaxation, all wrapped up in beautiful nature just outside Tokyo.
Information
BIO-RESORT HOTEL & SPA O Park OGOSE | オーパークおごせAddress: 3083-1 Ueno, Ogose, Iruma-gun, Saitama Prefecture
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. (last admission 9:30 p.m.)
For overnight stays, check-in at 3:00 pm and check-out at 11:00 am.
Holidays: every second Thursday of the month
Room rates: varies depending on the period
Access:
By car: 30 minutes drive from the Tsurugashima I.C. on the Kan-Etsu Expressway toward Ogose
For those coming by train: 10 minutes by car or taxi from Ogose Station on the JR Hachiko Line and Tobu Ogose Line. There is also a free shuttle bus from Ogose Station.
Website (Japanese only): https://opark.jp/
*The above article is based on information from July 2020.
*Prices, business hours and other information in this article are subject to change. Make sure you check them in advance.
About the Author
Cutepanma is a Taiwanese mom living in Tokyo. She writes travel articles from a parent's perspective and is very good at bargain hunting. She travels Japan in search of curious and interesting destinations.
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THIS ARTICLE IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM 09 20,2020 Author：Chiharu Matsunaga
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