Okayama Glamping Sorania

I kept thinking about the Jomon period and wondering whether people lived like this, though probably in a much less maintained setting. Our tent stay was fun, even with the outside voices carrying through the fabric. It gave the place a communal feel, which I liked. We booked a glamping tent, BBQ, and breakfast for the middle night of a three-day weekend, and it was my first time glamping. The site is about a 15-minute drive from Kurashiki Station and only five minutes from a convenience store, handy if you've forgotten something. There is also a small shop at reception, but it closes at 7 PM. Telescopes, board games, sports gear like soccer balls, and herbal tea making are available for free. Kids were happily playing soccer in the playground. The food was much better than I expected: the herb-grilled chicken and truffle pizza were especially tasty, and my wife loved them too. The facility was built in 2022 and still looks beautiful.

The night view is really lovely, and the reception staff were polite and reassuring. This was my first time at Solania, a glamping site in Okayama run by local company Kuruma no Hayashi. It opened in 2022, so the facilities are fairly new and clean. I used one of the six campsites this time. The plots cost 3,000-3,500 yen, with no extra charge per person, so it can be inexpensive for a group if your tent fits in the space. The plots are a reasonable size, but there are so few that neighboring campers are quite close, and conversations carry loudly. Unless you're camping completely solo, that can be hard. The ground is bare, untended dirt rather than grass or gravel, so things get dirty and stones can blow toward your car on windy days. It's also quite hard, so forged pegs are a good idea. One other downside: the solar panels really spoil the view. I took a few photos from the glamping area.

The BBQ was so much fun, and all the food looked stylish and tasted great. We especially enjoyed the foil-baked autumn salmon and matsutake mushrooms, along with the pizza. The grounds were nicely cared for, and the staff were kind and helpful throughout. I was a little unsure about the route as we drove up, but once we parked, the mountain setting opened up to a beautiful city panorama. The weather was clear enough to see a long way. My dog seemed to have a great time too, so I'd love to come back. Thanks for hosting us for the day!

The shared facilities were kept very clean, and having towels and even pajamas among the amenities made the stay really comfortable. When the occasion comes up, I'll use the place again for an anniversary. A couple of things could be better: depending on the timing, the worn windows make it hard to see the scenery outside during the day. On windy days, getting things ready outdoors is difficult, and closing the curtains makes it awkward to move around. Also, men may find the meal a little small, so bringing some extra food seems sensible. They do sell a yakiniku set at the management building.