Camp Park Kito

The staff were so friendly, and that might be the best part of this campground. They made it easy to relax, and I had a great time. It also looks like there are more new things and experiences coming, so I’m already looking forward to another visit. We stayed at Riara, which felt almost like a hotel. The toilet lid lifts and flushes automatically, and there’s a low-chair kotatsu. You can bring the mat from the closet onto the terrace and have a drink while listening to the river. There was no TV, which I first thought might leave us with nothing to do, but being able to enjoy nature was great. The refrigerator had bottled water for each bed, and they could bring a pitcher if we needed more. We picked the barbecue plan and really liked it. Adding yuzu to the sauce gave it a distinctive, almost addictive taste. We brought beer and other drinks, but the closest shop, Mirai convenience store, about 20 minutes away, closes on some days. There are a 7-Eleven and Lawson much closer, where we bought our drinks. The clean semi-open-air bath was a nice way to warm up. At night it was pitch dark, so the stars stood out. The feel of the place is different in the morning, and I’d suggest bathing both then and in the evening. Breakfast was delicious and felt like a treat. Being able to bring our dogs was one of the main reasons we came. We followed the rules and kept them out where required, and I appreciated that there wasn’t an extra pet fee like at other hotels. The campground really does live up to the reviews: mountains, river, starry skies, hot springs, and a relaxing stay. Phone service from au, Softbank, and Rakuten Mobile didn’t work for me, but the property WiFi meant it wasn’t a problem. The drive in takes care. The road stays narrow for several kilometers, often without guardrails, so passing oncoming traffic could be tricky. We were lucky not to meet any cars either way. I’d keep the headlights on just in case. I do wish there were a foot bath beside the trout catch pond. When I’m an old man, I’d like to watch my grandchildren play while soaking my feet, then eat fresh pizza. (lol)

The staff were warm and welcoming, and the friendly atmosphere made it easy to settle in. Everyone had a lovely smile. The food was another highlight: we had BBQ, flowing somen noodles, dishes centered on local Kito cuisine, and the classic curry. The yuzu from Kito Village used as a secret ingredient really stayed with me. I’m pretty sure you’ll gain weight during a stay here! This campsite is tucked into a mountain valley in Kito Village, Tokushima Prefecture. Once you leave the national highway, it’s about ten minutes along a narrow, winding forest road. You might think you’ve taken a wrong turn, then suddenly the modern, beautiful campsite appears. Mountains rise all around, and a clear stream full of river fish runs right in front. It’s a lovely place to get away from city life. In summer you can use the tent sauna by the river, cool off in the water, and play in the river until you lose track of time. There are also activities like making pizza from scratch and baking it in a kiln, plus drone piloting, which seems especially good for families. Every room looks out over the river, and the rooms are clean and well cared for. There are plenty of toilets indoors and out, and they’re remarkably clean for a campsite. The large public bath was great too, with views of the mountains and river while you soak. One thing to know is that this is deep in the mountains. Only Docomo had cell reception for me, and the WiFi was a little slow, so big online meetings could be difficult. Better to leave the world’s worries behind and enjoy being outdoors. Definitely worth a visit.

In summer, the river right in front of the lodge looks like a great place to splash around in the shallows. We stayed two days and one night, with two adults and three kids aged 10, 6, and 2, and chose the BBQ package. The lodge cost 33,000 yen including tax. Half the BBQ for the two adults and half the breakfast for the 10-year-old brought the total to around 13,000 yen. There’s free yuzu fruit liqueur at reception, while beer and other drinks cost extra. Families with kids, especially picky eaters, should come prepared. There aren’t any shops at the property or nearby, and there’s no hot water service for baby formula, though they might have some if you ask. You can’t just get instant ramen if you get hungry. Our lodge had no TV or anything like that, and the lighting was quite dim, so it didn’t feel like a comfortable place to spend the evening indoors. Getting there was a concern too. The connecting road was National Route 195, the kind of three-digit road that can be a problem. I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone inexperienced with mountain driving. Landslides and other issues could mean changing or cancelling your plans.

The bath is small, but nice, and I’d get there early. We had a lot of fun outdoors, with friendly staff, BBQ, and time playing in the river. There were quite a few young groups and families with kids, and they sell fun things like fireworks on site. The mountain roads on the way are pretty steep, so less experienced drivers may find the drive difficult. I thought the price was fair after the GoTo campaign discount, though at the regular price it would be a bit more expensive.