Takanezawa Trailers Base

The deck was roomy and comfortable, and rain didn’t cause any trouble. Dinner was a highlight: generous and delicious, with sauces, salt, and olive oil to try. It came with bread rather than rice, though there was inari sushi, and rice lovers may want to bring their own. We also got local sake as a gift. The bath was available on arrival day and after checkout, but it closes early: last entry is 8:30 PM and it shuts at 9, so going after dinner means eating early. I was excited for my first glamping trip after seeing the place on TV, but the stay fell short in quite a few ways. You can’t park beside the campsite, and the walk from the lot and reception is a hassle when heading to the bath or fetching something from the car. Genki Up Village is about a 10-minute walk away too, which made getting around by car awkward for what’s meant to be a relaxing trip. The camper van had several practical problems. The toilet is cramped, and taller or larger guests may not be able to close the door; men can’t shut it while standing to urinate. The sink drained poorly and had dust buildup, the air conditioner was very loud, and the fridge door was hard to close. The supplied tableware was limited to plates, coffee cups, and small glasses. Insects can get through gaps in the door screens, and the blinds and windows don’t open, so you can’t really enjoy the outdoors from inside. Breakfast was an ordinary bento. I’d have preferred something more picnic-like, a choice of Japanese or Western food, or even yogurt and fruit. I got a discounted rate through the prefectural resident discount, which was nice, but there weren’t enough positives to make me want to return or recommend it.

The barbecue was a treat for meat lovers, with beef, pork, and chicken, and we enjoyed our one-night glamping stay on November 4, 2020. The guest-only morning hot spring hours, 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM, were a welcome extra. Do keep in mind that the trailer sizes differ across four types, so interiors and amenities vary a little. There’s a bit of a trek between the parking area and the trailer, which could be awkward in rain or winter. As of November 2020, you couldn’t park a private car right beside your trailer. Here’s how things worked for us: 1. Park at Takanezawa Genki Appu Mura Roadside Station, then check in at the Genki Appu Mura Main Building. You take off your shoes at the entrance because the hot springs are in the same building. You’ll get your room key, a parking permit for Trailer Base, and vouchers for a one-day hot spring pass for that day and the next. The registration also asks for your vehicle’s license plate number. 2. Drive along the public road to Trailer Base, which is some distance from the main parking lot. Park in the guest-only lot and display the permit on your dashboard. 3. Check in on the first floor of the Trailer Base administration building. A staff member explains meal times and other details, then takes you to your trailer and brings your luggage on a cart. 4. Staff deliver dinner and breakfast to the trailer at the scheduled times. The trailer comes with a kettle, coffee set, umbrella, pajamas, disposable slippers, towels, and bath towels. Amenities include shampoo, conditioner, body soap, mouthwash, toothbrush, hairbrush, body towel, cotton pads, a T-shaped razor, and lotion. Some amenity items vary by gender. You can still use the hot springs after checkout. Take the voucher to the main building front desk to exchange it for a one-day bath pass, and you can return the trailer towels there too. Walking to the hot springs takes about 10 minutes, so driving is convenient. But after drinking at dinner you’ll have to walk; the route is quite dark at night with no streetlights, and walking back in colder weather after a bath could leave you chilled. There’s a shortcut via a private road onto the grounds instead of taking the public road. Visitors can enter the glamping area between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, but can’t view the trailer interiors. Outside those hours, entry is limited to guests. From my November stay, mornings and evenings were quite cold. The heating was on but noisy, and the provided pajamas were short-sleeved, so bring a jacket or warmer sleepwear if you get cold easily. We had a fun stay.

The BBQ grill is only for dinner, while breakfast comes in boxed lunches. With sunshine and no wind, you might get to see a campfire or bonfire. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom and looked amazing. Everything felt beautiful, and I’d love to come back. I think most people would leave satisfied!

The fresh meat and vegetables at the BBQ were plentiful. This roadside station’s glamping area uses trailer houses, so the lodging doesn’t match a typical inn or hotel, but I liked its American feel. There’s also a nearby facility where you can use the hot springs for a bath.