The Ninja Mansion

A lovely view, with plenty of history.

The toilets were impressively clean, and each pitch is for solo campers, so there’s plenty of privacy. I spent one night here camping on my own. The place is easy to reach, about 30 minutes from Toyota City Station, yet after dark it gets quiet and very dark, with lots of stars visible. There are three areas, including a bamboo grove and a viewpoint. The viewpoint has a fantastic outlook, and you can watch the starry sky from your chair. The layout feels geared toward wild camping, with stairs between the car and pitches, so light packers and backpackers should find it a good fit. The woodland area also looks well suited to hammock camping, since the trees are just right for hanging one.

The uphill walk to the pitches could be tough if you're carrying heavy gear, so I'd bring light equipment. There are three campsites at the moment, and all give you a good amount of privacy. The 24-hour caretaker is reassuring, and the clean toilets make it comfortable for women camping too. At night you can sense animals nearby, then wake up to birds singing. There are rules for lodge guests and for protecting the surroundings, but they seem reasonable and help preserve the natural setting. The caretaker mentioned plans to expand, so I'm keen to come back by bicycle next time.

Getting there was easy, around a 20-minute taxi ride from the station. I went with three friends who are international students to try Nagashi somen, and we got to make our own bamboo setup, chopsticks, and bowls. The noodles were delicious, and the condiments had clearly been chosen with care. I also loved the homemade yuzu cider. The people at Ninja Mansion were so kind and hospitable, and took lots of photos for us. I'd like to stay overnight next time. They said the tent sauna is especially good in winter.