Tired of crowds? Go camping, stargazing, and cooking outdoors in Japan – a new choice for summer family trips

Southern Miyagi Prefecture boasts several distinctive and well-equipped campgrounds that offer complete equipment rentals and even allow you to pre-book barbecue package tours, making it very convenient for overseas travelers. (Photo provided by VISIT Tohoku)

Summer is the peak season for family travel every year, especially during the vacation period when popular overseas destinations are often hard to get into. So how can you avoid the crowded tourist rush? Southern Miyagi Prefecture in Northeastern Japan, with its natural landscapes, cultural charm, and abundant local produce, as well as relatively comfortable summer temperatures compared to lower latitudes, has become a new choice for summer family trips.

Southern Miyagi Prefecture offers a variety of outdoor facilities and tourism resources, perfect for families who enjoy getting close to nature and learning through fun. Especially as camping and outdoor cooking have become popular in Taiwan recently, southern Miyagi has several unique and well-facilitated campgrounds that provide full equipment rentals and even allow advance booking of barbecue package tours, which is very convenient for overseas visitors. Among them, the “Fudōson Park Campground” in Marumori Town is located in a lush green forest, preserving a simple woodland scenery. A clear stream runs through the park, which is very popular with children. On sunny days, playing in the cool, clear stream water is the best amusement for kids. In addition, due to the lack of light pollution, you can look up at the starry sky at night.

The “Mount Zaō Okama Crater Lake,” located within Mount Zaō National Park, can be considered one of the landmarks of southern Miyagi Prefecture. The unique landscape of this volcanic crater lake attracts visitors from far and wide, making it one of the must-visit natural attractions for both domestic and international tourists. Known for its emerald-green waters, the color of Okama Crater Lake varies richly with the sunlight, earning it the nickname “Five-Color Pond.” Even in summer, the high-altitude summit of Okama remains pleasantly cool.

At the entrance of the Mount Zaō Dairy Farm Center, there is also a rose garden featuring over 400 varieties, including many precious species from Japan and Europe, attracting visitors to stop and admire. (Photo provided by VISIT Tohoku)

Traditional wooden toys called kokeshi are one of the important cultural assets of southern Miyagi Prefecture, with various schools of kokeshi history museums located throughout the prefecture. (Photo provided by VISIT Tohoku)

When visiting Mount Zaō, you can't miss the region’s rich dairy products. The Mount Zaō Dairy Farm Center is the best sightseeing spot where visitors can sample all the specialty products in one place. The cattle raised in the park are grazed in untouched high mountains, and thanks to the clean environment, water sources, and strict quality control, the products produced are highly praised by consumers. There are dozens of types of cheese products alone. In addition to the exhibition and sales center, the park also has a restaurant and a local products shopping street. You can also participate in hands-on experiences such as making cheese and milk. Moreover, at the park entrance, there is a rose garden with over 400 varieties, including many precious species from Japan and Europe, some of which were successfully cultivated after years of restoration efforts.

In addition, traditional wooden toys called kokeshi are one of the important cultural assets of southern Miyagi Prefecture, with various schools of kokeshi history museums located throughout the prefecture. Among them, the “Yajirō Kokeshi Village” not only allows free entry to the museum to learn about the characteristics of the ten major kokeshi styles and the history and evolution of kokeshi-making processes, but also offers kokeshi painting experiences. In addition, the village hosts several resident artisans, allowing you to observe the workshops of active kokeshi craftsmen, witness the actual creation process, and even get a personal signature from the artisan on the kokeshi you purchase on-site – a truly rare opportunity for an in-depth cultural exchange experience.

[Travel Information] Fudōson Park Campground

Address: 64-1 Fudō, Marumori-machi, Imadate-gun, Miyagi Prefecture 0981-2116

Transportation: It is recommended to rent a car and drive from central Sendai; the drive takes approximately 1.5–2 hours.

Phone: 0224-72-2646

Fees: Entrance fee 300–510 yen, cabin rental 10,200 yen (for 4 people) – 14,400 yen (for 8 people)

Business Hours: Reception center open 9:00–17:00

Yajirō Kokeshi Village

Address: 72-1 Yajirō Kita, Hachiyō, Fukuoka, Shiroishi, Miyagi Prefecture 0989-0733

Transportation: Approximately a 20-minute drive from Shiroishi-Zaō Station.

Phone: 0224-26-3993

Fees: Museum entry free, kokeshi painting experience 700 yen (including materials)

Business Hours: April–October 9:00–17:00, November–March 9:00–16:00

Mount Zaō Okama Crater Lake

Address: Zaō Town, Kattagawa Hot Spring, Okama Crater Lake, Zaō Town, Miyagi Prefecture 0989-0916

Transportation: It is recommended to rent a car and drive from central Sendai; the drive takes approximately 1.5 hours.

Phone: 0224-34-2725 (Zaō Town Sightseeing Information Center)

Fees: Free

Business Hours: Open year-round (closed from early November to late April)

Mount Zaō Dairy Farm Center

Address: 251-4 Nanukahara, Enkatayu Onsen, Zaō Town, Katta District, Miyagi Prefecture 0989-0916

Transportation: It takes about 10 minutes by car from Yuange Tian Hot Spring Street.

Phone: 0224-34-3311

Prices: Cheese products start from 500 yen, with gift box options also available

Business hours: 9:00–17:00 (Rose Garden closed in winter)

Flights: Direct flights are available with EVA Air on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays; or Scoot on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, flying directly from Taoyuan Airport to Sendai.

Transfer: You can fly to Tokyo Narita or Haneda Airport, then transfer to the Shinkansen at Tokyo Station to Sendai Station, with a travel time of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.