Oshima Island Camping Trip

Over the weekend, Ryan, Summer, and I, traveled with a group of friends to Oshima Island for a surprise Birthday camping trip.

Located just an hour south of our home in Iwakuni, Oshima Island is a great place to escape for the weekend. In the few short months since moving to Japan, we have driven out to Oshima a handful of times and discovered many interesting things to do. There are a ton of year-round activities to enjoy on the island like visiting different festivals and temples, hiking, diving, fishing, island hopping, seasonal produce picking to name a few, thus making it one of our favorite local weekend destinations.

We have heard that camping is a popular activity here in Japan, so what better place to experience our first Japanese camping adventure?

We pitched our tents at the Katazoe Beach Seaside Park camping area located in the Seto Inland Sea National Park. With palm tree lined streets, rocky beaches, and sprawling hilltops, driving up to the camp grounds felt a lot like we were arriving somewhere in Hawaii. The campsite has both primitive and RV camping plots, as well as air conditioned cabins available.

We were fortunate enough to score a plot near the entrance, which overlooked the gorgeous beach located directly across the street.

Timed at the end of October, the weather was perfect for camping… still warm and comfortable during the day with cooler temperatures at night. Each campsite has its own small kitchenette, complete with cabinets and a sink with running water. There are also grills and firepits for rent.

We had a blast spending the weekend grilling, hanging out with our friends around the campfire, enjoying an unexpected fireworks show, and going for late night swims in the sea with bioluminescent plankton {like a scene straight out of The Beach}! It was definitely a Birthday to remember!

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Katazoegahama Seaside Park Camping Ground

〒742-2512 Yamaguchi-ken, Ōshima-gun, Suōōshima-chō, Hirano, 山口県大島郡周防大島町大字平野片添

+81 820-78-0985