Osorakan Ecology Campsite
Mt. Osorakan is the highest point in Hiroshima Prefecture, located roughly one and a half hours by car northwest of the city of Hiroshima. Osorakan Ecology Campsite is part of a mountain recreation area with ski slopes, mountain trails, and the renowned Sandankyo Gorge. The area is popular year-round, but is particularly beautiful in the summer months.
There are three separate campgrounds to choose from: The Free Site has space for up to 50 free-standing tents, while the Auto Camp area features 31 separate spots for car camping, including some with their own power supply points. The Tent Deck area offers campsites with raised wooden bases to keep tents off the ground. For a cozier stay, there are five single-room log cabins complete with lofts. The grounds also offer five kitchens and five toilet blocks, plus a large communal campfire area.
Campers can rent equipment and purchase food for barbequing, and rent rods for fishing in the on-site pond. Keen cooks can try their hand at making wood-fired pizza. The campsite also has a bungee trampoline, which is popular with families. For more active types, the Zipline Adventure features six different courses for gliding down the mountainside, ranging from 64 meters to 140 meters long. Admission is discounted for visitors staying at the Osorakan Ecology Campsite.
The nearby Sandankyo Gorge is one of Hiroshima Prefecture’s most popular scenic sites. Famous for its waterfalls and undisturbed natural beauty, the 16-kilometer gorge enfolds the Shibaki River and is part of Nishi-Chugoku Sanchi Quasi-National Park. The best way to see Sandankyo Gorge is by boat; a river cruise operates from a location close to the campground. The 14-person boat tour runs on weekends and holidays from mid-April to late November, and daily during peak season in autumn. The cruise takes in two of the area’s famous sites: Nidandaki Falls, which is only accessible by boat, and the narrow passageway of Sarutobi Rock.