Private Camping Retreat with Mountain Cabin on Saku Highland
This property in Nagano Prefecture offers a unique opportunity for those seeking a private outdoor sanctuary. Located in the Saku Highland area within a quasi-national park, the land sits at an elevation of 1,350 meters near a mountain summit. The current owner purchased the plot in 2015 with the intention of creating a private campsite, and has already completed the most labor-intensive groundwork. The former mixed woodland was cleared, the sloping terrain was leveled, and a small cabin was constructed to serve as a base. A simple flush toilet has also been installed, meaning that with water brought in by tank, the site is ready for fully private camping.
The property is situated within a designated vacation home subdivision, which requires an annual management fee of 30,000 yen. This fee covers garbage disposal, and for a little over 10,000 yen, one can arrange for grass cutting. Utility connections for electricity and water are possible but have not been made by the current owner. The location is approximately a two-hour drive from central Tokyo, and temperatures here are typically around 10 degrees Celsius cooler than in the capital. Vehicle access is available right up to the land, and parking is possible. The area is rich in natural beauty; at night, one can hear only the calls of deer, and with good timing, fireflies can be observed on the property itself. A ridge line walk from the land leads to the mountain summit, effectively providing a private hiking route. The owner notes that the outlet shopping area of Karuizawa is about 30 minutes away via a back road.
The improvements on the land include a small cabin suitable for sleeping (described as a self-built structure, not a professional finish), a leveled area in front of the cabin suitable for camping, and a simple flush toilet. The owner describes the property as still being in a developmental stage, offering room for further customization such as rebuilding the cabin or creating more tent-friendly flat areas. A neighboring vacation home, two lots away, has not had any visitors since the current owner purchased the land. Mountain cherry blossoms bloom in the area after the Golden Week holidays in early May. Mobile phone reception is available, making remote work possible. The annual management fee is 12,000 yen if garbage collection service is not required. A separate building on the land is a mountain cabin, and there is a simple flush toilet. The property is located in Shiga, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture, and the land area is 464 square meters.
