Why does it cost more than a normal campsite?

Because it isn't a bare pitch. A ¥2,000 plot-only site is grass and a tap. At 1,444m the simple Camp tier starts at ¥5,200/night for the first adult (+¥2,200 each additional) with the field, shared kitchen, toilets and parking; the all-in Work&Camp tier is from ¥7,200/night (+¥4,200 each additional) and adds the heated lounge, fiber office, gym and hot showers — you sleep in a tent either way. Check-ins through 30 Nov pay the opening rate: ¥3,000 Camp, ¥6,500 Work&Camp. Glamping in Gunma/Nagano runs ¥15,000–35,000/person/night; coliving $1,300–2,500/month in the city.

Can I rent just a plot (区画) without the facilities?

No — and there are no numbered plots here to rent: the ranch is one free field, and we deliberately don’t offer plot-only camping. The per-person rate is the product, and what it buys depends on the tier. Camp covers your place on the field, the shared kitchen and the toilets. A hot shower is ¥500 a session and the office +¥2,000 per adult per night, both paid on site. Work&Camp is the tier that puts the fiber office, gym, heated lounge and showers inside the nightly rate. Either way pricing is per guest, not per plot. If you want a bare pitch, nearby Tsumagoi campsites offer plot-only sites around ¥2,000–¥5,000/night. If what you actually want is the whole area for your group, that exists: the Events charter gives you the entire ranch exclusively — see the Events page.

Do I need to bring my own tent?

Either works — bring your own or rent one of ours. We have a solo tent (¥1,000/night) and a pop-up for 4–6 (¥2,000), plus two big tents at ¥3,000/night — a 5m bell for up to 8 and a family bell for 4–6. All are self-pitch. Staff pitching is a paid option at +¥3,000, subject to who is on site, so ask us before you book it. A rental tent is the shell only — no beds and no bedding — so bring a sleeping bag and mat, or ask on LINE at least two days ahead and we will try to source them for you (paid). (This is a tent site, not a licensed hotel — that is why overnight stays need a tent.)

Yes — the whole field is pet-friendly, everywhere on it. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leash in shared areas. Pick up after your pet, keep food secured (bears visit the plateau), and never leave dogs unattended in the office or kitchen. Message us on LINE if you have questions about your specific animal.

Will I be cold at night?

You can be — always check the temperature before you come. At 1,444 m the air runs roughly 10°C cooler than the city and mountain nights drop fast, even in summer, so check the live reading at the top of the page and pack for it. Bring warm layers and a cold-rated sleeping bag or blanket. Only two of our tents have a stove jack: the Bell tent 5m (8 guests) and the Bell tent (4–6 guests). Pick one of those if you want to run a wood stove — the Solo tent + fly and the Pop-up tent (4–6 guests) have no flue port, so a stove cannot be used inside them. Heaters are a paid rental (cassette-gas ¥1,000/night, wood stove ¥2,000/night, kerosene and FF diesel ¥3,000/night each; we hold one of each, so availability is confirmed when you book). Only the FF diesel heater vents its exhaust outside the tent — everything else needs real ventilation and must never be left burning while you sleep. The FF unit needs 12V/24V for fan/ignition (your battery, Anker C2000, or a bookable pump-room AC spot; official start 150 W / run 10–60 W). Diesel is guest-arranged. The heated indoor lounge is there whenever you want to thaw out.

What is the Stopover / 車中泊? Do you provide a car?

No — you bring your own vehicle and sleep in it. Stopover (車中泊) is free choice in the big carpark (5 vehicles/night, no numbered bays), priced per vehicle: opening ¥2,500/night for check-ins through Nov 30, 2026, then ¥3,500/night from Dec 1, with 2 adults included, +¥1,000/night each additional adult (max 4 in the vehicle). Parking and toilets are included. Electricity is not — park where a 20m+ outdoor cord reaches the pump-room outer wall (¥1,000/night, cap 2). Hot shower ¥500 on site, coworking office +¥2,000 per adult per night. We do not rent or provide a car.

Can I drive onto the camping field? What if I pitch a tent too?

Yes — 4WD only, and entirely at your own risk. If a vehicle gets stuck, call your own JAF — the ranch does not tow and is not liable. Do not leave a vehicle on the field. Anything other than a 4WD stays in the big carpark (100+ spaces); carts are free. Overnight on the field (tent or vehicle) is Camp, billed per adult. After dark, vehicle movement is exit-only — the field is unlit. To sleep in your vehicle in the carpark, choose the 車中泊 (Stopover) tab: free choice, 5 vehicles/night.

How many people per group? Can we book two groups?

Each online camp booking is one group of up to 8 guests, billed per guest, children included at the same rate (first guest ¥7,200/night, each additional +¥4,200). Groups of 9+ (or wanting several groups on the same dates) book the full-venue Event charter instead — venue bands by headcount: up to 30 guests ¥120,000/day or ¥180,000/night, 31–50 guests ¥180,000/¥250,000, hard cap 50. Fri/Sat/Sun/holiday-eve adds ¥30,000 per day or night, and Jul–Sep adds ¥30,000; on a multi-night charter each night is priced on its own date. Invoice billing available. Message us on LINE or use the Event tab.

How do deposits and cancellations work for charter events and corporate bookings?

A deposit of 50% of the estimated total (minimum ¥50,000) confirms your event date; the balance is due 30 days before the event. Cancellation fees: free 90+ days out (deposit refunded), 20% at 60–89 days, 50% at 30–59 days, 80% at 15–29 days, 100% inside 14 days. One free date change (within 6 months) if requested 30+ days ahead — if you cancel after a date change, fees are calculated against the original event date. If we close the venue for weather warnings or disasters, everything paid is refunded in full.

Are there lots of insects? What should I bring?

Mountain insects are part of highland camping — mosquitoes, horseflies (abu), and blackflies (buyo) show up in the warmer months. Nothing scary if you're prepared: rent our Coleman mosquito coils (蚊取り線香) from the gear list, or bring your own repellent and long sleeves. Coils are also sold at the unmanned ranch shop. Screens on the lounge help when you're indoors; outdoors, smoke + clothing is the classic Japanese fix.

Is the ground flat? What are the blue sheets on the field?

This is a real former pasture: gently sloped, leveled a little more every season. Blue ground sheets (ブルーシート) are laid in parts of the field so grass doesn’t grow under a tent — pitch on one if you want a flat base that is ready to go, or anywhere else on the field you like. Bring a thick sleeping mat if you want extra comfort, and if you feel a lean, pitch with your head uphill.

Are there quieter spots on the field?

Ranch-wide quiet hours on Open Days are 22:00–08:00. There is no numbered site to pick — with only 5 groups a night on the whole field (that cap exists so the field never feels shared), you simply walk the ranch when you arrive and pitch in a quieter corner. Paid AC is the two pump-room spots (add it on the camping or Stopover checkout). Charge at the office lounge desks, or add the portable power station from the gear list. You can work in the office or stay at your tent.

Can I work productively here? What about connectivity?

Yes — 100Mbps symmetric fiber to the climate-controlled office lounge (20+ tables, 9:00–24:00 daily). The lounge is inside the stay rate for Work&Camp; on Camp or Stopover it is +¥2,000 per adult per night, paid on site. Day visitors pay ¥2,000, or ¥1,200 for a half day of 4 hours or less. Sockets and USB-C at the lounge desks for phone/laptop charging. Paid field AC is the two pump-room spots (add it on the camping or Stopover checkout). Many guests ship code all week and soak at Manza or Kusatsu on the weekend.

Which days can I check in?

Check-in is Fri, Sat & Sun only, from 12:00. Mondays are checkout only (by 11:00) — we don't take Monday check-ins; charters and events book any day of the week. Mon–Thu are not arrival days, but you can stay straight through them, because the restriction is on the day you arrive, not the length of your stay. A Sunday arrival can run to Friday. Please don't drive up midweek without a booking that started earlier.

What time should I arrive?

Check-in opens at 12:00, and we recommend arriving by 16:00 — especially on a first stay or with a rental tent. This is a remote mountain top at 1,444 m: after sunset there is no city glow, and the field is deliberately unlit (the star-filled sky is the point), so night falls fast and pitching a tent in the dark as a beginner is miserable. Arrive in daylight, pitch calmly, then enjoy the stars. In autumn and winter the sun sets early — aim even earlier.

Which days are you open?

Open Days for public camping are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday — the host is on-site those days, and on Monday morning for checkouts. Monday–Thursday are charter-only: the mountain belongs to one group. Already checked-in guests may stay through midweek. Reservation only; no walk-ups.

Can I come by train without a car?

Yes — the most reliable route is the Kusatsu-Shima Ltd. Express to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, then a Toyota rental car (~30 min). There is no direct bus from that station to the ranch. Alternatively, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Karuizawa and the Seibu Kanko M-line bus to 嬬恋牧場愛妻の鐘. Karuizawa-origin arrivals are 13:19 and 15:29. The 09:58 downhill leaves before checkout and the staffed desk — arrange an early out in advance. Ship gear with the Gear Concierge (¥500/parcel). Use the trip planner on Access for the live sheet.

Is there a bus stop at the ranch?

Yes — 「嬬恋牧場愛妻の鐘」 on the Seibu Kanko Bus M-line (Kusatsu–Karuizawa via Manza), at the ranch entrance. About 3 buses per day each way. Karuizawa-origin arrivals are 13:19 and 15:29. The 09:58 downhill leaves before the staffed desk. Re-check NAVITIME or the trip planner before you travel.

Is drinking water available?

Water comes from the on-site well — it's used for showers and cooking, and it passed the official 11-item water-quality test on Aug 8, 2026 (Gunma Analysis Center — every tested item within the standards; the certificate is available to view). Prefer bottled water? Bring your own, or buy drinks, snacks, food, and frozen items at our unmanned store (pay-as-you-go).

What does my booking pay for — and what is extra?

Your payment covers the stay rate. Camp covers your place on the field, the shared kitchen and the toilets. A hot shower is ¥500 a session and the office +¥2,000 per adult per night, both paid on site. Work&Camp is the tier that puts the fiber office, gym, heated lounge and showers inside the nightly rate. A Stopover (車中泊) booking covers the vehicle spot and toilets — electricity is a paid add-on (¥1,000/night; 20m+ guest cord from the building wall), hot shower ¥500 on site, coworking office +¥2,000 per adult per night. Rental tent fees are added at checkout if selected. Everything else is pay-as-you-go — drinks, snacks, ice, firewood, and BBQ gear at the unmanned shop, and the washer-dryer — wash ¥400, dry ¥800 per cycle — into the honesty box (cash or PayPay). No alcohol sold on-site. Shower and cooking water on tap (11-item quality test passed, Aug 2026); bottled water at the unmanned shop, or bring your own.

What's the minimum stay (and how do long stays save)?

One night minimum — we never turn away a one-night guest. Long stays earn automatic discounts on the same pass: 3–5 nights −10%, 6 nights −12%, 7+ nights −15% (from ¥6,114/night for the first guest). A solo 7-night stay runs ≈ ¥42,800 included. The discount applies whatever the length; what the rate includes still depends on the tier — showers and the office sit inside the Work&Camp rate and are paid on site with Camp or Stopover.

Is it suitable for remote workers?

Yes — fiber internet, office desks, an air-conditioned office, the shared kitchen and the gym all come with Work&Camp. Book Camp or Stopover instead and the kitchen is still included, while the office is +¥2,000 per adult per night on site. Quiet hours from 22:00. You still sleep in a tent; this is site use, not a hotel room.

Can I work a full week here off-peak (テレワークキャンプ場)?

Yes — that's exactly who Tsumagoi is built for. Fiber internet to a climate-controlled office at 1,444m, a shared kitchen with microwave and fridge, an unmanned shop for drinks/snacks/meat/veg, hot showers and a heated lounge. Drive in, work the week on the plateau while the weekend crowds are gone, and leave on a quiet off-peak day. A solo 7-night stay is ≈ ¥42,800 all-in at the deepest −15% rate. Public stays cap at 7 nights — for anything longer, contact us about a private charter / Basecamp arrangement.

Can I use the office during a camping stay?

Yes. Camp covers your place on the field, the shared kitchen and the toilets. A hot shower is ¥500 a session and the office +¥2,000 per adult per night, both paid on site. Work&Camp is the tier that puts the fiber office, gym, heated lounge and showers inside the nightly rate. If you are not staying overnight, office day use is ¥2,000, or ¥1,200 for 4 hours or less. Check-in is Fri, Sat & Sun. Reservation only — no walk-ups.

Is Manza Onsen nearby?

Yes — Manza Onsen is about 10–15 minutes by car, one of Japan's highest hot-spring resorts at ~1,800m. Its milky sulphur springs are traditionally sought out for soothing skin and easing tired bodies after a work week (we keep this factual, not medical advice). Soaking there at the weekend and working the plateau on Monday is the rhythm Tsumagoi is built around.

What about food and drinks?

No cooked meals — cook in the shared kitchen or bring food. Basic seasoning on hand; bring favourites. Alcohol not sold on-site. Minimart (cash or PayPay): ice, snacks, cup noodles, microwave meals, drinks.

What is 湯治 (touji), and can I do it here?

Touji is Japan's centuries-old tradition of long, unhurried stays near a hot spring to rest and reset — historically self-catered, at a gentle pace, over days or weeks (see Kusatsu's long touji history). Tsumagoi mirrors that rhythm: a shared kitchen for self-catering, a quiet 1,444m plateau away from crowds, and three storied onsen towns — Kusatsu, Manza, Shima — within an hour to soak at. This is a cultural rest practice, not a medical treatment.

Can I do a short プチ湯治 (petit touji, 2–3 nights)?

Yes — プチ湯治 (a short, modern take on touji) is exactly what a 2–3 night stay here is built for. 3–5 nights already qualify for the long-stay ladder, and the self-catering kitchen and quiet plateau work the same whether you stay 2 nights or 21. Many guests use a weekday petit-touji break to combine a quiet highland reset with a soak at Kusatsu, Manza or Shima.

Which nearby onsen should I visit?

All three nearby onsen towns have long touji traditions: Kusatsu (~35 min while the seasonal Shiga–Kusatsu route is open; ~50–60 min via Mihara in winter) is one of Japan's most famous touji-and-hot-spring towns with acidic sulphur springs; Manza (~10–15 min) sits at ~1,800m with milky sulphur springs traditionally sought out for soothing skin and tired bodies; Shima (~55 min) is a quieter, clear-water valley onsen with its own long history. We keep this factual — any specific 効能 (efficacy) claims come from the onsen operators' own 温泉分析書 (spring analysis reports), not from Tsumagoi.

Click "Book now" to check availability and complete your reservation online. For custom enquiries, group stays, or event bookings, use the chat to talk directly with Kenji.

Can I ship my gear to the campground before my stay?

Yes — the Gear Concierge receives parcels and rental-company shipments on host days (Fri/Sat/Sun) for ¥500 per parcel, and hands them over at check-in. The label must show your name + booking confirmation code + check-in date; parcels are accepted from 7 days before check-in. Schedule delivery for a host day using the courier's delivery-date option. Full instructions on the Gear Concierge page.

How do I ship my gear home after checkout?

Free, via the Ship-Back Desk. Best option: Yamato's round-trip 往復宅急便 — you prepay both legs at home and we simply hand your box to the driver. Rental gear goes back with the prepaid 着払い slip that came in the box. Anything else ships 着払い (you pay the courier at your door). Outbound shipping leaves every Monday.

Can you dry our wet tents after an event?

For corporate and full-venue charter events only — yes. Leave the wet tents with their storage bags and we air-dry them in the yard, ¥3,000 per tent (arranged with your charter, not bookable online). Dried gear goes back into your own bags — no box packing. You arrange the Yamato return pickup at the campground, tell us the date in advance, and pay the courier directly. A signed damage waiver (免責) is required. Not available for regular camping stays.

Are fireworks allowed?

Handheld and fountain toy fireworks (がん具煙火) — yes, welcome. They need no permit, and with no neighbors for 7km there is nobody to disturb. Launched and rocket types are not allowed. Use the designated gravel area, keep a bucket of water at hand, skip windy nights, and put cold embers in the ash cans.

Can I bring my own tent sauna?

Yes — BYO tent sauna is welcome: bring your own sauna tent, stove, and cold-plunge tub, and we provide the spot, water access, and fire rules. We do not provide, rent, or operate any sauna ourselves (operator-provided bathing requires a Public Bath House Act permit). Pitch away from tents, keep a water bucket at the stove, embers to the ash cans, never sauna alone.

Can I fly a drone at the ranch?

Yes — the ranch sits outside any DID (populated-area) zone, so daytime line-of-sight flights under 150m need no individual approval. Aircraft registration and Remote ID are still mandatory, night flight needs separate approval, and Aviation Act compliance is the pilot's responsibility. Please don't overfly other guests.

Do quiet hours apply to charter events?

No — on full-venue charter days, quiet hours are lifted: amps, karaoke, live music, and late-night fire circles are genuinely fine, because there are no neighbors within 7km to disturb. On Open Days (public days), quiet hours 22:00–08:00 protect our own campers.

What if the weather forecast turns bad — can I change my dates?

Add Weather Flex (¥1,000) when you book: one free date change up to 48 hours before check-in, same length of stay, no cancellation fees. Without it, date changes follow the normal cancellation ladder. Weather Flex must be added at least 7 days before check-in.

Is my parking place assigned? Are there bay numbers?

No — there are no numbered bays. Park anywhere in the big carpark (100+ spaces) and that vehicle is your room for the night. We take 5 vehicles a night; that is a nightly cap, not a plot, so nothing is assigned. The per-vehicle rate covers 2 adults, the parking place and the toilets (+¥1,000/night each additional adult, max 4 in the vehicle). Electricity is not in the vehicle rate: pull from the pump-room outer wall with your own 20m+ outdoor cord (¥1,000/night, cap 2). Driving onto the grass is 4WD only, at your own risk; sleeping on the field is Camp price.

How much will it cost on my dates?

The check-in date decides the rate row, not the day of the week. Check-ins through 30 Nov pay the opening row: Camp ¥3,000/night for the first adult, Work&Camp ¥6,500, Stopover ¥2,500 per vehicle. From 1 Dec the standard row applies: Camp ¥5,200, Work&Camp ¥7,200, Stopover ¥3,500. Additional adults and nights add from there and long stays discount automatically. Arrivals are Fri, Sat & Sun. Pick your dates and party on /reserve — the exact total for those dates is shown before you pay.

Can I add rental gear after I have booked?

Yes. Rental gear is normally picked in the booking flow, and the published rates are on /equipment. Once booked, message us on LINE or reply to your confirmation email with what you want, at least 2 days before check-in; we confirm availability and add it — heaters are one of each, so stock is confirmed, not guaranteed. Bedding, furniture and anything not on the list are procured on request the same way (paid). Rental tents are the shell only — no beds or bedding.

How do I cancel or change my reservation?

Open /reserve?manage=true (the "manage my reservation" link in your confirmation email and on LINE goes there), enter your confirmation code and the email you booked with, and cancel from there. The refund follows the days before check-in on the ranch's calendar: 7+ days 100% refund, 4–6 days 70%, 2–3 days 50%, the day before, the day of, or a no-show 0%. Date changes follow the same ladder unless you added Weather Flex at booking. If we close the venue for a weather warning or disaster, everything paid is refunded.

Is there a day-use onsen nearby?

Yes. Manza Onsen (about 1,800 m) is about 10 minutes by car on the Manza Highway, 15 on snow — the road stays open all year. Several inns take day visitors and each has its own reception window and last soak: 万座プリンスホテル (reception 11:00–16:00, last soak 15:00); 万座温泉日進舘 (reception 10:00–17:00, last soak 16:00); 豊国館 (reception 08:30–16:30, last soak 15:30); 湯の花旅館 (reception 10:00–16:00, last soak 16:00); 万座高原ホテル (reception 11:00–18:00, last soak 17:00); 万座ホテルジュラク (reception 12:30–13:30, last soak 13:30); 万座亭 (reception 11:30–18:00, last soak 17:00). Mixed outdoor baths on the official list: 万座プリンスホテル、豊国館、湯の花旅館、万座高原ホテル. Kusatsu is about 35 minutes while Route 292 is open and 50–60 minutes via Mihara in winter, when it closes; Shima is about 55 minutes. Fees change, so check the official Manza day-use list before you go: https://www.manzaonsen.gr.jp/dayuse

How fast is the internet? Does Wi-Fi reach the tents?

100Mbps symmetric fiber to the office lounge at 1444 m, and Wi-Fi covers the whole camping field, so a call from your tent works wherever you pitch. The office is inside the Work&Camp rate; with Camp or Stopover it is +¥2,000 per adult per night, paid on site. Desk hours 9:00–24:00.

Dome tent and firepit overlooking autumn mountains

Campground · 嬬恋

Camp & cowork at 1,444 m

Pitch your tent at 1,444 m — fiber desk nearby, dark skies at night.

Two adults, one night, from ¥5,000¥3,000/night · first adult1,444 m · No houses within 7 km

Make a reservation

LIVE RANCH MAP · 3D

Walk the plateau

1,444 m

No entry
Stairs
Bell of Love
Power A/B
No open flame
Ash can

Drag to explore · pinch to zoom

Quiet pad beside the pump

Above the pump room · wooded and set back · longest walk from the carpark (free carts at the entrance). Paid AC is the two pump-room spots.

Powered

Closest to the building stairs

Nearest stairs up to the main building (back entrance). Paid AC is the two pump-room spots.

Powered

Just below the outdoor hearth

Just below the outdoor hearth · mountain view

Beside the outdoor plaza — best for BBQ

Nearest the outdoor yard — best if you’re BBQing there · mountain view

Right of the bell stairs — quieter

Right of the stairs to the bell · mountain view · quieter, fewer people walking past

THE FIELD FROM ABOVE

5 tents. One field.

The whole field takes 5 groups a night. Nobody pitches within earshot of anybody else.

LODGING

Tent Options

Tents: bring your own (free) · rent from ¥1,000/night · staff pitch +¥3,000 (availability-based — ask ahead; waived if pre-pitched)Tent only — this is not glamping. No beds, bedding or mattresses inside; bring your sleeping bag and mat, or ask us on LINE (paid, subject to availability).

Self-pitch, self-cater mountain stay at 1,444m — not a hotel. Nights can hit 10°C even in summer. You pitch your own tent (rentals are the tent shell only — bring your sleeping bag and mat) and cook in the shared kitchen.

Specs & photos on Amazon

Weekend nomad

Friday out of Tokyo, Monday back — 3 nights

Friday — arrive & settle

10:00
Kusatsu-Shima limited express from Ueno
Arrives Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi 12:18. All reserved seats, power outlets — the trip is your first work block.
12:30
Rental car or taxi from the station (~30 min)
13:00
Check in (from 12:00) & pitch your tent
Bring your own tent or rent a bell tent — gear list on the Equipment page.
14:00
Afternoon work block at the fiber desk
18:30
Manza onsen (~10–15 min drive)
20:00
Campfire & dinner under the stars

2 nights −5% / 3 nights −10% apply automatically. These are Work&Camp rates: the fiber office with the door code for the whole night, hot showers unlimited, the gym and the shared kitchen are in the rate. On the Camp plan a shower is ¥500 a session and the daytime office (9:00–24:00) +¥2,000 per adult per night, paid on site.