Speaking as someone who lives here ful time and rides and camps all the time and all over Japan I can say with 100% certainty that the statement is not entirely true at all.
I would say 60% of the free camp sites do not have showers while 40% do
But there has only been 1 been a paid camp ground with no shower and hat was a prefectorial campground in Ehime in Shikoku.
Every other paid camp ground I have stayed at has showers. Now they may still be a paid shower but they are there.

We campervan around japan every couple of years and stay at Michi no Eki but use the app to filter those with onsen attached or nearby.

Have you free camped overnight in parks?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And sometimes there are MichiNoEkis that have a coin shower. But that is a bit rare.

I prefer to use the Onsens anyway. But they are not always available in the area where you are, or sometimes for a high price.

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2011 Overland from Amsterdam to Nepal and back
2018 Overland from Amsterdam to Tokyo via Central Asia and Mongolia

The short answer is Yes.
The slightly longer answer is depends on what kind of park and where. Some parks in certain times of year it is ok and many it is not.

Onsen are great and you can find them or a cento ( bath house) in many places.
The least I can recall paying for an Onsen was about 350 yen where the most expensive one I have visited was 1,000 yen.

Hah! Thats so funny. Well, good to know there are showers out there. We found one in a Riders House (train) in the rain of Hokkaido after 1 month of camping. Thought we hit the lotto. We have seen more free use washing machine than showers.

A few more details regarding to this great thread.

KM PER DAY
Its hard to roll up many kms per day. On the other hand there is plenty to see, so there is no real need to do so. But traffic, stoplights and grannies that stop suddenly and park in the middle of the road all serve to hinder forward progress.

In Hokkaido it is possible to get 300km in a day. Lots of nature, twisties and long straight fast sections help. There is less urban areas and more foxes (and a few bears and deer). In fact, local Japanese riders come expressly to stretch their motolegs cuz they can't in the south. That and cheap Rider Houses help.

Meanwhile in the south, the stoplights every 800m, the heat and humidity all press down, and I found 200 km a good target. There are, however, plenty of great zigzag roads where we could roll at 75kph nicely (yes it is speeding, i just kept up with the locals) I never looked for them, but MapsMe found them. There must be many.)

If you do feel the need to eat up the kms, probably best to do it early, between 5am and 10am. It is easy since the sun wakes you at 0430hrs and shopping starts at 10hrs. The local Japanese riders in the RH all bail early, most likely since they have been asleep since sundown dark 18hrs.

GIFTS
The Japanese are said to be timid and correct. On the other hand we find folks open and ready to laugh big. Maybe we get a pass as a tourist Gaijin but one that has made an effort to come on personal transport.

Parents usher their kids to welcome us and offer sweets on ferries. We have dined and ed at campings.

People rush to find and offer us food, tea, sauna towels, second-hand origami, stickers, tomatoes, apples... One beach sunset we shared some boiled peas and a wiskey. One hot humid miserable afternoon at a MichiNoEki we gratefully accepted an ice cream.

Several folks have come just to practice french with us. And they love the group selfie idea, its payment enough.

As we stand outside*7eleven*for the free WiFi, people come out with coffees… all interested in our bikes and what we’re doing. Cool.

GARBAGE
Camping and periodically making meals (rather than eating bento chez 7eleven) I generate lots of garbage.

Japan is not so ecolo. Every thing is triple wrapped in a plastic bag box and wrapper. So garbage is big. But everything is super separated including bottle cap and bottle label has a bin. (The number of people who are sleeping in their car, motor running for A/C is shocking).

So the best likelihood of finding a garbage can is at the convenience store, but it's not guaranteed. In some municipalities, you return your garbage to the store who sold you the stuff/bottle/bag.

It was particularly difficult in Hokkaido where the campings and Rider Houses had clear signs to 'take your garbage with you.' Difficult for the riders.

OIL CHANGE
I have done one and very shortly I will be doing another, so much is the zigzagging to see the sights.

Turns out that all the 'Home Center' style stores carry acceptable oil (Honda10w30, Yamalube 10w40 as well as other known western brands like Castrol)

Best of all, for 3 euros they sell an oil drain box. A cardboard box, plastic lined and filled with recycled absorbent material. You drain the crank directly, and then the box gets closed and goes into the combustables bin. So easy.

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2023 back in Japan on the road after COVID, 2019 Paris Siberia Japan tbd -2010 WR250R; 2015-2016 Paris-Mongolia and Paris-Silk Road; 2011-2013 Canada Ushuaia

ELECTRICITY
Turns out that just plugging into a socket to charge your phone or other electronics is considered theft. I tried one time in an onsen and got the magic eye. On one ferry every available socket was taped over. Ive seen plenty of NO PLUG IN signs.

There are opportunities however. In some of the convenience stores they have a table to sit and take yout meal, and they often have sockets available. (110v type 2 prong).

However when camping it is hard. Next to the distributing machines is an outside socket that looks like a plastic box. Sometimes you can find this type of box on the outside back wall of the toilet block.

Failing that it may be possible to find the plug that connects to the washlets or the automatic sink (they all need power) - if you tuck up your wires and gear you might get away with it.

Maybe best is to just ask to plug in.

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2023 back in Japan on the road after COVID, 2019 Paris Siberia Japan tbd -2010 WR250R; 2015-2016 Paris-Mongolia and Paris-Silk Road; 2011-2013 Canada Ushuaia

This is such a good thread, a great summary of a wonderful place, I thought I would compile/list some great resources for travel in Japan:

Here are some of the sites i used:

https://www.motorcycleparadise.net/2...wo-wheels.html
top info. Warren deserves kudos.

https://www.madornomad.com/guides/asia/japan/
great blog info. Also other countries. Was current until everything is on covid lockdown.
https://www.madornomad.com/resources...ycle-shipping/

https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel...m_information/

Information for overlanders | Japan on two wheels
aka
inmate chris of japan
https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...chris-of-japan

https://www.japan-guide.com/

https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Main_Page

Facebook Gaijinriders

https://www.japan-guide.com/news/alerts.html

https://www.rental819.com/english/traffic-rules/

Free camping and Michi no eki map. Very nice resource.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/1492385404393013/

Here is a rough copy/paste:
Map for FREE CAMPING, FREE HOT SPRINGS and MICHI-NO-EKI's (Roadside stations) all over Japan.<br><br>Icons explanation on this link -> https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...gm.17433138826 33496&type=3<br><br>Before you start...<br>The locations contained within this map are the result of months of hard working with city local authorities, tourists associations and also from travelers adding new locations from within this map.<br><br>Don't forget to subscribe to: Free Hot Springs and Free Camping in Japan https://www.facebook.com/groups/wildcampingjapan/ <br>and our group of cycling touring and hiking in Japan: https://www.facebook.com/groups/alt.2600/<br><br>If you like the map, contribute by adding a new location yourself like an undiscovered spot, your best interesting place or reporting an issue via our facebook group (Please send us the address or coordinates). <br><br>We also have a Cycling Touring Hiking and Friends in Japan group:<br>https://www.facebook.com/groups/alt.2600/ <br><br>The map also includes onsens under JPY500 and hostels up to JPY3,500 and around 1000 "Michi no Eki". <br>Michi-no-Eki means “Roadside Station” in Japanese. The Michi-no-Eki system was launched 20 years ago to create a safe, comfortable road traffic environment, and unique, lively spaces that showcased the individuality of a region.<br>Each Michi-no-Eki has three distinct features:<br>“Refresh” – Rest facilities that include free 24-hour parking and restrooms.<br>“Community” – Regional co-operation where cultural centers, tourist attractions, recreation and other local development facilities promote interaction with the region. “Information” – Where road, tourist and emergency care information is readily available.<br>Free Wi-Fi, toilets, shops, restaurants, parkings, information centers, fax, credit cards, post offices, some with camping and onsen, and much more!<br><br>Japan is usually perceived as a very expensive country to visit; however, it is actually very possible to travel in Japan on a very tight budget. Perhaps the biggest way of massively cutting down your expenses is to do wild camping. You can effectively reduce your travel costs to food and admission fees alone.<br><br>As per my knowledge wild camping on public land is theoretically illegal and wild camping on private <br>property requires the landowner's permission. My personal opinion is that, if you pitch up a tent or even sleep on a bench in an out-of-the-way place so that you don't disturb anybody and don't make a <br>mess, you're unlikely to be disturbed either. <br><br>1) Here are some tips from other sites:<br><br>- Pitch your tent late and head out early. <br>- Respect for the interests of other people. <br>- Act with courtesy, consideration and awareness. <br>- Care for the environment. <br>- Take responsibility for your actions. Remember that the outdoors cannot be made risk free. <br>- Act with care at all times for your own safety and that of others and be as discreet and as <br><br>unobtrusive as you can. <br>- It should also be noted that you should try to be nomad as much as possible, i.e. stay no more than 2<br><br>-3 consecutive nights at one place.<br>- If police ask you to move – then do so, and ask them where it would be OK to camp for the night. They <br><br>should be friendly – especially to a tourist who is only at that spot for one night. (Living 25yrs in <br><br>Japan, I've never heard about whats the fine for wild camping)<br>- On private properties always ask for permission to landowner's.<br>- Look after the places you visit and enjoy and leave the land as you find it. <br><br>Fortunately, you can benefit from the "foreigner factor", which makes everyone much more tolerant of <br><br>you. However, it is a good idea to keep in mind that you are indeed doing an activity that stands on the <br><br>margins of society, and so you should strive to be as discreet and respectful as possible when camping, <br><br>so as to give the idea that you are a respectful traveler rather than a rude foreigner trying to <br><br>freeload off Japan and its people.<br><br>2) Rural Areas<br>Small towns' public parks will almost always be perfect. However, there are a few other possible ways to <br><br>sleep in rural areas. <br><br>- In rural areas, you can often find shrines at such places, make yourself known to the neighbors first. <br><br>Shrines are always open (as opposed to temples which usually close for the night), usually empty, and <br><br>they give a terrain for you to sleep on. <br><br>- Even though temples close for the night, it is usually possible to sleep in the parking lot of the <br><br>temples (if it is a rural temple). If you arrive at a temple and there is someone there (a monk or <br><br>someone tending the grounds), you can ask them if there is anywhere you can sleep. Sometimes, they will <br><br>direct you to the parking lot and they will let you use the temple's facilities. Obviously, if they tell <br><br>you that you cannot sleep there, be respectful and don't sleep in the parking lot. <br><br>- Michi-no-eki (meaning "Road Station") are rest stops on the side of the road all over Japan. There are <br><br>always toilets, vending machines, etc. You can almost always find rest huts there. Some michi-no-eki are <br><br>open 24h so you can sometimes sleep inside. <br><br>- If there is really nothing available, you can usually sleep in empty, out-of-the-way parking lots. <br><br>- In rural Japan, pretty much anywhere where you do not bother other people or step on private property <br><br>is a good spot (ex: shore, beach, forest, under a bridge...). Note that fields are private property and <br><br>by sleeping there you also destroy people's fields, which is not very nice.<br><br>- There are over 3,000 campsites all over Japan with prices ranging from 200 to 1,000 yen per night <br><br>(*Some of them for free) <br><br>3) Washing yourself<br>For washing yourself, there are a few methods. <br><br>- Public parks and toilets<br><br>- If the weather is warm, you can wash in public parks, using available water. Sometimes the parks have <br><br>toilets for handicapped people, which usually consist of a room with a toilet and sink, and is lockable; <br><br>very convenient for washing ! <br><br>- Public baths and onsen<br><br>- If it's cold outside or you do not want to wash in public parks or toilets, you can go to onsen (hot <br><br>springs) or sento (public baths). In practice there is no real difference between the two, so just ask <br><br>for the cheapest (they are usually around 400 yen). <br><br>- Internet cafes. In the big internet cafes there are sometimes showers available. They are usually free <br><br>(if you also use the computers) but there is some fee. By the way, almost all Internet Cafes "unlimited <br><br>free drinks" policy! <br><br>4) Washing your clothes<br><br>- For washing your clothes, you can do it by hand or find laundromats (coin laundry), which can be found <br><br>pretty much anywhere.<br><br><br>Note: This procedure has worked well for me, but despite of our best efforts it is possible that some <br>information of this group may be inaccurate, incomplete or out of date, so please contact in advance to ensure availability and use at your own risk. I'm not responsible for the use and accuracy of these information. Thank you for your understanding.<br><br>Enjoy!<br>james<br><br>Note: <br>Do not copy and edit without written permission.<br>Copy Rights James Oda (alt.2600.jp@gmail.com)

Camping sites (use Google auto translate)
https://www.nap-camp.com/

Rentals
https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/j...-2022.1552199/

__________________
2023 back in Japan on the road after COVID, 2019 Paris Siberia Japan tbd -2010 WR250R; 2015-2016 Paris-Mongolia and Paris-Silk Road; 2011-2013 Canada Ushuaia