15-[Tips for campervan travel] Go dive into Izumi Hot spring Campground

Tips for Campervan Travel from Expert Taishi Kawanami/川南　大士

Written by Interpreter Noriko

Izumi Hot spring Campground

Places to Stop Along the Way to Izumi Onsen Campground
BBQ at Izumi Onsen Campground
What makes Izumi Onsen Special?

１．Places to Stop Along the Way to Izumi Onsen Campground

It’s a leisurely drive of just over an hour on regular roads from the starting point of our campervan trip to our destination, Izumi Onsen Campground.

We stopped at two places along the way.

The route is below:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/TEiauAkQa7LzGH5n8

On the way to the campground, I absolutely love stopping here and there to sample local specialties and pick up souvenirs—it really gets me excited on a campervan trip. I bet you feel the same way, right? This time, I’d like to share some of my favorite spots to stop along the way.

MOTHER’S Plus

This shop offers fresh eggs from a poultry farm in Shiraoi Town, and the egg-based desserts—such as pudding and cream puffs—made with these eggs are incredibly delicious, with a rich, creamy flavor.

Camping car-friendly parking lot

The store is designed to evoke the atmosphere of a chicken farm—a concept unique to poultry farms—and the building itself has even won a Good Design Award. When you step inside, you might actually feel like you’re inside a chicken coop. Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Loaded with fresh eggs

There’s a cozy little plaza outside the store, which makes for a great spot to take a break on sunny days!

For breakfast tomorrow morning, I bought two kinds of fresh eggs, and of course, I couldn’t resist getting some cream puffs and soft-serve pudding.

I couldn’t wait to try the soft-serve ice cream pudding, so I dug right in. There’s pudding underneath the soft-serve. The rich pudding and the soft-serve blended perfectly—it was absolutely delicious!

licked the bowl clean—it was divine!

Well, now that our bellies are happily full, it’s time to head to the campground!

We’re driving along the coast. The sun is shining brightly, the sea is sparkling, and the scenery is breathtaking. Camping van trips really lift your spirits.

Squid are being sun-dried

Tarakoya Kojyohama

Located in Shiraoi, a coastal town, they process and sell pollock roe harvested from Kojyohama. In addition to pollock roe, visitors can purchase overnight-dried mackerel and salmon. An eat-in area is also available.

I had the munchies so I bought three kinds of croquettes—crab cream, scallop cream, and Shiraoi beef—and treated ourselves to a second snack break with the ocean as my backdrop. The croquettes are fried to order and served piping hot. They were all absolutely perfect—hot, fluffy, and full of flavor.

Other Recommended Places to Visit

UPOPOY（An outdoor cultural museum recreating an Ainu village. Visitors can explore exhibits and experience traditional folk dances.）
Farm Restaurant Uemura（A restaurant offering Shiraoi Wagyu, a premium brand of beef. The menu ranges from high-end steaks to casual burgers.
Kanigoten market（A restaurant known for its massive bear sculpture visible from the street. Their rice bowl with crab is amazing—I’ll report back on it next time!
Shiraoi shinsui park（Spring Water Spot）

２．BBQ at Izumi Onsen Campground！

It took about 10 minutes by camper van from the Tarakoya to reach Izumi Campground.

Looking down from the small hill at Izumi Onsen Campground, you could see the ocean.

What a great location! Awesome!!

It’s luxurious to be able to enjoy a BBQ or morning coffee while taking in the magnificent views of the (Atlantic? → Actually, the Pacific).

This campground features a hot spring and sauna facility, offers park golf with the ocean as a scenic backdrop, and has a kids’ area and a dog park.

Couples and families are sure to have a lovely time together.

Check-in and payment are handled at the hot spring front desk.

Basic Camping Fees (Site Fee + Admission Fee)

Site Fee: 2,200 yen (Each site accommodates up to 6 people)

Admission Fee: Adults: 1,000 yen
　　　　　Elementary school children: 500 yen
　　　　　Preschoolers: 300 yen

Cheers to the first BBQ of the year while the sun is still smiling down on us!

Sizzling meat and veggies on the grill—yumyum

It’s such a treat to eat while gazing at the ocean!

I love grilling cherry tomatoes on the barbecue. Cooking them makes the inside soft and brings out their natural sweetness.

I highly recommend you give it a try

Stomach break time when the belly is about 80% full.

Time to explore the campground! Heading toward the ocean!

On the hilltop overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean, there are benches where you can bring your own drinks and enjoy a chat while gazing out at the sea.

3．What makes Izumi Onsen Special?

Now that we’ve strolled around, it’s long-awaited hot spring time!

When you stay at Izumi Onsen Campground, your stay includes a hot spring ticket. Just show the ticket when you enter, and your admission is good for as many visits as you like. Isn’t that great?

The hot spring water flows directly from the natural source. Perhaps because of that, the indoor bath is a bit on the hot side. My daughter only dipped her feet in briefly, decided it was too hot, and headed straight for the open-air bath.

The Atlantic Ocean view from the open-air bath

The water isn’t as hot as in the indoor bath. What truly amazed me, though, was how my skin felt silky smooth the moment I stepped into the water—as if I’d just applied lotion. My skin feels so soft and smooth

My daughter and I sat gazing out at the ocean, letting our tired minds and bodies recharge. It was bittersweet to realize that the little girl I used to carry and bathe has grown up enough to wash my back now…

In the evening, we clinked glasses for the second time today in our camper van!