I was quite poor when I first arrived in Kumamoto. During a jog one day, I stumbled across a discarded tent in the garbage, so I hauled it home. A gas lantern, a konro, and two sleeping bags later, and my wife and I were ready to go. We didn’t have a car then so took buses, found a decent plot nearby and just camped there. Once, we were camping on the grounds of a hotel in Aso (it was the only flat space available), and an attendant came out to check on us. All he said was, “Be careful with your fire.” Another time, I was camping on a beach in Ashikita directly beneath sign that said “No Camping,” and when the patrol came by, they didn’t bother me.
Point: if you’re quiet and leave the area cleaner than when you arrived (the locals WILL notice this), you can camp pretty much anywhere in Japan - for free. Train, bus, car - get out there and enjoy the beautiful nature Kumamoto has to offer This New Yorker article prompted this thought. - William
