[Iwate Prefecture] A new way to enjoy campervan life: How to enjoy "Yu YOU Park" in Iwate Prefecture

Are you familiar with a facility called "YuYOU Park " where you can enjoy overnight stays in your campervan and hot spring baths ?

This is a type of overnight parking facility called an " RV park ," which is different from auto camping , and "湯" represents a hot spring.

As of September 2024, there are 10 "YuYOU Parks" in the six prefectures of Tohoku, but this article will introduce three of them located in Iwate Prefecture.

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What is an RV park for sleeping in your car?

TheJapan RV Association(JRVA) is an organization comprised of companies related to campervans, and its goal is to establish a campervan culture in Japan.

In addition to certifying RV parks and conducting awareness campaigns to improve the manners of campervan users, we also operate the campervan owners' club " Kuruma Tabi Club" (Car Travel Club )

Japan Recreational Vehicle Association <Information>

• Name of organization: Japan Recreational Vehicle Association (JRVA)
• Address: 905 Takeo 2nd Building, 2-7-19 Shin-Yokohama, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
• Phone number: Not listed
• URL:JRVA Official Website

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"Car Travel Club" and its benefits

Membership requires an initiation fee and an annual membership fee, but members can use facilities within the RV park that are exclusive to members, and they also receive special benefits at events hosted or sponsored by JRVA

The club also offers discounts on ferry fares and gifts for each ferry company, as well as discounts on campervan rental fees, making it a beneficial club for those traveling by car

There are courses available for those who do not own a camper van to join, and ordinary car owners can also become members and enjoy sleeping in their cars

In addition to RV parks, there are plenty of other places to stay overnight

In addition to RV parks, JRVA has set up car camping spots that can be enjoyed for various purposes

A car camping park that can be used even if you are not a member of the Kuruma Tabi Club

• RV park: Regardless of the type of facility, 24-hour toilets, 100V power, garbage disposal, etc. are available
• Kuruma Tabi Park: Club members can use the service at a discounted price and receive various benefits

Car camping park exclusively for Car Travel Club members

• Yu YOU Park: You can sleep in your car while enjoying the hot springs in the parking lot of a hot spring inn or hotel
• Gourmet Park: You can stay overnight in the parking lot of a restaurant or other food establishment after eating
• Train Park: You can sleep in your car in the parking lots of railway-related facilities such as stations
• Minpaku: Located in an area where there are no accommodation facilities, you can stay as if you were staying at a private lodging

Car Travel Club <Information>

• Company name: Kuruma Tabi Club Co., Ltd
• Address: 860 New State Manor, 2-23-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
• Phone number: 050-1743-5440 (weekdays 10:00-12:00, 13:00-15:00)
• URL:Kuruma Tabi Club Official Website

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Introducing Iwate Prefecture's "Yu YOU Park" in detail!

This car camping park is exclusively for members of the Kuruma Tabi Club, where you can sleep in your car in the parking lots of 110 hot spring inns and hotels across the country and bathe in the inn's hot springs

Some inns offer optional meals, allowing you to enjoy a hot spring inn at a cheaper price than a regular stay

There are 10 registered inns in the six Tohoku prefectures, and Iwate Prefecture is home to three Yu YOU Parks, which we will introduce next

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Hanamaki Onsen

Hanamaki Onsen, known as a representative hot spring resort in Iwate Prefecture, has a large parking lot for tourist buses with a Yu YOU Park that can accommodate five vehicles

Of the four hotels in the Hanamaki Onsen Hotel chain, the toilets and water supply at "Hotel Senshukaku," which is closest to the parking lot for overnight stays in vehicles, are available (no electricity).

Please note that the toilets inside Senshukaku are available for use from 6:00 to 22:00, but outside of these times, you can use the outdoor toilets near the parking lot

There is a discount on day-use bathing fees, and guests can use the hotel's bakery and dining facilities

Check-in starts at 12:00, and you will need to obtain a parking permit at the hotel front desk. Check-out and return the permit by 10:00 the next day

Hanamaki Onsen <Information>

• Facility name: Hanamaki Onsen Hotel Senshukaku
• Address: 125 Yumoto 1st District, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0198-37-2111
• URL:Hanamaki Onsen Official Website

GOOGLE MAP

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Oshu Hiraizumi Hot Springs Sobaan Shizukatei

Located in the countryside of Hiraizumi near Chusonji Temple, this hot spring inn is renowned for its hand-made soba noodles. Car camping reservations can be made up until noon three days in advance, and dinner and breakfast can be booked up until noon the day before

Check-in is from 3pm to 7pm, and check-out is anytime between 10am the next day

Bathing is available from 4pm to 11pm, water is available from 7am to 9pm, and toilets are available from 6:30am to 10pm. There is no 100v power supply, but a generator can be used until 10pm and after 6am

Please note that you will not be able to use the baths when there are no guests staying at the inn, so please check before using

You may also be able to have your garbage disposed of for free, so please ask

Oshu Hiraizumi Onsen Sobaan Shizukatei ＜Information＞

• Facility name: Oshu Hiraizumi Onsen Sobaan Shizukatei
• Address: 10-5 Nagakura Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0191-34-2211
• URL:Oshu Hiraizumi Onsen Soba-an Shizuka-tei Official Website

GOOGLE MAP

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Kamenoi Hotel Ichinoseki (formerly Kanpo no Yado Ichinoseki)

Reservations can be made online, and check-in is between 10:00 and 21:00, with check-out anytime between 10:00 and 10:00 the following morning

If you would like to order meals, please make a reservation for both breakfast and dinner by the day before

The hot springs are open from 5:00 to 9:00 and from 12:00 to midnight, and the toilets are available 24 hours a day. However, between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM, you will need to call the night security guard via intercom to have them open the door

There is only one 100V power outlet in the park, but portable power sources are available for rental

You can also have your garbage disposed of at this facility for a fee

Kamenoi Hotel Ichinoseki <Information>

• Facility name: Kamenoi Hotel Ichinoseki
• Address: 147-5 Horyu, Genbi-cho, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0191-29-2131
• URL:Kamei Hotel Ichinoseki Official Website

GOOGLE MAP

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summary

Recently, car camping trips using roadside stations and other places have become popular, but the lack of etiquette by some people has become a problem, and an increasing number of roadside stations are banning car camping

That's why " RV parks " are attracting attention; they're cheaper than auto campgrounds, easy to use, and allow you to enjoy overnight stays in your vehicle with peace of mind .

In addition to " YuYOU Park " introduced here , there are many other facilities that are registered as RV parks, so you can enjoy using them according to the purpose of your trip.