Ise-Shima Everglades glampingShima, Japan
You could almost be forgiven for thinking you’d washed up on a lake somewhere in the USA – especially when you see the canoe tied to your jetty and the enormous steaks served for dinner – but this unique property is located near Shima city on Japan’s east coast, about 500 kilometres southwest of Tokyo. Part of a well-established campground in a popular seaside area that’s famous for pearl farming, these permanent waterside structures opened in May 2014.
Each has an outdoor bath, bonfire for after-hours marshmallow roasting and a hammock for relaxed staring, whether you’re looking up into the cloudless sky, watching the waterbirds on the lake or counting stars after dark. During the day take a canoe out for a paddle on the water, or head out onto the peninsula to see sacred Shinto shrines or visit Mikimoto Pearl Island and museum.
Prices start from about US$320 a night.