Travel Stories

If you love running, what is it that you really love about it? For me, running has never been only about speed, distance, or how many kilometres I can finish. Sometimes, I simply enjoy the scenery along the way. Whenever I travel to Japan, I naturally find myself thinking: “I wonder what it would be like to run here.” And somehow, running has become one of my favourite ways to discover a new place.

Join Sora Campers' rooftop-tent overland 4x4 on a deep dive into Nishinoshima, Oki Islands — from the sea-carved wonders of Kuniga Coast, to a face-to-face encounter with wild Oki horses, conquering the 257-metre Matengai Cliff, and a charcoal-grilled Wagyu dinner under the Milky Way at Shimane-hana Campsite. Rent a rooftop-tent camper from Osaka and start your own unhurried adventure into Japan's hidden edge of the world.

Today’s itinerary is nothing short of legendary. We are crossing the wild waters of the Sea of Japan to explore the most rugged, untamed, and jaw-dropping island in the Oki archipelago: Nishinoshima Island! Oki Islands. The landscape here is completely unshielded by trees—just endless vertical cliffs, rolling emerald-green pastures, and wild Oki horses roaming freely against the ocean backdrop. It’s easy to see why this mystical place is widely celebrated as Japan's very own

For this adventure, our coordinates were set right next to the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route—a trail steeped in thousands of years of spiritual history. Our destination? Sam’s Camp. What followed was an incredible Wakayama road trip blending wild mountain camping, fresh Kuroshio ocean delicacies, and Japan's most dramatic coastal geology.

When most people think of a self-drive road trip in Japan, they imagine renting a standard compact car, following basic GPS routes to crowded tourist spots, and staying in traditional hotels every night. This time, Sora Campers is here to completely rewrite the rules.

## Rediscovering True Freedom in Nature When traveling with a pet, the goal is rarely about ticking off famous landmarks. What truly matters is whether you can slow down together — and breathe comfortably side by side. In Japan, while pets are allowed on buses and trains, the multiple transfers, long journeys, and various restrictions can quietly drain both energy and enjoyment. This time, we chose a different way. Together with Renny, we set off on a journey that felt genuin