🍁3 Days 2 Nights Campervan Road Trip 2: Kansai’s Twin Silver Grass Paradises × Wakaura Bay

Autumn Mountains & Ocean Road Trip : Chasing Golden Pampas Grass & Ocean Breezes 3-Day/2-Night In-Depth Campervan Guide

From mid-October to mid-November, the deep mountains and highlands of Kansai enter their most poetic season of the year.

As the silver grass of Soni Highland in Nara shimmers with golden hues across mountain-ringed valleys, the ridgelines of Oishi Highland in Wakayama roll with vast silver waves against the sweeping sunsets over the Kii Channel. Linking these two peak silver-grass destinations of Kansai creates an extraordinary journey of visual splendor and untamed wilderness.

To navigate the chilly autumn highland nights and preserve complete flexibility along winding mountain roads, a fully equipped campervan is the ideal choice. Picking up a vehicle from SORA CAMPERS in Izumisano, Osaka—conveniently situated right near Kansai International Airport—eliminates the hassle of pitching tents and hauling heavy gear.

Starting from Izumisano, you can chart a seamless 300-kilometer "mountain-to-sea loop" across Osaka, Nara, and Wakayama.

Route Overview

Start / End Point: 

Izumisano City, Osaka (Pick up & drop off at SORA CAMPERS base)

Total Mileage: 

Approx. 290–310 km

Recommended Season: 

Mid-October to mid-November (crisp autumn weather, peak silver grass bloom)

Trip Highlights

Day 1: Pick up vehicle at SORA CAMPERS, Izumisano

➔ Asuka Village (exploring ancient terraced fields)

➔ Grocery run in Uda

➔ Soni Highland (strolling around Okame Pond for backlit golden silver grass)

➔ Overnight camping in Soni Village (soaking at Okame-no-Yu Onsen)

Day 2: Morning glow at Soni

➔ Cruising Route 370 through the Kii Mountains

➔ Summiting Oishi Highland (ridgeline campervan parking, stunning sunset at Hiage Rock, highland stargazing & Milky Way)

Day 3: Morning mist and sea of clouds at Oishi Highland

➔ Wakaura & Kuroshio Market (tuna cutting show, seaside seafood BBQ)

➔ Saikazaki & Bansho Garden (cliffside seaside garden)

➔ Return via Hanwa Expressway to Izumisano for vehicle drop-off

3-Day/2-Night Detailed Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: From Asuka's Pastoral Fields to the Golden Valley — Ancient Capital Trails and Soni's Gilded Grass

Morning: Departing from Izumisano & Exploring Asuka Village

After completing a quick vehicle pickup and equipment walkthrough at the SORA CAMPERS Izumisano base (the campervan comes fully equipped with a comfortable mattress, onboard refrigerator, outdoor table and chairs, and a power system, saving you time and effort), set your navigation and hit the road.

Drive eastward along the Keinawa Expressway or the Minami-Hanna Road; in just about an hour, you will arrive at Asuka Village, often hailed as the "spiritual heartland of Japan."

In autumn, the terraced rice fields of Asuka have just been harvested, filling the air with the rustic fragrance of the earth. Cruise leisurely along countryside roads in your campervan, stopping briefly at the Ishibutai Tumulus and the Inabuchi Terraced Rice Fields to immerse yourself in the quiet, timeless charm of the Asuka period.

Lunch Recommendation: Savor a wholesome set meal prepared with freshly harvested seasonal Asuka vegetables at a traditional kominka cafe in the village (such as Café Kotodama).

Midday: Grocery Restock & Mountain Ascent

Bidding farewell to Asuka Village, follow National Routes 166 and 370 through Uda City toward Soni Village.

Restock Tips: Before heading deep into the mountains, stock up on outdoor ingredients, local Wagyu beef, hot-pot broth, and drinking water in downtown Uda (such as Marutaka Uda store or Roadside Station Udarji Ouda). With an onboard refrigerator in your campervan, fresh ingredients can be stored without worry.

Afternoon: Arriving at Soni Highland & Stepping into a Gilded Canvas

Arriving at Soni Village, park your vehicle or settle into your campsite.

Golden Hour Photography: Walk into Soni Highland, where a sprawling 40-hectare basin of silver grass shimmers with brilliant, liquid gold in the low afternoon sun. Follow the wooden boardwalk circling the central Okame Pond (Okame-ike), its surface mirroring the swaying grass plumes. If you have energy to spare, hike along the trail halfway up Mount Kuroso to look down upon the golden valley unfolding below like a colossal bowl.

Autumn Limited Event (Yamato-e / Mountain Lantern Festival): On late-autumn weekends, hundreds of bamboo lanterns are lit along the perimeter of Okame Pond at dusk. Their warm, flickering glow weaves into the twilight, evoking a hidden, enchanted realm straight out of a Studio Ghibli film.

Night: Soothing Onsen & Steaming Stew by the Van

After hiking down the mountain, head over to the neighboring natural hot spring, Soni Highland Onsen Okame-no-Yu (Okame no Yu). Its highly acclaimed open-air bath directly faces the majestic rock faces of Mount Kabuto and Mount Yoroi; soaking in its silky, skin-soothing waters instantly washes away the chill of the mountain breeze.

Return to your campervan, roll out the side awning, set up your folding chairs, and simmer a hearty pot of steaming chanko nabe (hot pot). Accompanied by the soothing rustle of pines in the valley breeze, drift off to sleep in the cozy comfort of your mobile retreat.

Day 2: Crossing the Kii Mountain Range Toward the Ridge of the Wind — Oishi Highland's Mirror of the Sky

Early Morning: Valley Awakening & Pour-Over Coffee

At dawn, Soni Highland is tranquil and free from crowds, with dew-drenched silver grass shimmering a pale silver in the morning light. Slide open the campervan door, brew a cup of hot pour-over coffee with your portable gas stove, savor a warm pressed toastie, and set out lighthearted.

Morning: Cruising through the Kii Mountain Range

Drive your SORA CAMPERS van along National Route 370, cutting across the Kii Mountain Range from the northeast toward the southwest. This route meanders alongside the Yoshino River basin and weaves through deep mountain forests, where the foliage begins to don vivid autumn shades.

Midway Stop: Take a breather at a roadside station (Michi-no-Eki) along the way to sample the regional delicacy of Yoshino and Kishu—kakinoha-zushi (persimmon leaf-wrapped sushi). The fragrant, vinegared rice paired with rich, salted fish provides the perfect energizing bite for the road.

Afternoon: Ascending the 870-Meter Highland Ridge

Winding upward through Kimino Town, ascend to Oishi Highland perched high amidst the clouds. Distinct from Soni Highland's basin cradled by encircling peaks, Oishi Highland is an expansive ridgeline meadow offering unobstructed 360-degree panoramic views.

Park & Camp: Check into Oishi Highland Campsite (Oishi Kogen Camping Ground). Pitching right against vast acres of silver grass truly brings the wilderness right outside your campervan window.

16:30 Peak Spectacle (Hiage Rock & Sunset): Walk toward the highland's iconic cliffside outcrop, Hiage Rock (Hiage-iwa). As the sun dips toward the horizon, a surge of golden light washes over the rolling swells of grass across the ridge, while the distant waters of the Kii Channel shimmer with amber ripples—a breathtaking union of mountain and sea.

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Night: Van-Camping Under a High-Altitude Sea of Stars

With its high elevation, wide-open skies, and minimal light pollution, Oishi Highland ranks among Kansai's premier astrophotography destinations. On deep autumn nights, the Milky Way is clearly visible to the naked eye. Even as brisk gusts sweep across the ridge, retreating inside the well-insulated, sealed cabin of your SORA CAMPERS van lets you stargaze comfortably through the window while enjoying a quiet drink.

Day 3: Dawn Clouds and Rolling Seas — Heading for Wakaura's Ocean Breezes and Fresh Catch

Early Morning: Gilded Plumes and Sea of Clouds

Step outside the van at 06:00, where morning mists across the Kii Mountains frequently pool into a sweeping, rolling sea of clouds beneath your feet. The rising sun bathes the silver grass in another coat of pure gold. After breakfast, skip the tedious chore of dismantling heavy tents—simply pack away your outdoor gear and set off effortlessly.

Midday: Emerging from the Mountains to a Seafood Feast at Kuroshio Market

Descending along the western winding mountain pass, a drive of about an hour takes you straight from the brisk highland chill to Kuroshio Market along Wakayama's coast.

Culinary Highlights:

Watch a live tuna-cutting demonstration, then feast on freshly sliced bluefin tuna akami (lean meat) and melt-in-your-mouth otoro (fatty belly) sashimi.

Handpick prawns, turban shells, scallops, and sea urchin along the seafood stalls, then take them to the outdoor terrace for an ocean-breeze charcoal BBQ—an absolute treat for the palate.

Shop for travel souvenirs like premium Kishu Nanko plums (ume), Arita mandarin juice, and local Wakayama sake.

Afternoon: Strolling Bansho Garden — A Cliffside Ocean View Haven

In the afternoon, drive westward along the coastline for just about 15 minutes to reach Bansho Garden (Bansho Teien), perched at the tip of the Saikazaki Peninsula.

Scenic Exploration: This site once served as a coastal defense lookout point (Bansho-no-Hana) for the Kishu Domain during the Edo period to watch for foreign "Black Ships." The manicured green lawn contrasts sharply with the rugged, dark sea cliffs. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, it offers sweeping vistas across the Kitan Strait to the distant silhouette of Awaji Island.

Stroll along stone paths beneath coastal pines with the ocean breeze on your face, reflecting on the rolling silver grass of the deep mountains from the past two days—a breathtaking, seamless transition from "mountain summits" to "azure shores."

Evening: Smooth Return via the Hanwa Expressway

After your visit, hop onto the Hanwa Expressway from Wakayama-Kita IC or Wakayama-Minami IC. A smooth, 40-minute northward cruise brings you right back to the SORA CAMPERS base in Izumisano for vehicle drop-off, bringing this autumn loop—a blend of wild mountain aesthetics and coastal flavors—to a perfect close.

This "Autumn Mountain & Ocean Loop" is one of our team's favorite personal road trip routes at SORA CAMPERS each fall.

Starting from our base in Izumisano lets you bypass urban traffic entirely, taking you effortlessly from terraced fields to twin silver grass highlands and down to the sea. For us, the true beauty of campervan travel lies in never having to scramble with pitching or breaking down tents in freezing highland winds. Right after taking in the sunset at Hiage Rock, you can simply step into a cozy, insulated cabin and brew a piping hot cup of tea.

At both the start and finish of your journey, we have well-maintained, fully outfitted campervans ready for you here in Izumisano. The mountains and sea are at their peak this autumn—all that's left is to hit the road!