We’re planning a week long trip to Shikoku, 3 adults and 2 medium sized dogs. We’ll be camping overnight. Do campsites provide a drinking water tap or will we have to rely on shop bought water? I’d rather avoid the latter if possible. Any and all experience camping and advice welcome.
6 comments
From what I read in Walking in Circles by Todd Wassel(fantastic book) about the Shikoku pilgrimage, yes many of the camp spots and temples have water. A lot of it is out of hoses and such so depends how you feel about that. The author walked it and sometimes ran out of water due to long rural stretches between the temples, but if you are biking or driving it should be okay.
Which part of the trail?
I wouldn’t drink water at camp sites. I’ve seen some camp sites with signs that says the spring water is okay to drink but should be boiled first. Never seen anyone drink straight up water from the tap tho.
Maybe get a Sawyer filter as a backup?
Buy water or bring a camping/backpacking filter.
you should check if campsite are open if you are not going in summer.i did trame in Shikoku in September and all cam site where closed. actually we get in but nobody was there. it was not on the 88 road.
In terms of accessing water, you won’t need to worry. Even in the rural areas access to clean water via car is not very far.
However, if you really want to be efficient, you should look into large water tanks. 3 adults and 2 dogs probably use a decent amount, so it could be good to have a “probably good” huge tank of water that you could get from the local taps, and a smaller tank of “this is only for drinking” tank. At least, that’s how I would do it.
Also, a hose for transferring said water into the tanks would be a good idea.