When I had first received wondertrunk & co.’s invitation to test out their ‘glamping experience’ in Ōda City, I wasn’t sure what to expect. As a young boy growing up in rural America, “camping” meant packing a backpack with nothing more than a few food items, a tent, and a pocketknife. In comparison, the local Japanese campsites I’ve visited with my family after moving to Izumo have felt like the height of comfort. Little did I know, the glamorous glamping retreat I was about to experience was going to take my appreciation of camping to yet another level.
I arrived at the wondertrunk & co. glamping site in the mid-afternoon and was immediately struck by the area’s stunning natural scenery. Mt. Sanbe towered over the campsite, a majestic backdrop to the manicured field and large white tents that stretched out before me. After going through the check-in process and receiving a small basket of essential items (water, cups, bug repellent, lock, and hand sanitizer), a friendly staff member gave me a tour of the grounds.
I was shown the cozy common area – a large teepee-style tent with a place for a campfire in the evening – before being led to my own lodgings. As I walked into my designated tent, the design reminded me more of the inside of a trendy boutique hotel than a campground in the middle of the countryside. The two large and fluffy double-beds were certainly a prominent clue that this wasn’t your regular camping experience. When I walked further into the tent, I was pleasantly surprised by the soft carpet that covered the entire floor, and it wasn’t long before I was sitting in one of the tent’s lounge chairs entirely immersed in a good book.
As dinner timed neared, a picnic basket full of fresh, local ingredients was delivered to my room. It was BBQ time! My individual gas grill was conveniently located outside my tent and allowed me to easily cook the pre-chopped meat and vegetables provided. The most gratifying part was that I didn’t have to clean up after I finished; I just placed everything back in the picnic basket for it to be cleared away.
The highlight of my visit took place soon after dinner. Around 7:30, I was able to watch a Kagura show at a truly one-of-a-kind outdoor theater.
Using Mt. Sanbe as the stage’s backdrop, the wondertrunk & co. team placed real fire torches all around the alfresco theater to create an entrancing setting that transported me to a time and place far away from the stresses of daily life. As the performers began their ritualistic dance, I watched in delight as they showed off their handcrafted costumes and danced to rhythmic music that echoed into the night. On this particular evening they performed the ‘Orochi’ program in which the local hero ‘Susanoo’ is able to fight off the ‘Yamata-no-orochi’ (eight headed snake).
The next day began with a delightful picnic basket breakfast delivered once again to my tent. I enjoyed a slow morning of relaxation before taking part in Kagura mask painting class. The instructor took me through how these intricate masks are made, showed me several impressive examples he had made himself, and gave me some insight on how to use my brush to make the different parts of the mask. While I am no artist it was a lot of fun to try! I enjoyed the historical aspect of the activity and by the end I could certainly appreciate the level of skill required to make these masks professionally.
This concluded my stay at the wondertrunk & co. glamping site. I left feeling very relaxed and with a new appreciation for glamping as a way to enjoy Shimane’s scenic beauty and unique culture.
