If you’re looking for a place to have a BBQ day trip from Tokyo or a fun glamping experience, The Forest Garden KIMINOMORI in Chiba is a budget-friendly option with Instagram-ready facilities and delicious food.
The Forest Garden KIMINOMORI
Located in Chiba Prefecture, the Forest Garden KIMINOMORI is a glamping garden where visitors can spend a day enjoying a barbecue or camp overnight, all while being surrounded by Kiminomori’s lush nature. The facility is designed so that each group can enjoy their own private area, equipped with an outdoor grill and a tent. Food plans are also available, so you can go without the hassle of bringing your own supplies.
The Forest Garden KIMINOMORI opened in May 2021 and is among the latest addition to Japan’s growing number of glamping facilities.
Plans
The actual price varies according to the plan you choose, but the ranges are as follows:
| Plan | Hours | Price per Person |
|---|---|---|
| BBQ without Tent (Lunch) | 10:30-14:30 | ¥2,980-¥6,980 |
| BBQ without Tent (Dinner) | 16:30-20:30 | ¥3,980-¥6,980 |
| BBQ with Tent (Lunch) | 10:30-14:30 | ¥6,980-¥10,980 |
| BBQ with Tent (Dinner) | 16:30-20:30 | ¥8,980-¥11,980 |
| Overnight | 16:30-09:00 | ¥10,980-¥12,980 |
Both the tent plan and overnight plan come with an additional wood-fired pizza (one per person) which guests can choose to make themselves (with the supervision of the staff) or just have it served.
Food
For our group friend of four, we opted for the TFG special which included kalbi, drumstick chicken, pork shoulder loin, seasonal vegetables, wood-fired pizza, grilled pineapple, and smores.
The staff fired up the grill for us and from there, we grilled as we liked it. I initially worried whether the food would be enough, but we ended up having leftovers. In fact, we were already full but it felt like food kept on coming.
When we made the reservation, I also ticked the checkbox asking whether we wanted to join the pizza-making experience, but maybe it was the grueling summer heat, we ended up just asking the staff to make the pizza for us. To our surprise, they served us four medium-sized pizza pies, each with different toppings.
One thing that wasn’t included in the plan was drinks. Guests have to order at the bar where both soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are available. Food and drinks from outside are not allowed, so expect to pay more upon checkout.
Facilities
Every corner of The Forest Garden is picture-perfect. From the building facade to the indoor lobby, and of course the glamping garden, every area looked Instagram-ready. If it weren’t for the heat, I’d have explored more and taken more photos, but alas Japanese summers are brutal.
In fact, it was also because of the summer heat that we weren’t able to make full use of our tent. Everything really looked comfy with three beds and two big stuffed animals, but the heat made staying inside it insufferable. We ended up just taking a few photos in it, but mostly we stayed in our chairs.
The indoor lobby had an area where you can play darts and foosball, as well as a section where you can borrow cards and other tabletop games you can bring to your own table. There’s even a guitar and some hula hoops!
Service
All the staff were really friendly and helpful, but it was quite apparent that they weren’t used to operations yet. It had already been a year since opening when we went, but it felt like the service started slow but eventually picked up. Perhaps because they opened during the pandemic, they aren’t so experienced with catering to large groups yet. The place wasn’t full when were there, though.
One of the reasons why I picked The Forest Garden was also their shuttle service, which wasn’t really on their website but was only in the magazine I happened to read. Guests had to call if they wanted to avail of this, and when I did, the staff who answered was initially unsure of what I was talking about.
We didn’t experience any big inconvenience when they were there, but given the standards of Japanese service, perhaps the Forest Garden needs a bit more experience.
Easy Glamping near Tokyo
Overall, our experience at the Forest Garden was delightful. Considering that it was our first time glamping, we were glad that we could find something that was accessible and affordable. All we had to do was make a few clicks and everything else was prepared for us. If you’re looking to have a fun barbecue with friends without the hassle of preparing food and equipment, The Forest Garden KIMINOMORI makes an excellent choice.
How to Get to The Forest Garden KIMINOMORI
The Forest Garden KIMINOMORI
Official website
Phone: 050 3171 3838
