glanta glamping village

Glamping in a small forest beside Lake Biwa

glanta glamping village is a 5-unit glamping property in a small forest right next to Lake Biwa, in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture. The name "glanta" is Swedish for a small clearing in the woods. What the property offers is quiet, gentle time spent amid the sound of water, birdsong and the breeze moving through the trees.

Families with babies and young children should choose the cottage with a mini kitchen

There are three room types. The dome tents scattered through the forest - Dome (6 m), which sleeps 4 and measures 28.38 sq m, and Dome (5 m), which sleeps 4 and measures 19.62 sq m - have air conditioning, a refrigerator, beds and a kettle, but their toilets and showers are the shared facilities in the management building. The Cottage, which sleeps 4 and measures 37.67 sq m, is divided into a dining room and a bedroom, with a shower room, toilet and mini kitchen inside.

When you think about nighttime diaper changes, trips to the toilet and preparing baby food, the cottage is by far the easier choice for families with babies or small children. There is only one cottage among the 5 units, however, so families with little ones should plan on booking early. If you choose a dome tent, plan around the walk to the shared building.

Barbecue dinner at your own site, breakfast at a cafe overlooking Lake Biwa

Dinner is an outdoor meal eaten at the barbecue area set up at each unit's own site, barbecue-style with local seasonal ingredients - jar salad, gratin dauphinois, ajillo with beef tongue and mushrooms, and an assortment of meats. It is not served inside the room, but each site has a pergola and a barbecue grill, so families can eat on their own, away from other guests. The tent windows face the barbecue area, so you can keep an eye on a child sleeping inside the tent while you eat. The barbecue goes ahead even in the rain. Breakfast is served in the cafe on the second floor of the management building, which looks out over Lake Biwa; the cafe space can be used until 10 p.m. and again from 7 to 9 a.m. the next morning.

For allergies, a low-allergen menu covering only the 7 major allergens is available. The property itself notes that this is not absolute, so you will need to judge for yourself according to the severity of the symptoms. Baby food and supplementary food for young children are not listed among the offerings. Whether you may bring your own food in is handled differently depending on the plan - the accommodation terms include restrictions on bringing in outside food and drink, while room-only plans are described on the basis that guests bring their own - so please confirm when you book.

The forest swing and the picture-book library

On the grounds there is a forest swing hung from a large tree, which doubles as a photo spot for children. In the forest there is also a small forest library holding picture books and other books recommended by the staff. The rest space at the management building reception has items themed around playing outside, touching wood and learning about nature, all there to be picked up and enjoyed. There is also a Finnish-style tent sauna (reservation required), and a walking path with views of Lake Biwa runs right beside the property.

Practical details

Check-in is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and checkout is at 10 a.m. Parking is free for 10 cars. The property is about 15 minutes by car from JR Nagahama Station, and about 10 minutes from the Odanijo Smart IC on the Hokuriku Expressway. The management building has shared shower rooms and toilets separated by gender, plus laundry facilities, and amenities such as body wash, shampoo, conditioner, towels, a hair dryer and toothbrushes are provided. Child rates are set, and the property welcomes families.