Camping became much more popular after the COVID-19 pandemic began.
The naturally rich Goto Islands offer many appealing places to camp.
But ordinary camping takes considerable preparation.
You need to pitch a tent and bring equipment; forgetting even one important item can turn the outing into hard work.
That is where glamping comes in.
It combines aspects of camping and a hotel for travelers who want an easier outdoor stay.
It is a good fit for a nature-focused destination such as Goto.
The original description presents Nordisk Village as Asia’s first Scandinavian-style glamping site; that historical marketing claim has not been reverified here.
Inside the sturdy tent is a private space that felt even more comfortable than a hotel.
Moving from socializing outside into your own quiet retreat is a particular pleasure of camping.
Instant coffee and a kettle make it easy to enjoy a peaceful drink.
A portable speaker was available if you wanted music.
Keep the volume down at night.
A lantern and flashlight were provided for walking after dark.
Those small considerations were welcome.
The attractive building opposite is the main building, converted from the closed Tao Elementary School.
The tents themselves stand on its former school playing field.
Inside the main building, reception and a cute polar bear welcome arriving guests.
Ordinary rooms were also available for people who preferred not to stay in a tent.
The bright white interior was so attractive that it hardly suggested a closed school.
At night, lights around the building made it more appealing still.
For dinner, we ordered barbecue, a natural part of the camping experience.
It looked delicious even before cooking.
The ingredient I most looked forward to was Goto wagyu.
Goto wagyu is one of the local foods the reviewer recommends trying. The original text also claims that Goto calves are taken to Kobe, raised there for 180 days, and sold as Kobe beef; that cattle-production and branding claim has not been independently verified here. The Goto beef we tried was characterized by tender meat and clean, unheavy fat, from cattle raised on the islands’ grass and sea-breeze landscape.
Goto pork, raised in the same rich natural environment, was another essential part of the barbecue.
Dinner combined Fukue Island ingredients: recently harvested vegetables, good rice, Goto wagyu, and local pork.
Barbecue eaten outdoors was especially enjoyable.
A memorable Goto evening came to an end.
Breakfast the next day began at Kitchen Tao Flat.
It came in the kind of basket often associated with outdoor glamping.
You could eat in the tent or at Kitchen Tao Flat.
Drip coffee and hot water were provided for a warm morning drink.
The breakfast was simple but well assembled.
A sandwich made with Goto wheat, a simple colorful salad, fruit, vegetable juice, and yogurt made it a filling start to the day.
Nordisk Village
Address: 1233 Tao, Tomie-machi, Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Reservations: 050-3504-9956, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. in the source record
Glamping site: 0959-86-3900, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. in the source record