Most people know the essential items for successful camping: a tent, first-aid kit, sleeping bag, pillow, rain cover, maybe a Swiss army knife. Definitely beer. Camping and beer are classics. Each elevates the experience of the other. Beer and camping fans in Japan will be happy to know that Baird Beer in Shuzenji, Shizuoka is endeavoring to provide an enticing new opportunity to enjoy this classic combination on its property, officially called Baird Brewery Gardens Shuzenji.

Baird relocated to Shuzenji to open its new, much larger brewery in 2014 on what was actually a former campsite. It’s easy to understand why the area was originally chosen for a campground. It is situated beside a river in a quiet valley of a peninsula known for its hot springs and abundance of nature. The property is not too far off the beaten path, though the campsite probably could have originally used a brewery (and some other facilities) to attract more campers! Enter Baird.

“It was always our intention to dedicate part of the brewery grounds to a rejuvenated campsite,” says Bryan Baird (founder and president). “Camp Baird will be about the celebration of nature and the enjoyment of the great outdoors. The Izu Peninsula is one of Japan’s most beautiful areas and we hope that the opening of Camp Baird will spark further beer- and outdoor-enthusiast interest in visiting this conveniently located oasis.”

The brewery’s new project will refurbish an area of land between the brewery and nearby river. Plans include installing hot showers and moving a cabin elsewhere on the property to serve as a beer and food station. Essentially, Baird intends to make it perfect for tent camping–with beer.

To finance the restoration, Baird is relying on a crowdfunding platform run by Asahi Shimbun called A-port. John Chesen (senior partner and director of sales and business development) explains, “We don’t just want to finance the campground and get people to come and use it. We also want people to enjoy the rewards of the crowdfunding program.” The campgrounds are a way that the public can emotionally connect with the brewery, too. The campaign is now live on A-port and runs until July 31st. Baird hopes to raise ¥5,000,000 for the project.

If you visit the brewery (and eventually camp there), remember that the peninsula is a famous biking and hiking area. The hot springs resort area is only about ten minutes away by car, and many places allow day visitors. The Baird Brewery Gardens Shuzenji has a beautiful wood-crafted taproom, too, and an attractive campus with orchards and hop gardens. The exclusive beer at this taproom is a refreshing helles at 5%–perfect for camping, perhaps. Even better, the brewery donates 1% of sales from this beer to For The Planet. It sounds to us like the brewery could be a good steward of a campsite.

For more about Baird Brewing, click here.