What is Glamping, the new outdoor standard?We will explain its roots and history!

• Historyroots

• 2020/4/23

What is glamping?

Many of you probably know that glamping is a coined word that combines the words "glamorous" and "camping," meaning "elegant" and "charming."
In short, glamping can be described as ``a new style of camping that allows you to comfortably enjoy the outdoors as if you were at a resort.''In other words, rather than setting up a tent and enjoying the great outdoors, you can stay in a comfortable and luxurious facility with a view of beautiful scenery such as fresh greenery, the blue sea, cherry blossoms, and autumn leaves, and enjoy outdoor cuisine prepared by a top-class chef. , a style of glamping commonly seen in Japan.
However, recently, glamping has evolved into a wide variety of types, with glamping facilities popping up in the middle of big cities where you can stop by on your way home from work.

History of glamping

Glamping is now attracting attention all over the world, but when did it first exist?There are various theories about its origins, but here we will introduce the commonly told history.

The origin and origin of glamping

The roots of glamping: When and where was it born?

Tents of various shapes at glamping facilities.The furniture such as beds and tables placed inside the tent is reminiscent of the yurts (ger in Mongolian) where Mongolian nomads live.A yurt is a mobile home inhabited by nomads who move across grasslands with their livestock.It is said that the roots of glamping are the style of living in a tent-like house with furniture.

There are various theories about the origins of glamping, but another theory is that it originated in Europe in the 1900s. The 1900s was a time when the industrial revolution occurred mainly in Britain, people became wealthy, and European powers expanded their colonies around the world.The rich people of Europe, who had gained more income and more leisure time due to industrialization, began to travel to the suburbs in droves to enjoy their holidays.
As if in response to these celebrity movements, the global brand Louis Vuitton was born in the mid-19th century.Before long, European aristocrats began to travel to their colonies in Asia and Africa, packing their daily necessities and clothes in Louis Vuitton's large, flat trunks, which were perfect for traveling by train or ship.Sometimes they went on luxurious camping trips, calling it hunting or exploration.Although it was called camping, the tent was equipped with luxurious furniture and furnishings, making it a truly comfortable space.Of course, instead of cooking the food himself, he called in a chef to prepare a sumptuous meal.
At the time, it was a luxurious experience that was only available to the wealthy, but now it can be enjoyed by the general public as glamping.

Overseas glamping situation

Now let's turn our attention to modern times.
According to Google Trends data, searches for the keyword "glamping" began in 2007 in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The word "glamping" actually began to be used two years later. It is said to be England around 2.
Glamping has become popular in the UK, with over 250 spots operating mainly in the suburbs of London.Many of them are located in rural areas where the countryside spreads out, and the accommodation is simple, using small huts, Mongolian yurt-like tents, and wagons, allowing you to enjoy the laid-back atmosphere unique to the suburbs.
Glamping, which originated in England, quickly became popular in Europe and the United States, including France, Switzerland, and the United States.

Glamping situation in Japan

Glamping in Japan

Looking at history, we know that glamping was originally a luxury form of travel that was popular mainly in Europe and America, but when did the word glamping become recognized and the style spread in Japan? Or?

When did it start?

The concept of glamping, which was popular overseas, became known in Japan around 2010.It was in 2015 that an unprecedented new outdoor style called glamping was introduced and became generally recognized.
The opening of a facility with the name "glamping" became a hot topic, sparking a huge boom.From then on, it quickly gained popularity.The style of enjoying nature in a cabin in the forest became a hot topic at the time and was featured in numerous media outlets.After that, various facilities calling themselves glamping were opened one after another all over the country.

Glamping situation in Japan

Nowadays, there are many different forms of glamping.While facilities are being built that pursue the original glamping experience of being in touch with nature, facilities that are not much different from campgrounds, with several simple cottage-like buildings lined up on the grounds, and outdoor barbecue facilities are being built. The reality is that even facilities that are extensions of restaurants or facilities that are located adjacent to large commercial facilities are considered glamping.In some cases, glamping includes staying in a hotel-like building.
Although the concept of glamping in Japan seems different from overseas glamping or the concept of ``glamorous'' ``camping,'' the concept of ``glamping'' in Japan is different from the concept of ``glamorous'' camping. As a result of unique interpretations, I believe that Japan's unique glamping has evolved in a variety of ways.

Why glamping is so popular

One of the best parts of traveling is experiencing the nature and culture of the places you visit.In particular, getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city and immersing yourself in nature can soothe your mind and body.However, many people may find it difficult to set up their own tent and cook their own meals.For such people, glamping is the perfect gateway to the outdoors, as they don't have to worry about setting up a tent or starting a fire, and can enjoy a luxurious experience surrounded by nature.
Glamping also places emphasis on food, offering delicacies that you wouldn't normally enjoy, such as a luxurious BBQ that incorporates local delicacies from the mountains and sea, as well as extraordinary dishes made using wood stoves and Dutch ovens. Another reason for its popularity is that you can taste it.

Summary

Glamping, which became a new outdoor staple in Japan after the arrival of the boom, has a really long history, and while some of the concepts are common in Japan and other countries, there are also parts that have evolved with Japan's own interpretations. .
Below we have summarized what glamping is, its roots and history.

・Glamping is a coined word that combines the words ``glamorous'' and ``camping,'' meaning ``elegant'' and ``charming.''
・Glamping is said to have its roots in the mobile homes and yurts of Mongolian nomads, and is also connected to the camping style enjoyed by wealthy Westerners in the Asian and African countries of the past. There is.
・The keyword "glamping" is said to have been coined in the UK in 2005.In Japan, the opening of a facility named Glamping in 2015 became a hot topic, sparking a boom in glamping.
・Glamping is popular because it allows you to enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about setting up an unfamiliar tent or starting a fire, and it also offers the comfort of spending time in a luxurious space.