Camping has been growing in popularity and sales of related goods have risen in recent months in Japan as people looking to go out with friends and family members amid the pandemic turn to outdoor recreation.

During a weekend earlier this month, a campsite with about 40 tents in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, was busy with campers of all ages.

"We can avoid the risk of being infected with the virus in such an open and large site even though we came as a group," said a 22-year-old man who was setting up a tent with friends.