Automobile Council 2026

A demo version for the motorhome life game Outbound has been released for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The demo features exploration, motorhome customization, gardening, and cooperative play for up to four players. The full version is scheduled for release on April 23, 2026, for PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PC.

Roadside stations (Michi-no-Eki) permit short naps but prohibit overnight stays. Approximately 50 out of 1,200 such stations have dedicated, paid RV parks where overnight parking is officially allowed. Japan has over 600 RV parks in total, including some located adjacent to 24-hour convenience stores.

A new motorhome priced from 8.5 million yen was spotted in a Tokyo public housing parking lot. Residents of such housing must meet low-income criteria, and parking spaces are typically limited to 1.8 meters wide and 5 meters long, which is smaller than many motorhomes.

A major camping vehicle and outdoor exhibition will be held in Niigata on April 18-19, 2026. The event merges two formats and will feature around 70 exhibitors, including 66 camping vehicles ranging from compact campers to full-size models. Admission is charged: 600 yen in advance, 800 yen at the door.

The Carstay service and the Miyagahara Kogen roadside station in Nagano Prefecture have begun accepting paid reservations for 11 parking spaces for vehicle overnight stays. The booking period is from May 23 to October 31, 2026, with prices starting at 3,000 yen. This is an experiment to separately manage regular visitors and overnight vehicle users to address parking and littering issues.

JAL and JAL Airtech have launched the «JAPAN RV TRAVELLER» motorhome rental service. The service starts at Narita Airport, offers specially designed vehicles equipped for remote work, and awards JAL miles for rentals.