🇯🇵 Japan — OpenVan.camp

The Carstay service provided four motorhomes as a mobile operations base for the organizers of the Rainbow Disco Club music festival in Higashiizu. The motorhomes were used from April 9 to 22, 2026, for staff accommodation, equipment storage, and as an office, solving logistics issues experienced in previous years.

Spain introduced new road sign S-128 and banned camper vans from parking near beaches. Germany responded with a 3.82-metre electric camper van — fits anywhere, furniture not included. JAL now rents out motorhomes from Narita with miles earned per rental. Storm Ali blowing a traveller's caravan off an Irish cliff, and the Outbound demo for PS5 — all in this issue.

Management company Con Spirito is expanding production and sales of trailer houses for investment purposes. The segment's revenue is projected to reach 20 billion yen by fiscal year 2025, a 2.9-fold increase from 2023. The company plans to boost output to 140 units next year, with each large model occupying 37 sq m and requiring three months for road transport permit processing.

Sleeping in vehicles is being reconsidered as an evacuation option during disasters. Following the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, which saw cases of deep vein thrombosis, experiments are being conducted on safely organizing such accommodations. The findings from these trials are being incorporated into national guidelines.

A gameplay overview trailer has been released for Outbound, a van-life exploration game. The open-world title is scheduled for release on April 23 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.

A new RV park, Camp in Airstream South 77, has opened in Aichi Prefecture, offering facilities for motorhomes and travel trailers. The park provides electricity, water, 24-hour toilets, and waste disposal, and features a vintage Airstream trailer available for hourly rental for leisure or remote work. The overnight fee starts at 5,000 yen.

Anker Japan has introduced a charger that utilizes a vehicle's excess alternator power to charge portable power stations while driving. The Anker Solix Alternator Charger will go on sale on April 14 for 89,990 yen and delivers up to 800W of power, charging a compatible C2000 Gen 2 model about 7 times faster than via a cigarette lighter. It is designed for vehicles with 12V or 24V systems and requires professional installation, but lacks dust and water resistance.

The Japan RV Association is promoting a network of paid parks for overnight stays in motorhomes, trailers, and camper vans. In Gifu Prefecture, the park "Kemonochi Mori-no Hanare - RV STAY" has opened, accommodating only one group per day. The stay costs from 13,200 yen per night, with toilets, water, and electricity available on site.

Japanese company HIRABO has launched the compact motorhome BOUKEN based on the Suzuki Every. The model features a simplified electrical system with a portable power unit and a bed over 240 cm long. The motorhome will be exhibited at a show in Kawasaki on April 25-26, 2026.

The manga adaptation of the web novel 'The Banished Noble Lady Travels Another World in an RV While Crafting' has begun serialization on the 'Kadokomi' platform. The first 64-page chapter was released on April 20, 2026. The story follows a noblewoman who uses alchemical magic to create a motorhome after being exiled.

Developer Silver Lining Interactive released an introductory trailer for Outbound ahead of its launch on April 23, 2026. The game features an open world where players travel in a motorhome, gather resources, and upgrade their vehicle. The demo version will be available until April 21, 2026.

Many residents were forced to evacuate by sleeping in their cars following the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake. Among the 220 disaster-related deaths in the prefecture were people who were staying in vehicles. A bereaved family member shares the experience of evacuating with an elderly mother who required care.

Japanese company Auto One has introduced a motorhome based on the Suzuki Every, featuring a pop-up roof. The interior transforms into a full-size sleeping area measuring 198 cm in length, while the pop-up roof provides an additional bed for two. The model is available with front-wheel or four-wheel drive, with prices starting from 2,659,800 yen.

The store page for 'On the Road' is now on Steam. It is an idle game designed to run in the background, where the player watches a pixel art motorhome journey across the Tibetan Plateau, with upgrades for speed, fuel efficiency, and tank capacity.

A Suzuki Every version for overnight stays, called 'Puchi Camp', was presented at a motor show. The model demonstrates how a compact commercial van can be adapted for basic camping.

Japanese company White House Camper has introduced a motorhome based on the Honda N-Van van. The vehicle measures 3.40 meters in length and 1.48 meters in width, with a conversion price of approximately 16,500 euros. The motorhome features a double bed, microwave oven, television, and refrigerator. It complies with Japanese Kei car regulations and is equipped with a 660 cm³ engine.

Japanese company Direct Cars has introduced the Dune Rover camper based on the compact Daihatsu Hijet truck, which is 3.4 meters long. The model features two double beds, a kitchen with a refrigerator and microwave, and a power system with a lithium battery. The starting price is 32,500 euros, significantly higher than the base vehicle's price of 5,950 euros.

A concentration of vehicles used for overnight stays is observed at a roadside station in Tochigi Prefecture. During the night, elderly individuals traveling alone were also seen at the location.

Company Stage 21 unveiled a motorhome based on the Nissan Serena at a festival in Sagamihara on April 4-5. The model transforms to seat five people while driving and provide a double bed for sleeping. According to the manufacturer, the price of the new model is only slightly higher than that of motorhomes based on kei cars.

Iris Plaza offers an inflatable mat for sleeping in a car, priced at 3160 yen. The product self-inflates upon opening a valve, features an integrated pillow, and provides up to 5.8 cm of thickness to level uneven surfaces inside the vehicle.

A new paid RV park has opened in Shiga Prefecture, offering a full range of services for extended stays. The USE No-togawa park in Higashiomi City has 14 spaces and features a wastewater dump station, 24-hour toilets, electricity, and water. The overnight fee starts at 6,600 yen.

A couple traveling with overnight stays in their vehicle has shown the cramped interior of their Mirage camper van. The publication demonstrates the organization of limited living space for two people.

The Miniature Cruise SV model has been renamed to Prime as part of an update. Key changes include a 300 Ah lithium-ion battery, a 225 W solar panel, and a 1500 W inverter. The price starts from 4,797,100 yen based on the Daihatsu Hijet.

The supermarket chain Aeon has launched a motorhome rental service in Hokkaido. The company started the service in cooperation with a local operator, with rental prices starting from 30,000 yen for two days, and customers can leave their personal cars in the store's parking lot during the rental period.

The VANLIFE ROOMKIT camper conversion kit for the Toyota Sienta will be available at 13 Toyota Corolla Hakata dealerships starting April 18. This marks the kit's first availability in the Kyushu region, with a demo vehicle stationed at the new CARMINE Yahatanishi location. The patented kit transforms the five-seat vehicle into a living space for two adults.

Japanese company Towa Motors Sales has introduced the 'Zelt NV' camper van based on the Nissan NV200 compact van. The model, measuring 4.4 m in length and 1.7 m in width, features a pop-up roof, enabling overnight accommodation for up to four people while maintaining the capacity to carry four passengers facing forward in driving mode.

The specialized VANLIFE ROOMKIT camper conversion kit for the Toyota Sienta will be available at 13 Toyota Corolla dealerships in Hakata starting April 18. This marks the kit's first availability in the Kyushu region, with a demo vehicle displayed at the new CARMINE Yahatanishi location. The kit, patented in November 2025, transforms the five-seat vehicle into a living space for two adults.

The specialized VANLIFE ROOMKIT for the Toyota Sienta will be available at 13 Toyota Corolla Hakata dealerships starting April 18. This marks the product's first availability in the Kyushu region, with a demo vehicle displayed at the new CARMINE Yahatanishi location. The kit, patented in November 2025, converts the five-seat vehicle into a lounge area for two adults.

The specialized VANLIFE ROOMKIT for vehicle dwelling in the Toyota Sienta will go on sale from April 18 at 13 Toyota Corolla dealerships in the Hakata region. This marks the product's first availability in the Kyushu prefecture. The kit, patented in November 2025, converts the five-seater vehicle into a living space for two adults.

The specialized VANLIFE ROOMKIT camper conversion kit for the Toyota Sienta will be available at 13 Toyota Corolla Hakata dealerships starting April 18. This marks the kit's first availability in the Kyushu region, with a demo vehicle on display at the new CARMINE Yahatanishi location. The kit, patented in November 2025, transforms the five-seat vehicle into a living space for two adults.