Japan's road stations: MLIT clarifies rules on overnight stays in vehicles

RV Park BEACH FRONT SAKAI has opened in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, providing paid overnight parking for motorhomes and camper vans. The rate starts at 1,500 yen per vehicle per night, with a total capacity of 7 sites. The facility offers 24-hour toilets, paid 100V power, free non-potable well water, and paid waste disposal. A hot spring, Sakai Onsen Yumotokan, is within walking distance. Reservations can be made by phone or online up to two days before arrival.

The first NATURE BEAT JAM 2026 in F VILLAGE will take place on September 26–27, 2026, in Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido. The event will feature 11 brands, including Subaru, Nissan Prince Sapporo, Netz Toyota Sapporo, Renault Sapporo, and manufacturers of campers and trailers. A one-day ticket costs 900 yen in advance or 1,100 yen on the day, free for elementary school children and younger, with parking at 1,000 yen.

The municipal Ryumon Campground in Hiroyama, Arita, at the foot of Mount Kurokami, will reopen on September 19 following a major renovation. The project, the first large-scale upgrade since the site opened in 1977, includes a rebuilt administration building and new auto sites to meet diversifying user needs. Total cost was approximately 156 million yen, with construction taking about a year. The new wooden single-story administration building features an open terrace, shower rooms, a cooking area, and a multipurpose room, available to visitors coming for hiking or river activities as well as camping.

The article lists five actions to take when choosing to evacuate by sleeping in a car. These include: identifying permitted parking locations, preparing a sleeping area, securing toilet, water and food supplies, managing temperature and ventilation, and taking security measures. The author, with over eight years of car camping experience, notes that such parking is not allowed everywhere, and that prolonged stays in a vehicle carry risks of economy class syndrome and carbon monoxide poisoning.

The show will be held on September 26–27 at Pacifico Yokohama. Final participants have been announced, including actor Shido Nakamura, TV host Becky and New Japan Pro-Wrestling wrestlers.

The author of the YouTube channel Genya Films, which focuses on camping and sleeping in cars, published a column stating that the most valuable experience in such trips is not expensive gear but an evening without any plans. He says that early on he bought many accessories, including a sleeping bag, a high-capacity portable power station, a fridge, a table and lights. Over time, he concluded that the limited space of a car interior and a minimal set of items allow one to step away from the usual home routine. The author notes that car camping requires neither vacation time nor extensive preparation—just a minimal set of bedding—and that such an experience helps shift one's focus.