Toyota HiAce: used vans converted into luxury campers

At the Tokyo Camping Car Show 2026, Whitehouse presented its Reno-Mobi service, which refurbishes used Toyota HiAce vans with new beds, furniture, and kitchens. This approach addresses long delivery times for new vehicles and reduces costs. The Bitz Pop-up Roof model based on the Super GL (4WD) includes a 20L refrigerator, sink, Coolstar 12V air conditioner, Eberspächer heater, 200Ah lithium battery, and 1700W inverter. Price: 8.635 million yen.

Garvi Plus has published a list of 11 campsites in Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures where motorhomes are allowed. The selection is aimed at travelers seeking comfortable overnight stays in a motorhome during extreme temperatures. The campsites included are equipped with hookups for electricity and other amenities.

The Hokkaido Camping Car & Outdoor Show 2026 will take place on August 29–30, 2026, at Access Sapporo in Sapporo. The event will feature a wide range of vehicles, from kei campers to caravans, including the Offtime BASE based on the Suzuki Every with a pop-up roof and sleeping space for four, and the CRAFT CAMPER BRILLANTE based on the Nissan Caravan. Admission is 800 yen for advance electronic tickets, 1,000 yen for same-day electronic tickets, and 1,200 yen for same-day paper tickets. Children up to junior high school age enter free. Free parking is available for about 1,000 vehicles. The Sapporo Dog Festival will be held concurrently, with a pet care fee of 500 yen per dog.

The Kyushu Tourism Activation Consortium, together with the Saga International Balloon Fiesta organizing committee, will conduct a demonstration in 2026 allowing overnight stays in vehicles within the event venue. This year, in partnership with Venus Travel, a limited travel package combining ferry travel, car touring, and on-site vehicle overnight stays will be offered starting August 2026. The initiative aims to test whether such stays can be integrated into a broader travel product that attracts visitors from distant regions and encourages regional exploration. In 2025, 329 applications were received for 50 spots, indicating strong demand.

Kumamoto Prefecture has launched a telephone consultation service for evacuees living in vehicles after the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake. The hotline operates daily from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., staffed by nurses. The aim is to prevent deep vein thrombosis (economy class syndrome) and to better understand the situation of vehicle-dwelling evacuees. The prefecture is also distributing leaflets with hotline numbers and nighttime medical facilities through police officers patrolling affected areas.

Nuts RV has unveiled the Aletta Evolution Type X, a compact camper built on the Toyota Camroad chassis. At 4.85 meters long, it offers up to five sleeping places and six seats, featuring a pull-out alcove bed (180×180 cm) and a rear bed (126×180 cm). Prices start at 10,050,000 yen (about 54,119 euros) for the rear-wheel-drive petrol version with automatic transmission and 132 hp; a diesel (144 hp) and 4x4 are optional.