Rare European Laika motorhomes to debut at Automobile Council 2026 in Japan

Japan Special Body (NTB) will open a new camper van showroom, Lots INOUTDOOR, in Hachioji, Tokyo, on June 26, 2026. The event will feature the debut of the AOSAGI camper van, co-developed with popular YouTuber Kupio (channel “Kupio no Shachu Seikatsu,” approx. 790k subscribers). Based on the Travio platform, the AOSAGI includes a boiler, toilet, shower, semi-permanent bed, and ample storage. NTB will also display the HARUKA, successor to the SAKURA, equipped with a 975W solar panel, 5 kWh lithium battery, and dual inverters. Additionally, the Phase Free-certified EXPEDITION STRIKER and KAGAYAKI models will be shown, designed for both leisure and emergency use.

NTT Group launches a pilot project of guest trailers at the Mukawa Shiki no Yakata roadside station from July 1. The hotel operates without staff, check-in via facial recognition. The project aims to attract tourists to the new dinosaur museum.

The Aso Roadside Station in Kumamoto Prefecture, a popular spot for motorhome and camper van travelers, faced overcrowding in the evening. According to a visitor, the first parking lot was completely occupied by vehicles for overnight sleeping and motorhomes by 9:00 PM, with the second lot also nearly full. The station offers local products, including coffee jelly made from spring water and ASOMILK drinking yogurt.

Lukura, a manufacturer and renter of travel trailers, donated one unit to Noto town in Ishikawa Prefecture through a corporate hometown tax donation program. The trailer has been placed at Yanagida Botanical Park to help address the shortage of accommodation after the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. It sleeps 2–4 people and is designed for snowy conditions: a sloped roof, protected utilities, and a vestibule. Interior walls are painted plywood.

Square Glade Games has released patch 1.1 for the open-world camper van exploration game Outbound. The update introduces fishing mechanics, three craftable rods, 32 collectible fish species, four aquariums, new doors and stairs, and bug fixes.

22-year-old YouTuber Shomi Erina from Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, who travels across Japan in a camper van visiting farms, stayed in Tsurugi town, Tokushima Prefecture, from January 16 to 19. In the Keka settlement, she studied pesticide-free farming methods using local plants and fallen leaves, and engaged with the local community.