Toyota Hiace shortage slows Japan's camper van market growth

Japan C.R.C. added more 'Happy One Premium' camper vans in Okinawa starting June 8, 2026. The 4-person model targets tourists, including foreign visitors. The fleet now covers 11 locations nationwide.

The Ichinoyu hotel chain in Hakone (Kanagawa Prefecture) is reviving its car sleeping program for beginners from June 10 to September 30. The cost is 5,500 yen per car on weekdays, including unlimited access to hot springs.

Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is strengthening measures against overloading of trailers and other special vehicles. Data shows 140,000–150,000 overload violations annually from 2021 to 2023, with about 5,000 out of 9,000 offending operators lacking permits. The ministry plans to revise regulations: issue warnings after a first violation for unlicensed vehicles, lower the threshold for administrative guidance from 20 violations in 3 months to 20 in 2 years, and facilitate criminal prosecution when road infrastructure is damaged.

Japanese company JP Star has introduced the Happy1 motorhome based on the Daihatsu Hijet. The vehicle is 3.78 meters long, 1.7 meters wide, and about 2.5 meters high. It includes a kitchen with sink, refrigerator, microwave, heating, and air conditioning. There are four berths: a main bed from a convertible dinette and an additional bed above the cab. No toilet or shower is installed; a portable chemical toilet and external shower are used. Prices in Japan range from €20,000 to €30,000 depending on trim.

BougeRV has introduced the F02, a rechargeable fan for RVs and caravans. It features a removable 72 Wh battery, LED display and light, delivers an airflow of 21.38 m³/h, and runs up to 8 hours on low speed.

In Japan, a Toyota HiAce owner installed an audio system with 5 amplifiers and a subwoofer, along with a foldable bed, in the cargo area. The project was completed at AV Kansai Sakai. The U-shaped frame serves as both a bed base and mounting platform for audio components. Acrylic panels and lighting were used for finishing.