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The RV Park at Kamishizu Midori no Mura Park in Ogaki, Gifu Prefecture, has started full operations. A trailer for visitors has been installed, and 24-hour showers are available. The facility is designed for overnight stays in vehicles.
Instagram user @douminfufu, who documents camper van travels, shared a meal inside the vehicle featuring local Fukui delicacies. The post has received over 758 likes. The article also includes data on average pension amounts by age.
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A Fukushima TV survey found about 80% of pet owners prefer sleeping in their car during disaster evacuation. Experts advise training pets to crates, stocking 10 days of food, and guarding against heat as cabin temps can exceed 45°C.
A report has been published in Japan about a two-day motorhome trip with a dog from Fukuoka to Shimonoseki via the Kanmon Strait. The route included driving through the Kanmon Tunnel, visiting the pedestrian section of the tunnel, and the Karato market, where sushi festivals are held. The article describes the features of the Osteria motorhome, equipped with a kitchen and heating, as well as an overnight stay at the RV Park Smart campsite.
In Kumamoto Prefecture, where a magnitude 7 earthquake was recorded, about 3,800 people are still in evacuation centers. However, there are also those who cannot or will not go to shelters, staying at home or in their cars. Local authorities are urging such people via loudspeakers to use evacuation centers, but support is slow to reach them.
The campsite at Shigeiwa Mountain Nature Park in Toyokoro, established in 1977, welcomes visitors with budget-friendly rates amid rising prices. The park offers views of patchwork fields and pavilions for indoor barbecue.
On the morning of August 12, an adult bear was spotted near the Nishihama campsite in Yuza, Yamagata Prefecture. The animal was seen by several visitors along the riverbank and is believed to be hiding in a bamboo grove near the campsite. About 130 people who had been staying at the campsite since August 11 have been evacuated. No injuries or damage have been reported. The campsite is closed for the day, and an emergency cull was temporarily considered.
The article highlights common mistakes made by campers, such as assuming campfires are always allowed, using dish soap in washing areas, collecting fallen branches for firewood, and leaving charcoal behind. These actions can harm the environment and inconvenience others, so it's important to check specific campground regulations.
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In Aomori Prefecture, a campsite is temporarily closed from 4 p.m. to 9 a.m. after bears were spotted on Mount Bonzusen trail. Cameras captured the animals on Aug. 3 and 8.
The Hoshi no Mori Auto Campground in Urugi Village, Nagano Prefecture, will run a summer-only 'Forest Office' project from August 22 to September 30, 2026, welcoming both campers and remote workers. Located at an altitude of 1,200 meters, the site offers cottages, tent sites, coin showers, and a meeting room (500–1,300 yen per day), with missions and local product prizes for participants. The initiative targets those seeking cooler climates and focused work environments, with a 10% discount for stays of three nights or more.
The author, traveling in a DIY-converted Toyota Lite Ace, spent 400 nights sleeping in his vehicle over two years, 300 of them at roadside stations. He selected five top stations in the Tohoku region, judging them on toilet cleanliness, flat parking, and quietness. The article is published in partnership with DRIMO magazine.
Nippon Tokushu Body (NTB) unveiled the new GeoRoam camper based on the Isuzu Beecam Wide Cab chassis. The motorhome features a wider cab (1995 mm) and a longer wheelbase (3415 mm) for more interior space. The interior uses natural wood, including cedar countertops and floors. The fixed bed measures 1800x910 mm, expanding to 2030x1780 mm when converted. Prices start at 21.78 million yen, with the top version at 23.65 million yen.
In Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, evacuation involving overnight stays in vehicles (shachūhaku) faces support limitations due to difficulties in tracking evacuees. Dedicated parking areas for this purpose are also underused. The situation was observed in Uki City, at the Ogawa Disaster Prevention Center parking lot, where evacuees were seen on July 30.
In Japan, the use of motorhomes to accommodate medical and other teams heading to the Kumamoto earthquake zone is expanding. Industry associations and local governments are stepping up cooperation to provide mobile housing for personnel working in affected areas.
Hamamatsu Zoo in Chuo Ward has installed three trailer-type rest facilities with air conditioning to help visitors cope with the intense heat. The units were unveiled on August 10.
Japanese YouTuber Chomoka, who runs the channel 'chomocamp' about solo camping and car sleeping, shared her style of traveling in a used car purchased for 380,000 yen. She started posting videos in 2019, and in 2020, after appearing on a BS TV Tokyo program, her channel gained popularity, surpassing 50,000 subscribers. Chomoka noted that camping became a popular leisure activity during the pandemic, and her style involves fitting personal preferences into a small space.
An outdoor field opened on October 10 at the Akasuna Park complex 'Suwa no Wa' in Shimosuwa, on the shore of Lake Suwa. The facility includes 7 campsites and 4 barbecue booths. Pets are allowed.
In Hikawa town, Kumamoto Prefecture, the Noguchi family continues to sleep in a car parked in their yard following a magnitude 7 earthquake on July 28. Although their house remained standing, walls have peeled off, and the children are afraid to sleep indoors. Mother Tomoka Noguchi (42) said the children choose the car because they witnessed nearby houses collapsing.
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A novice camper tested a hatch tent on an SUV's rear door. Setup took 30 minutes; sleeping inside, dining in the tent, powered by a roof solar panel.
On July 25, 2026, Kia opened the Kia PBV Tonan Yokohama showroom inside the Minami-Machida Grandberry Park mall in Tokyo, featuring the PV5 electric van. The showroom is operated by Toy Factory, a camper builder. A pre-opening event drew about 200 visitors over two days, with questions focusing on range, drivetrain, and subsidies. EVs account for only about 2% of new car sales in Japan, so the company targets families and couples, including Tesla owners.
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