Campervan, RV & Vanlife News
A Japanese cyclist undertook a four-day gravel riding trip in Obihiro, Hokkaido, using a campervan for transport and accommodation. The second-day route covered 100 km with 80% gravel; on the third day, a participant rested due to an allergic reaction to a bee sting. Due to a typhoon, the return flight was moved from 20:15 to 16:15, departed two hours late, and landed safely at Haneda. Onsen admission in Hokkaido costs around 500 yen.
United States
From October 9 to 11, the Ociano tourist complex in Haenam County will host the Jeolla-Namdo-Gwangju Camping and Tourism 2026 expo. About 780 teams, 4,000 campers and over 100 companies are expected.
Autumn camping in Okayama, Hyogo and Tottori: from sea of clouds to island camping and starry nights
In autumn 2022, the author visited four campsites in Okayama, Hyogo and Tottori prefectures. In Okayama, these were Nishiyama Kogen Campground at 450 m elevation and Takebe no Mori Park Auto Campground, in Hyogo — MOUNT LAKE on Awaji Island, in Tottori — Hojo Auto Campground, open year-round with no regular holidays. The latter offers electric hookups and water taps at every site, and visitors receive an original sticker. The trips were made in a Mitsubishi Delica D:5.
United States
Hwaseong authorities are closing the Hyangnam auto campsite, opened in 2018, to build a training field for Hwaseong FC. The decision drew over 100 complaints.
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On the first day of Silver Week, the author and their partner set up a DOD tarp and tent at the Chinaihama Auto Campground in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, on the shore of Lake Biwa. They secured a site in the middle of Kitahama, adjusting the tarp after finding it too close to the neighboring plot. After multiple attempts, they pitched the tent, struggled with the high poles, and finally laid out the inner sheet and inflatable mat. The author noted it was their first camping experience and suggested visiting once a month.
United States
A fire in a parked trailer in Surrey, British Columbia, killed one man. According to Surrey Fire Service, the fire broke out around 7 a.m. Sunday in a trailer parked near a home at 94 Avenue and 184 Street. Firefighters arrived to find the trailer engulfed in flames and discovered the deceased man inside. The home sustained minor heat damage. The cause of the fire has not been determined, and Surrey Police and the BC Coroners Service are investigating the death.
A public campsite in Hwaseong, used by about 50,000 people annually, will close next month. A training ground for the professional football club Hwaseong FC is planned for the site. The campsite was designated an excellent campsite by the government last year, but closure was announced nine months later. Dozens of online petitions against the closure were not properly considered: the city accepted opinions only by mail and in-person visits, and the 1.8 billion won budget for the training ground was approved before the feedback period ended. The city cited the campsite's operating deficit and the opening of an alternative campsite as reasons for closure.
A family with three children took a 10-day campervan trip, mixing van life with hotel stays. They found that bringing all summer clothes for the kids was wise, but umbrellas, raincoats, and children's tablets went unused. Cooking equipment, seasonings, and bath amenities were also largely unnecessary because they cooked infrequently and public baths provided supplies.
A couple from South Korea completed a 15-day campervan trip around Hokkaido in June 2026, refuelling approximately every 500 km. They pre-planned the route, overnight spots, fuel stops, bathing and laundry, and brought winter sleeping bags due to possible cold. Waste was stored in deodorising bags and containers, and food was mostly bought locally.
According to a video on the YouTube channel '노마드션 No mad Shaun', entering Albania requires only a vehicle registration certificate and a passport. The country uses its own currency, the lek, and locals allow free camping near the coast, sometimes with electricity. However, the traveler noted traffic congestion, disorderly parking, corruption, and difficulties in finding safe overnight spots in the wild.
While traveling in Scotland, Min Ji-young's campervan displayed an ABS warning light. Diagnostics revealed a faulty wheel speed sensor with a melted cable. Kim PD replaced the sensor himself; Min Ji-young promised to pay him 100 pounds for the labor.
The 7th Suwon Camping Car Show 2026 will be held from October 9 to 11 at the Suwon Convention Center (SCC) in Gwanggyo. About 30 manufacturers of campers, caravans and custom conversion companies will participate. The exhibition will focus on campers based on Kia PV5 and Hyundai ST1 EV electric platforms, as well as Staria and Carnival Hi-Limousine custom models. Admission is 5,000 won at the door, or 3,000 won with a 40% discount when booked online.
For stays of one month or longer in Japan, renting a furnished apartment (monthly mansion) or a camper is more cost-effective than extended hotel or Airbnb stays. In Ota Ward, 30 minutes from Haneda Airport, studio units (1R/1K) rent for 100,000–180,000 yen per month, often including utilities and Wi-Fi; initial costs for cleaning and agency fees are around 20,000–50,000 yen. Larger family apartments can exceed 200,000–300,000 yen per month but offer a kitchen and washing machine. Contracts are available from 30 days. Alternatively, camper rental starts at 150,000–200,000 yen per month for a compact camper, 250,000–350,000 yen for a converted van (e.g., HiAce), and 300,000–450,000 yen for a full cab conversion (after a 20–30% long-term discount). Additional costs include insurance and deductible (tens of thousands of yen), fuel, tolls, and campsite fees.
China
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RV sales in China have surpassed 20,000 units for the first time. Sales of short-trip campers grew by 85.61%, while new energy RVs for long-distance travel rose by 229%.
The Suwon Camping Car Show 2026 will take place from October 9 to 11, 2026, at the Suwon Convention Center in Gwanggyo, Suwon, South Korea. The event is hosted by the Korea Leisure Vehicle Industry Association and organized by Interfesta. About 30 domestic and international manufacturers of motorhomes and caravans will participate. Exhibits will include electric PBV campers based on the Kia PV5 and Hyundai ST1, traditional motorhomes, caravans, and truck campers. Admission is 5,000 won at the door or 3,000 won (40% discount) with online reservation.
The Suwon Camping Car Show 2026 will take place from October 9 to 11 at the Suwon Convention Center (SCC) in Gwanggyo, South Korea. More than 30 manufacturers and custom companies will participate, showcasing motorhomes, caravans, truck campers, and electric camper vans based on Kia PV5 and Hyundai ST1 EV platforms. Visitors can receive consultations on contracts, options, and after-sales service. Admission is 5,000 won on-site or 3,000 won with a 40% discount via online reservation.
Korean design studio Lotux Grey Studio unveiled a camper van concept based on the Kia PV7, featuring an extended cargo area and NCM batteries of 71.5 and 96.2 kWh.
On September 14, a video was published on the YouTube channel "Poongja TV" showing the delivery of a custom camper van based on the Kia PV5. TV personality Poongja, who recently lost 33 kg, waited about six months for the vehicle: nearly five months in the queue due to high demand and just over two weeks for the interior conversion. Such campers are priced between 40 and 50 million won. The interior features a flat floor, storage drawers, a table, a mosquito net, a microwave, a fridge-freezer, and a touch-sensitive sink; the electric vehicle allows all appliances to run, provides heating in winter and cooling in summer. An automatic awning with remote control is installed outside.
A civic coalition in Seongnam has filed a public audit request with the Board of Audit and Inspection over the creation and operation of an auto campsite in Yuldong Park, Bundang District. The group alleges that from 2023 the city ignored or circumvented legal regulations: it changed the name from 'campground' to 'campsite', failed to register the facility under the Tourism Promotion Act, and exceeded area limits. Gyeonggi Province special judicial police are investigating city officials on suspicion of unregistered operation; the city argues the site falls under urban park and land use laws, not tourism legislation.
Two public campsites in Gunsan, South Korea, built for 5.7 billion won, have ceased operations due to the absence of private operators.