Japan Tightens Oversight on Overloaded Trailers and Special Vehicles

Ichinoyu in Hakone (Kanagawa Prefecture) will resume its car sleeping plan for beginners from June 10 to September 30. Price starts at 5,500 yen per vehicle per night. The plan was suspended after the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes unlimited access to hot springs, 24-hour restroom, and microwave. Limited to one vehicle per day on weekdays.

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.

The town of Nanbu announced plans to reopen the closed Fureai Hiroba Ryokusuiko auto campsite by the autumn peak season. The previous designated manager, Smile Cube, had its contract canceled. The municipality now intends to operate the site directly.

ALFLEX has announced a new variant of its popular ELEMENT series of camper vans. The model will debut on June 6, 2026 at the Kansai Camping Car Festival 2026 in Kobe, followed by a showing on June 13 at Motor Camp Expo 2026 in Osaka. Key features include a 1.7×1.6 m bunk bed, a pull-out kitchen with a two-burner stove and sink, and a modular system of trim and accessories that lets buyers choose colors and equipment. The MOBIFRAME seats meet international safety standards, include ISOFIX child seat anchors, and convert into a bed in about 20 seconds.