Vanlife roundup: Freiburg lecture, Iwate forest camping, and an abandoned JNR bus

Japanese company Snow Peak has launched the Field Rise rooftop tent with inflatable frames. The tent features entry doors on both sides, all-weather protection, and an awning. Setup is quick due to the air frame. Priced from ¥396,000, it will be available in Japan soon.

Japanese travel app NEWT (operated by Reiwa Travel) has released a ranking of the top 30 campsites with stunning highland and lakeside views, based on a survey of 5,300 sites nationwide. The evaluation covered five criteria: scenery/location, seasonality/conditions, food satisfaction, activities/experiences, and cultural/comfortable stay environment. The top spot went to 'Boiboi Camp' in Oita Prefecture (98/100), followed by 'Rising Field Karuizawa' in Nagano (96/100) and 'PICA Fuji Saiko' in Yamanashi (95/100).

Camping Car Co., Ltd., distributor of the 'RapPon Sunny' portable toilet, announced a campaign on its e-commerce site 'Outdoor119': from April 30 to May 31, 2026, buyers get double the special film (up to 120 uses). The device requires no water and seals waste hermetically, addressing water outage needs after earthquakes.

Assist You Co., Ltd. has deployed AI cameras at the Katarau-Stand campsite in Gokase, Miyazaki Prefecture. This marks the first full-scale installation of AI cameras at a campsite in the prefecture. The 'AI KIDs' system detects people and vehicles, monitors crossings of virtual lines and intrusions into designated areas, and sends alerts. The cameras operate 24/7, including nighttime via infrared, and footage can be accessed remotely via smartphone or PC.

Glamping operator Solana Resort launches Solana Private Villa and Solana Beach Villa. First units open summer 2025 in Yamanashi and Chiba prefectures.

An owner of a 2018 Mitsubishi Delica D5 (D-Power Package, 7 seats, 4WD, 2.3L diesel) shared their experience. The vehicle performs well on rough roads and during long trips. For a family of four on a 2–3 day camping trip, there is enough storage inside and on the roof (2–3 boxes). Real fuel consumption is 8 km/L.