Toyota Crown Estate owner shares 10-month experience for car camping trips

At the Tokyo Camping Car Show 2026 in Tokyo on July 11–12, 2026, Nissan Peesfield Craft unveiled the new Serena P-SV (Pop-up Roof Sleeping Version) based on the facelifted Serena launched in February 2026. The model features a manual pop-up roof with hydraulic dampers, creating an upper bed area of 2250×1100×1150 mm; combined with an optional lower bunk, it sleeps up to four people. Height is 1980 mm (2WD) or 2005 mm (4WD) when closed, and 3020 mm when raised. The roof offers closed and mesh positions for light and ventilation control, and includes a standard rain cover. Optional electrical equipment includes a heater, auxiliary battery, voltmeter, and dual socket. All powertrain and drivetrain options are available. Prices range from 3,795,000 yen (X, 2WD) to 5,151,300 yen (e-4ORCE Highway Star V, 4WD) including tax, approximately 1 million yen above the base model.

Honda Access held an 'Outdoor Experience Photo Session' at Camp Nano Koshigaya in Saitama Prefecture. The event featured a car-sleeping concept based on the Honda Civic RS. A Nitori mattress and foldable seats were used to create a sleeping area. The setup accommodates two people.

Japanese company Annex RV introduced the Liberty 52 REi motorhome built on a Toyota Camroad chassis. At about 5.2 meters long, it is shorter than the Toyota Hilux and Volkswagen Amarok. The camper can carry up to eight people, with a U-shaped lounge, sleeping for five, a kitchen, and a compact bathroom. It features a 3.0L diesel engine (144 hp), 6-speed automatic, optional all-wheel drive, and lithium-ion batteries up to 9.6 kWh. Price is around 16 million yen, available only in Japan.

On July 26 at around 6:50 p.m., a camper reported a bear sighting at the Lake Kussharo campground in Hamatonbetsu, Hokkaido. The bear, about 1.5 meters long, emerged from woods east of the campground, walked about 300 meters north, and disappeared back into the forest. At the time, 20 to 30 campers were present; no injuries have been reported. The campground was immediately closed as a precaution. Police are patrolling the area and urging caution.

At the 2026 TOKYO OUTDOOR SHOW held June 26–28 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, the Easy Camper service by SH was showcased. It converts Toyota HiAce or Nissan NV200 vans into sleepable campers using a basic kit (seats and bed) starting at ¥680,000. The JIZAI seats can be reconfigured into facing seats or a flat floor for sleeping, and are compliant with Japanese vehicle inspection. Delivery takes as little as two days after the vehicle is handed over.

At the Tokyo Outdoor Show 2026, held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, portable air conditioners, ventilation fans, and refrigerators were showcased to combat heat during car camping trips. Highlights include the Outfield Breeze Box portable AC (59,800 yen), a dedicated ventilation fan for the Mitsubishi Delica D:5 by 37CAMP, a Danner collaboration ventilated shirt (32,780 yen), the ICECO GOPack12 portable refrigerator (approx. 7.1 kg), and the Alpicool HBS-1901 frozen drink maker. Also featured was the BougeRV mist fan (12,980 yen).