Five steps for those choosing car evacuation

The EXPEDITION STRIKER camper by Nippon Tokushu Body (NTB) has received the Audience Prize at the Phase Free Award 2026, organised by the Phase Free Association. The model became Japan's first camper to obtain Phase Free certification in May 2025. The Audience Prize is awarded through a public vote among the finalists. The award ceremony is scheduled for 26 September 2026 during Phase Free Meet 2026, where the vehicle will also be displayed.

Lawson will launch its RV Park motorhome parking facilities at store parking lots in Gifu and Mie prefectures for the first time on October 9. The initiative, in partnership with Glory and the Japan RV Association, adds four stores in Gifu and five in Mie, bringing the total from 28 to 37 locations. The fee is 2,500–3,000 yen per space, with reservations made through a dedicated website. During the Silver Week holiday from September 19, more than half of the 28 stores had occupancy rates above 50%, and nine stores were fully booked for all four days except the final day. The company aims to expand to approximately 70 stores by fiscal 2026, including in Kyushu, Shikoku, Kanto, and Tohoku.

The 26th Kurashiki Motorhome Festival will take place on 3–4 October 2026 in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture. Around 70 motorhomes will be displayed at the LAC Mobil Kurashiki venue, including 4WD Mercedes-Benz-based models and next-generation EV models. Admission is free, opening hours are 10:00–17:00, and free parking for 50 vehicles is available.

Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has clarified that overnight stays in motorhomes are not permitted in general parking areas at roadside stations (michi-no-eki), but some stations provide separate zones where overnight parking is officially allowed. An article dated 17 September 2026 lists five such stations in Chiba and Gunma prefectures, including some with hot springs. According to the Japan RV Association, there were 686 certified RV Parks nationwide as of the end of August 2026, an increase of 87 over eight months.

The 7th Camping & Outdoor Festival will be held in Suzuka on September 19–20. The programme includes test drives of the Kia PB5 electric camper based on a cab-over chassis, shown in Japan for the first time, and a disaster preparedness seminar.

EV GARDEN is opening the drive-oriented coffee brand BOO BOO COFFEE and the overnight parking facility MOBILITY LOUNGE at EV GARDEN Fukushima on September 18. BOO BOO COFFEE, developed with ONIBUS COFFEE, offers four blends for different coffee-drinking scenarios while driving and operates from 7:00 to 11:00. MOBILITY LOUNGE, jointly operated with Culture Convenience Club, provides overnight parking for 2000 yen on weekdays and 2500 yen on weekends and holidays, with reservations and payments via a dedicated app. The company aims to expand to 200 locations by the end of fiscal 2027 and 1000 locations by the end of fiscal 2030.