Four roadside stations in Wakayama Prefecture allow overnight stays with hot springs

Yuka Suzuki, a former AKB48 member and travel YouTuber with over 600,000 subscribers, converted a Nissan NV100 Clipper commercial van into a camper. The van, which her father was going to dispose of, was given to her. The conversion included a bed, monitor, sink, acrylic windows with wooden frames, LED lighting, a refrigerator, and underfloor heating. Suzuki also obtained a manual transmission license in 2024 to drive a wider range of vehicles.

In Taketa, Oita Prefecture, Grand Park Nagayu RV Park offers overnight parking for motorhomes with a 24-hour free-flowing bicarbonate spring. The rate is 3000 yen per pitch for up to four adults, plus a 1000 yen per-person facility fee. Paid sauna and indoor camping spaces are also available. Nearby, the Kua Park Nagayu thermal facility, designed by architect Shigeru Ban, provides bicarbonate spring baths and does not supply chemical detergents or shampoo to maximise the water's effects.

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.

Ogusho has unveiled the ES Tough Spec Concept based on the Nissan Caravan. The vehicle features bolt-on interior components that can be installed by the owner without modifying the body. It uses high-durability Cordura materials for seat covers, bed mats and the center console. The layout allows carrying a 125cc motorcycle while maintaining a sleeping area. The bed mat height is set at 42 cm, with a three-section left mat and a fold-up right bed. The model is designed for both daily use and outdoor leisure.

The Japan RV Association has certified a park in Mie Prefecture for overnight stays in vehicles. Iseji Auto Camp & RV Park provides 24-hour toilets and power supply, with hot springs nearby. Such sites are presented as a solution to safety concerns associated with sleeping in cars.

The article presents three mattresses for car camping, selected by an author with over 15 years of experience. They include the Cainz "5-layer long floor cushion resistant to sagging" priced at 3980 yen (tax included), the OnlyStyle "Car camping exclusive mattress" with an inflator system that self-inflates and allows firmness adjustment, and the Futon Factory "Car camping exclusive shikibuton (flat)" made by the long-established bedding manufacturer Shikoku Sen'i Hanbai in Kagawa Prefecture, available in widths from 60 to 170 cm. The publication aims to help choose a mattress matching a specific vehicle sleeping setup.