Kumamoto Earthquake: Sleeping in Car Led to Father's Death

The author, traveling in a DIY-converted Toyota Lite Ace, spent 400 nights sleeping in his vehicle over two years, 300 of them at roadside stations. He selected five top stations in the Tohoku region, judging them on toilet cleanliness, flat parking, and quietness. The article is published in partnership with DRIMO magazine.

Nippon Tokushu Body (NTB) unveiled the new GeoRoam camper based on the Isuzu Beecam Wide Cab chassis. The motorhome features a wider cab (1995 mm) and a longer wheelbase (3415 mm) for more interior space. The interior uses natural wood, including cedar countertops and floors. The fixed bed measures 1800x910 mm, expanding to 2030x1780 mm when converted. Prices start at 21.78 million yen, with the top version at 23.65 million yen.

In Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, evacuation involving overnight stays in vehicles (shachūhaku) faces support limitations due to difficulties in tracking evacuees. Dedicated parking areas for this purpose are also underused. The situation was observed in Uki City, at the Ogawa Disaster Prevention Center parking lot, where evacuees were seen on July 30.

In Japan, the use of motorhomes to accommodate medical and other teams heading to the Kumamoto earthquake zone is expanding. Industry associations and local governments are stepping up cooperation to provide mobile housing for personnel working in affected areas.

Hamamatsu Zoo in Chuo Ward has installed three trailer-type rest facilities with air conditioning to help visitors cope with the intense heat. The units were unveiled on August 10.

Japanese YouTuber Chomoka, who runs the channel 'chomocamp' about solo camping and car sleeping, shared her style of traveling in a used car purchased for 380,000 yen. She started posting videos in 2019, and in 2020, after appearing on a BS TV Tokyo program, her channel gained popularity, surpassing 50,000 subscribers. Chomoka noted that camping became a popular leisure activity during the pandemic, and her style involves fitting personal preferences into a small space.