Two New RV Parks Open in Japan: Onsen Views and Barrel Sauna

A journalist from DRIMO spent six months living in a standard kei car, a Daihatsu Move 2016, without any modifications. He slept in the car parked at a campsite, used a laundromat weekly, and cooked with a portable electric rice cooker. Despite the limited space (interior length 2080 mm, height 1280 mm, width 1320 mm), he says it is manageable, but notes that super height wagons like the Daihatsu Tanto or Honda N-BOX are more suitable for long-term living.

The author, who has 15 years of experience sleeping in cars, chose the 'Yadocarry' camper based on a light truck because its removable living module can be transferred to a new truck. The interior height is about 180 cm, the bed width is 90 cm, and power is supplied by a portable battery of around 2000 Wh, which can be charged while driving or via solar panels.

The Japan RV Association has certified a new RV park, 'RV Park Unnan Michi-no-Eki Sakura no Sato Kisuki Green Park', in Unnan, Shimane Prefecture. Located near the roadside station 'Sakura no Sato Kisuki' and the Hii River embankment, a famous cherry blossom spot, the park offers 4 parking spaces at 3,500 yen per night. Facilities include 24-hour toilets, free electricity, water, and trash disposal. It serves as a convenient base for visiting Izumo Taisha shrine and Matsue city.

Toyota and tuning partner Modellista have unveiled the 2026 Sienta Juno, based on the hybrid Sienta Z. The model features modular camping packages that convert the seven-seat MPV into a compact camper. Prices start at 3,713,600 yen for the front-wheel-drive version and 3,928,100 yen for the E-Four all-wheel-drive version. The four accessory packages are sold separately, ranging from 165,000 to 330,000 yen.

Governor Motohiro Ono of Saitama visited Japan Special Body's plant in Koshigaya on August 6, 2026, to inspect Phase-Free certified campers and discuss their use for disaster prevention and regional development.

In Oarai, Ibaraki Prefecture, the unmanned trailer hotel CUBE6, operated by the day-use hot spring facility Shiosai-no-Yu, has opened. Each of the six rooms features Simmons mattresses, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and amenities. Guests receive free entry to the hot spring and sauna, which overlook the Pacific Ocean. Rates are 8,000 yen per person and 13,000 yen for two per night.