Renovated trailer park in Japan combines tourism with disaster relief

The Shikabe tourism association on Hokkaido has launched a trial renting out trailers as accommodation. The trailers, intended for use as emergency shelter, are now available to tourists. The experiment is being conducted on a site next to a roadside station.

The Shikabe Onsen Tourism Association started offering overnight stays in a trailer placed on municipal land adjacent to the Michi-no-Eki Shikabe Kanketsu Park on the 16th. The trailer was installed by NTTME in 2025 as part of a demonstration project.

Nissan has unveiled the Interstar-e Relax, an electric camper developed with German specialist Eifelland. Based on Nissan's large van, the vehicle accommodates four people and features a kitchen, a double bed, and swiveling front seats. The 87 kWh battery provides a WLTP range of up to 657 km, and DC fast charging supports up to 130 kW. The electric motor delivers 143 hp and 300 Nm of torque.

Direct Cars presented a limited-edition camper based on the Daihatsu Hijet Truck, developed in collaboration with workwear brand Dickies, at the Tokyo Camping Car Show 2026. The vehicle seats four, includes a kitchen, refrigerator, air conditioner, 200 Ah lithium-ion battery, and 2000 W inverter. Sales are limited until June 28, 2027.

Towa Motors has updated its Buddy 108 mini motorhome, built on the Hijet truck platform. The model now features a DC air conditioning system while retaining its compact dimensions and pop-up roof. It seats four people, is available in two layouts (Type S and Type L), and includes an auxiliary battery. The price in Japan is 5,560,500 yen.

The Japan RV Association has certified 32 new 'RV Park' overnight parking facilities as of the end of July. Of these, 23 are 'Convenience RV Parks' located at Lawson parking lots. The remaining nine include 'RV Park Shodoshima Daikanon' in Kagawa Prefecture, where visitors can tour the inside of a Kannon statue, and 'Tamagawa Gorge RV Park' in Wakayama Prefecture, situated along a river. The total number of such sites across Japan now stands at 676.