Xiaomi enters the camper market with the SkyNomad brand · VanLife Weekly #28
Xiaomi launches the SkyNomad brand and enters the camper market. Plus new models at the Tokyo Camping Car Show and 80% of Turkey's caravan makers closing.
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Small town · Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
VanSky index for Asso, Japan — 35 out of 100 (Challenging). Decide in seconds: temperature, precipitation, wind and solar output. Data refreshed several times a day from real weather observations.
The main score is weekly (7-day average). The “Today” toggle shows the current day, and the region page compares cities “by area”.
Asso, Japan — VanSky 35 out of 100. Difficult — consider alternatives. Ranked #500 of 1486 cities in the country (as of 16 July 2026). Temperature 34°C, wind 17 km/h. Solar panels yield 2.9 kWh/day at 400 W — enough for full autonomy.
A weather comfort index for travel: a 0–100 score. Recalculated daily from live weather data — temperature, rainfall, wind and sun.
How it's calculated:
Data: Open-Meteo · Updated several times a day
Asso ranks 969 of 1486 cities. Country average VanSky — 32.
Updated: 11.07.2026
Regular
$1.03 /l
JPY166.21 · €0.90/l
30 of 133
cheaper than 78% of countries
High-octane
$1.09 /l
JPY176.46 · €0.95/l
15 of 92
cheaper than 85% of countries
軽油
$0.96 /l
JPY155.14 · €0.84/l
21 of 134
cheaper than 85% of countries
At the Tokyo Outdoor Show 2026 in Makuhari, Chiba, Toyota Mobility Parts displayed the Wan!PiNG ACE bed kit for the Toyota Sienta, designed for sleeping with pets. The kit includes two mattresses (1830×1240 mm) and a frame that requires no body modifications. Interior height is 675 mm, under-bed storage space is up to 460 mm. Bed load capacity is 200 kg. Total kit weight is 45 kg, price is 257,400 yen. Four upholstery colors are available.
The owner of the trailer music bar 'La Peña' (Spanish for 'club') announced a relocation due to the inability to continue operations at the current site after late autumn 2026. The move requires 500,000 yen for trailer transport, 1,200,000 yen for water supply work at two locations, and 300,000 yen for land lease. After relocation, the bar plans to extend opening hours and rent out the space as a daytime rental.
Hairdresser Mika launched a crowdfunding campaign for a trip around Japan in a mini motorhome with her cat Ten-chan. The goal is to raise 10 million yen for vehicle purchase, equipment (car air conditioner, portable power supply) and contingencies. During the trip, she plans to provide haircut services on-site, after obtaining permits from local health authorities. The start is scheduled for November-December 2026.
The town of Hokuei has installed a multi-purpose cottage at the Hojo Auto Campground in Kunisaka, which can be used as temporary housing during disasters. The structure is a relocatable mobile building (container house) and was unveiled to stakeholders on the 14th. It is set to open on the 17th.
Starting July 15, 2026, JAPAN C.R.C. offers a 5% discount on RV-Park.jp bookings for camper renters and a 30% discount on Happy1 Premium kei camper rentals.
Lawson has started renting out parking spaces at its stores for overnight camper stays at 2,500 yen per night. Following a pilot in Chiba Prefecture, the service is expanding to about 70 locations in the Tokyo metropolitan area and tourist destinations like Saitama, Shizuoka, and Kanagawa. Each spot covers two parking bays, with 24-hour restroom access and garbage collection included. Idling is prohibited, making it uncomfortable for non-electric vehicles in extreme temperatures.
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