Campervan-ing Japan

[leeds_skier 0]

Hey guys

first post today. Great forum...I cant wait to come and ski Japan

 

So, myself and a friend are thinking about hiring a campervan for 2 months to drive around and visit a few ski resorts this winter.

 

Has anyone else done this? Any tips would be much appreciated?

 

Are you allowed to camp in carparks or on the side of the road in Japan? specifically at ski resorts... does anyone else do this?

 

Also any must see destinations that are a bit out of the way would be cool.

 

Thanks

leeds_skier

[NoFakie 45]

Japanese for camper van is キャンピングカー

Rental is レンタル

 

Good luck searching but campervans aren't common. I guess that hiring a regular car and staying in lodges/inns would be cheaper.

[Metabo Oyaji 71]

Googling "キャンピングカー　レンタル" does pop up a bunch of places, even ones near Narita.

Cost looks like 13,000-15,000 yen/day, though -- yikes!

[gerard 6]

I've slept in my car a couple of times. If you're a little discrete you can pretty much 'camp' anywhere for free but of course the cost of renting the camper-van sounds high. On the other hand, you can easily find comfortable accommodations for 5000 yen or less, including a meal or two.

[Chriselle 158]

I had a camper van until I traded it in on the LandCruiser I have now. That was about 5 years ago. So, yes I've done my share of camping/driving/camping throughout Japan. Should you happen to find a rental it's pretty easy to park for free at "michi no ekis".....which are service areas on regular roads. They always have bathroom facilities and many have onsens as well.

 

I however, do agree with the others that it might be wise to think about just finding cheap lodgings. Certainly, not as exciting but definitely more comfortable.

[leeds_skier 0]

Thanks for your reply's.

 

I actually already have a quote for a campervan.

So for 52 days rental of a 6 berth camper it works out at 10,974 yen a day.

That will be shared between 2 of us for the majority of the time, and should be just about enough room for us with all our skiing gear.

 

Is that a lot of money for Japan? It doesn't seem to be for me when I convert it to pounds.

[Chriselle 158]

No,, that's pretty damned reasonable actually. Can you give me your rental source? My kid wants to go on a camping trip and I'm not into tenting so much these days.

[gozaimaas 61]

I would like to know aswell. I am doing 6 weeks in hokkaido and trying to sum up if I should rent a van and camp in that or just rent a smaller cheaper car and stay in a pension every night.

[snowdude 44]

Well one thing to bare in mind is that campervans are meant for the warm season, not for snow, so you may find it difficult to drive in the snow and if like the one I used when I was in Australia is rear wheel drive it may be a bit of a handful.

Alhough roads are bulldozed and kept fairy clear, in the snowy areas especially off the beaten track you may find yourself getting stuck .

Just another thing for you to consider.

 

[Chriselle 158]

Yes Snowdude....There is that. It's the main reason I got rid of my van. I had new snow tires on it ... with chains and I'd still get stuck. One morning I was sitting on an incline when stopped on my local mountain pass and the damned thing started sliding backwards all on it's own. Freaked the hell out me. It stopped after about a 10 ft slide and didn't hit anything so I was lucky. If it weren't for crappy winter performance I would have kept it.

It was a lot fun otherwise and I had quite a bit of time invested in it as I bought it new as a "1" number ...camperized it myself and registered it as an "8" number.

[yamabushi 3]

I would think that you can stay at most resort parking lots just fine. If you make it to Hakkoda you can park next to the guy that spends two months out of the year camping there on his minivan.

 

If you make it to Hakkoda on your way to Hokkaido send me a PM. I'm up there about twice a week, I'll be happy to show you around.

[MagSeven 40]

In addition to what snowdude pointed out, I don't imagine the insulation on a standard rental campervan would be much use on a cold January night in somewhere like Asahikawa. You'd probably have to spend a bit to winterize the van before setting off.

[Chriselle 158]

Yes....if going to Hokkaido...winterize the water system as I doubt you'd be able to use it anyways. Get a 20 gallon water carbouy and use that water for cooking etc....crap and pee outside.

[leeds_skier 0]

Andrew from Japan RV rental kindly found the quote for me.

 

I did specifically ask about snow tyres which in response he said-

"Snow tires are fitted to the vehicle during winter months."

But after Chriselle's comments I might invest/rent a pair of snow chains as well when we arrive to be safe.

 

A few more details about the quote.....

"50% discount is applied for the rental over a month.

 

570,675 JPY (Original price 1,141,350 JPY) From Oikos Rental

For 8 people to ride, 6 people to sleep ( Might be a bit tight with six people sleeping together though.)"

 

MagSeven, as for the cold, I checked and the camper has a gas heater so we'll be able to keep warm at least, but just as Chriselle mentions above I did wonder if the toilet might freeze up. But at least it wont smell then

 

Thanks for the info yamabushi. We will certainly give you a shout when/if we make it up to Hakkoda. That was one of the areas we were hoping to visit! Sounds great.

[SnowJapan 178]

Hi leeds_skier and welcome.

 

Firstly, apologies there was an issue with your account, but I have sorted it out now. So you should be ok to post now.

 

Regarding the question you had about posting links, please (re)check our the guidelines here ( coz I'm sure you read them thoroughly when you signed up )

 

http://www.snowjapan...nes-the-basics/

 

Thanks and have fun!

[leeds_skier 0]

Thanks SJ-David

Ah, I must have missed those guidelines

 

Fair enough.

[SnowJapan 178]

You're welcome, I'm sure people can use google or other search engine if they like.

 

We prefer to not make an issue of it, than make an issue of it.

 

Cheers.

[NoFakie 45]

Sounds all right that.

 

(Might be worth trying Oikos rental direct if you want the best deal)

[Chriselle 158]

A few pics of the old van....I kinda miss it...

 

 

[Jerro 0]

How many is that supposed to fit, Chriselle?

[hellyer 216]

I have heard that it fits 12.

 

One man and 11 women

[pie-eater 207]

I suppose it depends on the size

 

 

 

[hellyer 216]

 

best/worst one ever Pieman

[hellyer 216]

I wonder how long it's been since she saw her knees or feet

[Chriselle 158]

It slept 5 I suppose but we never used the back bed that went across the kitchen space. The front bed folded down to a respectable 210cm x 175cm ...so enough for two adults and toddler. That IS your best one yet Pie Eater....