leeds_skier 0 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 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 Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 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. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 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! Link to post Share on other sites
gerard 6 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 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. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 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. Link to post Share on other sites
leeds_skier 0 Posted September 12, 2012 Author Share Posted September 12, 2012 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. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 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. Link to post Share on other sites
gozaimaas 61 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 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. Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 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. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 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. Link to post Share on other sites
yamabushi 3 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 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. Link to post Share on other sites
MagSeven 40 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 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. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 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. Link to post Share on other sites
leeds_skier 0 Posted September 13, 2012 Author Share Posted September 13, 2012 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. Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted September 13, 2012 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted September 13, 2012 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! Link to post Share on other sites
leeds_skier 0 Posted September 13, 2012 Author Share Posted September 13, 2012 Thanks SJ-David Ah, I must have missed those guidelines Fair enough. Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted September 13, 2012 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted September 13, 2012 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. Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 Sounds all right that. (Might be worth trying Oikos rental direct if you want the best deal) Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 A few pics of the old van....I kinda miss it... Link to post Share on other sites
Jerro 0 Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 How many is that supposed to fit, Chriselle? Link to post Share on other sites
hellyer 216 Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 I have heard that it fits 12. One man and 11 women Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 I suppose it depends on the size Link to post Share on other sites
hellyer 216 Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 best/worst one ever Pieman Link to post Share on other sites
hellyer 216 Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 I wonder how long it's been since she saw her knees or feet Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 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.... Link to post Share on other sites
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