Camper Van Hire In Japan (A Beginners Guide)
So, you’re planning a trip to Japan and thinking “what if we just… drove ourselves around? “First of all, bold. Second of all, amazing choice. A camper van hire in Japan is a MUST!
We recently did exactly that – hired a camper van in Tokyo and hit the road for five days of epic Japan Travel. Our route took us from the chaos of Tokyo to the peaceful lakeside views of Mt. Fuji and finally to snowy Nagano (hello snow monkeys 🐒).
Spoiler alert: Japan might just be one of the best places to try camper van life for the first time.
In this guide, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about camper van hire in Japan – the rules, the costs, the “oh no, we forgot the thing” moments, and all the pro tips we wish we knew before we hit the road.
Japan Mini Guide
How to travel Japan in bite-sized form to help you plan less and travel more!
Want to watch not read? Check out the Vlogs here.
Best time to visit
- Peak Tourist Season (Spring – March to May) 🌸
- Best Time to Travel ( Autumn September to November) 🍁
Where to stay Tokyo
- ($) 9H Akasaka Sleep Lab
- ($$) Royal Park Canvas Ginza
- ($$$) The Okura Tokyo
TOP ATTRACTIONS
*prices shown are accurate at the time of writing and, unless otherwise stated are in USD.
Why We Chose to Hire a Camper van in Japan
Yes, the trains in Japan are iconic. Yes, they’re fast. But we wanted something a little different, with a bit more freedom, a lot more spontaneity, and ideally, some (cc: ALOT) roadside vending machine snacks.
Enter: the camper van.
Campervanning meant we could wake up to a view of Mt. Fuji, visit hidden onsens, and stay in weird little countryside parking lots with zero tourists. Dreamy.
Japan Google Maps Locations to your email! 👇
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Can You Actually Hire a Camper Van in Japan as a Tourist?
Short answer: YES. Long answer: Yes, but there are a few things you need to know.
✅ You’ll Need:
- Your original driver’s license
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) based on the 1949 Geneva Convention (NOT the 1968 one – very important!)
- To be at least 18, though some rental companies require you to be 21+
What The Heck Is An IDP?
So, an IDP stands for International Driving Permit; essentially, it is an internationally recognised translation of your driver’s license.
Okay, simple enough until you realise there are a couple of different versions..
The 1968 Convention Version
This one is accepted widely throughout Europe, but not in Japan!!
The 1949 Convention Version
🚨 This is the one you need for Japan 🚨
Unfortunately, this one can take a little longer to process and is tougher to get – the 1949 version is an actual physical copy of your translation.
There are only a handful of places that accept this version, and unfortunately, Japan is one of them!
We’re from Australia, and we grabbed our IDP through the RAA. Due to some last-minute decisions, we were already on the road when we realized that we needed a physical IDP.
Thankfully, the RAA offers international shipping, and Samurai Campervan was happy for us to get it delivered straight to their office! 🎉
‼️ Note: You will need to have your IDP whether doing a van rental or car rental!
Where to Hire a Camper Van in Japan (And Who We Booked With)
There are a bunch of rental companies to choose from, depending on your vibe and your budget. Almost all of them will offer cute compact vans that have everything you will need for your campervan trip around Japan.
We will chat about it soon, but with the high-quality of Michi-no-Ekis (roadside stations), dotted all around the country, what you think you need in a van, aka a toilet, you might actually be fine without!
So, we looked for a van that:
- Had enough space for us and our things
- Had a bed that would fit Jordan (aka a 6”1 cutie pie)
- Wasn’t too big, we wanted to be able to zip around in traffic no problem!
Who To Rent With:
Alright, let’s quickly go over some of the top options when it comes to renting a van in Japan!
🚌 Samurai Campers (Who We Went With!)
- Based in Tokyo with pick-up locations all round Japan
- Simple, well-maintained vans
- Super helpful staff and easy pickup process
- They even upgraded us for free – WOO!
We booked through Samurai Campers and picked up our van in Tokyo. The pickup location was easy to find, we caught a train and did a short walk from Tokyo to get there (located here on google maps), and honestly, the whole experience was super smooth. The staff were friendly, explained everything clearly, and got us on the road in no time.
PLUS, with our little mishap of the IDP they were incredibly kind – letting us get the physical International Drivers Permit delivered to their Tokyo branch so it was there when we picked up our keys!
👉 Book your camper van with Samurai: check availability now! 🚨
💸 Imoova (who we would have booked with!)
For the uninitiated, Imoova is a third party service that offers relocation deals for campervans and cars all over the globe – including Japan – for just $1 a day!
Think of it as the link between the rental company 🤝 and you! Check out their current deals here!
So, this just might be one of our favourite travel hacks, right behind Trusted Housesitters, it makes renting a campervan budget-friendly! Yes, you have to be flexible with your times and how quickly you are willing to move but renting a van for $1? SIGN ME UP!
Overall we have done 5 of these now, across Australia, New Zealand and Europe, and have had a blast every single time. Sure, it does end up costing more than $1 a day but it is still wildly cheaper than if we were to rent these vans ourselves.
🔥 Our Top Pick
Snag a $1/day campervan deal on Imoova – it’s how we travel on the cheap!
🛞 Overland Japan
Think of it as a more camping car option, with 4WD you can get off the beaten path and explore Japan’s hidden gems!
- Premium van conversions with adventure-focused layouts
- Geared toward long-term or off-the-beaten-path travelers
- Pricier but great for outdoor enthusiasts or those who want 4WD fun!
💰 Japan Campers
- Great for budget travelers
- Vans are a bit older but totally functional
- Good for first-timers and short trips
🌍 Indie Campers
- International company with multilingual support
- App-based booking
- We’ve used them before in Europe and had a great experience
What’s It Like Driving in Japan?
Honestly? Not bad! Thankfully, we didn’t need to switch sides of the road (they drive on the left BTW). Plus, our van was sizable yet petite, so it was instantly smooth sailing from the get-go!
In any case, there are a few things to know about to make your journey smoother, easier and more budget-friendly!
Toll Roads
You will have the option to use toll roads almost every time you drive and most vans will come with an ETC card (Electronic Toll Collection Card).
The good news? They can save you A LOT of time! Like, driving from Tokyo to Fuji avoiding tolls takes 5.5 hours BUT WILL TOLLS only 3!!
The bad news though.. They cost a pretty penny, hence why we avoided them for the most part! Taking the toll road from Tokyo to Fuji set us back a whopping $60 AUD 👀
If an ETC card is optional and you plan on taking a lot of toll roads, I would recommend opting in to having the card. It will make getting on and off the tolls quicker and means you just settle the bill at the end of your hire period when you drop your van off.
If, like us, your van doesn’t have an ETC card. You can still get toll roads, it just takes a tiny bit longer and you will need to pay for each toll road as you use it.
When you hop on a toll road you will clearly see signs for those cars equipped with or without the ETC card! Just hop into the correct lane and off you go!
Google Maps
A classic, reliable map system. Just make sure you select ‘avoid tolls’ if you want to avoid them!
However, to save your mobile data download the section of maps you will be using for offline use.
To do this:
- Open google maps
- Click your profile (your profile picture)
- Tap offline maps
- Select your own map
- Zoom in or out to ensure the area you want is selected
- Click download!
Apple Maps user? Try this!
- Open apple maps
- Click your prole (tap your profile picture)
- Select offline maps
- Tap add
- Search for location, zoom as needed
- Click download!
City Driving & Parking
Look, we avoided city driving like the plague. Do I think we could have done it if need be? Sure. However, I wouldn’t willingly drive around Tokyo CBD and find a car park!
Parking in Japan can be tiny and tight, especially in the cities! So, I recommend you embrace the smallest van possible unless you’re a reverse-parking god.
Where Do You Sleep in a Camper Van in Japan?
This is always the thing I am most anxious about when we hire a camper van. Especially when we are travelling as quickly as we were and have limited time for googling and research!
Luckily, all of that stress was for naught! Campervanning in Japan is a breeze and overnighting options are bountiful!
🏕️ Campsites
A classic for the van life community. You can find these from ¥1,000–3,000+ per night depending on location and if you want a powered site.
Campsites tend to have better facilities, with showers, and kitchens. A great option if you want to recharge (literally and figuratively).
If you are travelling in the busy season, opting for campsites can also go a way to easing your stress. No need to worry if there will be room at the Michi-no-Eki, you’ve got a site waiting for you!
🏪 Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Stations)
Say hello to our go-to option! FREE overnight parking all over the country, most with toilets and of course with vending machines because..well, Japan!
Fun fact: Michi-no-Eki translates to “roadside stations” or “way station”.
To make it easy, there are a couple of different apps you can download to help you find the best and closest Michi-no-Eki to you. I liked the “Michi Japan Road Guide Offline” app best!
In truth, these roadside stations are super safe and very Japanese (in the best way possible) you’ll even find some that are next to little markets, wifi and even onsens!!
We personally slept at Michi-no-Eki spots every night and loved it!
How to Tell if It’s a Michi-no-Eki
Okay, the first few nights we did get kinda stressed about if we were at the right spot for our overnight stay. Over time we noticed there are a few things to keep an eye out for to confirm we were at the right spot!
First, a sign! Nice and simple but there are often signs somewhere in the carpark or bathroom that mention the words “Michi-no-Eki”.
Or, ask someone else. I think we came across as odd for being confused about this to the few people we asked to confirm but I slept better knowing we were in the right spot!
Finally, check for wifi – almost all of the sites we stayed at had some form of wifi and that wifi would be named, drumroll please! MICHI-NO-EKI!!
Our 5-Day Japan Campervan Route
If you’re looking for a short and sweet campervan loop from Tokyo, this one’s a winner. We had our van for 5 days and wanted to make the most of our time, without feeling TOO rushed!
I’m not going to go into too much detail here, I will (eventually) write a blog post dedicated to our ultimate Japan Campervan Route.
For now, here is the bullet point version!
Day 1: Pick up the van in Tokyo, drive to Fujikawaguchiko via toll roads (bye-bye $60! 😭)
Day 2: Explore the Mount Fuji Area at your own pace and search for the best viewpoints! (Lake Kawaguchiko, Iconic Lawsons, Chureito Pagoda and more!)
Day 3: Drive to Nagano. We were there in December and did encounter some snowy mountain roads but it was totally manageable (and stressful 😅).
Day 4: Head to Jigokudani Monkey Park bright and early for opening time to get the snow monkeys to yourself! Worth the early morning! Begin the drive back to Tokyo!
Day 5: Continue your road trip day, queue long drives avoiding tolls and plenty of stops at convenience stores for all the Japanese snacks!
What to Pack for a Camper Van Trip in Japan
Alright, you’re going to be short on space so packing tactfully is a must! And this list is going to be changeable depending on time of year and type of van you have.
One major negative of our Samurai Camper Van was it didn’t come with a big comfy duvet. So, after a VERY cold night, we headed off to a charity shop, spent $20 and purchased some blankets so we wouldn’t freeze!
Here are my basics for packing for a van in Japan.
- Offline Google Maps (just in case)
- Warm clothes for nighttime (yes, even in spring)
- Flip-flops or slippers for the van
- Snacks. Always snacks. And plenty of water!
- This attachment for your phone, so even if your van is older you can easily have navigation showing (Australian Amazon | USA Amazon)
- Packing Cubes, so your clothes can still be somewhat organised in the chaos!
How Much Does Camper Van Hire in Japan *Actually* Cost?
Let’s talk about money. Because while we love the aesthetic of vanlife, we also love not being broke.
Here’s a rough breakdown for a 5-day campervan trip in Japan:
| Item | Cost (JPY) | Notes |
| Campervan rental | ¥42,500 | Depends on size, season, insurance |
| Fuel | ¥18,472 | We drove from Japan to Fuji, Nagano and back over 5 days! |
| Tolls | ¥6,130 | Tolls are SPENNY but save you a lot of time. We only took one from Tokyo to Fuji! |
| TOTAL | ¥67,102 |
In total our trip came to ¥67,103 JPY / $755.17 AUD or just ¥13,420 JPY / $151.03 AUD per day!
So yeah, not “cheap,” but 100% worth it for the freedom. Plus, if you’re splitting with a partner or friend, it’s way cheaper than two train passes + hotels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a camper van in Japan?
For our 5 day adventure, we spent ¥67,103 JPY / $755.17 AUD
👉 Want it to be cheaper? Check out Imoova for $1-a-day relocation deals!
Can you hire a camper van in Japan?
Yes and you should! It is a fun and unique way to explore Japan!
Can you rent RV in Japan?
Check out Japan RV Rental!
What are the disadvantages of traveling in a campervan?
Sure driving internationally can be stressful but we think travelling in a campervan has way more advantages than disadvantages!!
Where Can I Pick Up A Van in Japan?
Depending on which company you go through there are pickups all across Japan, from Osaka to Narita Airport, down to Fukuoka and more!
What are the things you wish you knew before renting a van?
Check out our dedicated blog post here!
Final Tips for Camper Van Hire in Japan
- Book early if you’re going in spring or autumn – vans do sell out!
- Double-check IDP requirements for your country
- Don’t stress about perfection – embrace the weird detours and wrong turns
- Don’t rent a huge van unless you love a tight squeeze
Final Thoughts
Would we do a camper van hire in Japan again? In a word, yes.
Campervanning in Japan gave us a completely different experience of the country – peaceful, flexible, and full of little moments you just don’t get on a train or plane. If you love road trips, van life, or just doing Japan a little differently, this is for you.
Got questions? Drop them in the comments or DM us on Insta – we’re always down to chat van life or snow monkeys 🐒
