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How to overnight in a campervan in Japan?



In a country like Japan where parking on the street is illegal, and any attempt to leave the car on an unmarked place can result in a high fine, it may seem that finding a place (free or relatively cheap) to sleep inside the camper van is not a simple matter. Nothing more misleading! There are thousands of free parking spots with a clean restroom where you can stay overnight, as long as you know how to find them.

1. Michi no Eki - road stations

Michi no Eki are rest areas for drivers located along public - unpaid roads throughout Japan, aimed at promoting local tourism and trade. These free parking spaces offer overnight spots, you can use the toilet, have lunch, buy local products and souvenirs from the market, get information about sightseeing and use the free Wi-Fi. The most popular places to sleep in RVs among Japan Campers customers.
Michi no Eki
Michi no Eki in Okuhida

✓​ Pros:
  • Free, open all year round parking areas
  • Good quality restroom open 24 hours a day
  • A grocery store open from 9am to 6pm  
  • Vending machines
  • Local tourist information
  • The variety of facilities depends on the station e.g. hot springs, restaurants, showers, observation decks, playgrounds for kids, museums, free Wi-Fi etc. 
  • Over 1100 station throughout Japan with easy access from JC iPad’s application
✘​ Cons:
  • Usually crowded on weekends and public holiday 
  • Outside the big cities  

2. Highway Service Areas

Service Areas (SA) and Parking Areas (PA) are large parking spaces along plenty of highways in Japan providing (usually) exclusive standards for toilets and restaurants – which is due to “exclusive” motorways’ fees. Great opportunity for staying overnight in a camper van for those who choose a faster way of traveling. Remember that you will not be alone there. Many truck drivers use Highway Services Areas, so make sure you park as far as possible to avoid a loud night.
Service Area Yoshinogawa
Service Area in Yoshinogawa

​✓​ Pros:
  • Free and open all year
  • Good quality restrooms 
  • Rubbish containers 
  • Restaurant, cafe, vending machine 
  • The variety of facilities depends on the service area e.g. onsen, showers, restaurants, souvenir shops etc. ​
​✘ Cons
  • At night it can be loud - many truck drivers sleep all night with the engine running

3. Free and wild parking spots with toilets

Toyota Hiace Petit Nara CampingFree parking in Nara
For those who prefer more independent camping, Japan provides thousands of free parking spots with restroom outside big cities, along main roads.
The general conditions of these places are rather basic, compering with official road stations, but even in the middle of nowhere you will be surprised to see a nice and clean parking with toilet and vending machines. Such things only in Japan!
These places are usually located near scenic spots or recreational areas, so in exchange for lower standards you can spend quiet night in a beautiful park, on a lake, river, near a wild hot spring or on a hill with a breathtaking view. These places can be easily found while driving, but they are not marked on an official website or application (e.g. Michi no Eki stations). Japan Campers provides a map with hundreds of tested, “wild” camping parking spots in the most popular travel destinations, so please feel free to use it when renting your RV.

Nissan Caravan camping
Lonely parking spot in Takayama area
Motorhome Kiso Valey
Overnight spot in Magome (Kiso Valley)

✓​ Pros:
  •  basic toilet, but usually clean
  • quiet at night (Japanese travellers choose Michi no Eki or camping grounds for the night)
  • located also near tourist attractions  and scenic spots
✘ Cons:​
  • Basic facilities
  • No rubbish containers
  • No official app or finder

4. Camping grounds

​Auto camping grounds, RV parks and caravan parks are very popular among Japanese camping enthusiasts. Especially during summer season and public holidays it is not that easy to find a space without prior reservation. The accommodation fee depends on facilities (i.e. showers, onsen, rubbish containers, barbecue areas) and usually ranges from 4,000 JPY - 7,000 JPY for a RV and 2 people. There are thousand of camping sites in Japan, but about 70% of them are only for travellers sleeping in a tent. Without a tent you may not be allowed to enter the campsite, so we strongly recommended checking the website or making a phone call to avoid big disappointment.
camping japan nissan caravan
Camping site in Doshi-mura

✓​ Pros:
  • different types of facilities depending on the camping site: AC power source, bbq facilities, camp fire, shower, onsen, rubbish container, running water and places to wash dishes etc.
  • located in a quiet area away from the hustle and bustle of the city
✘ Cons:
  • usually expensive
  • sometimes prior reservation is required
  • no vacancies in the season
  • ​most of them are intended only for travelers with tents
  • usually staff do not speak English

5. Convenience stores

Over 50,000 “konibi” stores, such as 7-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart can easily be found all over Japan. Open 24h a day, 7 days a week, provide a variety of products from fresh meals, snacks, alcoholic beverages to cosmetics, batteries or gas bottles to the camping stove and services such as toilets, free parking, free Wi-Fi, ATMs and rubbish containers. ​
7-eleven-overnight-parking
7-Eleven on the way to Kyoto

How about overnight in a campervan?
It all depends on the convince store. Not every konbini has big enough parking space that can accommodate passing customers, as well as those who want to rest in a campervan. In big cities, it may not be possible to find a store with sufficient parking for overnight. Please note that these places are not officially camping sites, so each time is better to ask the shopkeeper about the possibility of accommodation in a van.

​✓​ Pros:
  • Open 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week
  • Free parking and toilet (shops outside the city center)
  • Fresh breakfast and hot coffee in the morning
  • ATM, Wi-Fi and rubbish containers,
  • Easy to find
  • Convenience
​✘ Cons:
  • Not very attractive locations – located next to busy roads and urban areas
  • It can be loud at the night
  • Overnight is not possible everywhere
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