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
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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.
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Michi no Eki in Okuhida
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2. Highway Service Areas
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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.
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Service Area in Yoshinogawa
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3. Free and wild parking spots with toilets
Free 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.
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.
Lonely parking spot in Takayama area
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Overnight spot in Magome (Kiso Valley)
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4. Camping grounds
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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.
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Camping site in Doshi-mura
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5. Convenience stores
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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.
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7-Eleven on the way to Kyoto
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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.
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.
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