Demand for used-car-based camper vans and renovations is also on the rise. In the camper van industry, which is directly affected by the shortage of base vehicles, an increasing number of companies are launching new initiatives. Companies that previously manufactured and sold only new camper vans are now actively adopting new approaches, such as converting used vehicles—which they have inspected and restored to good condition in-house—into camper vans, or refurbishing camper vans that customers already own. Although this trend was triggered by the shortage of base vehicles, the fact that such demand exists has become clear in this situation; as a result, used-car-based models and refurbishments may become the standard in the camper van industry going forward.
Demand for minivan-based camper vans is on the rise. While there have always been a certain number of camper vans based on Japanese minivans on display, I got the impression that their numbers have increased slightly this time around. To begin with, the term “camping car” is widely used in Japan, whereas overseas it is referred to as “RV,” “motorhome,” or “campervan,” depending on the region and vehicle type. People own camping cars to bring a home-like environment with them on their travels, so the focus is on spending time comfortably inside the vehicle even after arriving at their destination. In contrast, in Japan, there are many users who enjoy a lifestyle that blends sleeping in the vehicle with outdoor camping. With this approach, cooking inside the vehicle is almost unnecessary, so the lack of amenities like a sink or stove is rarely seen as an inconvenience. Simply adding a bed, cabinets, an air conditioner, and a auxiliary battery is enough to create a sufficiently comfortable environment for this style of travel. Furthermore, the latest minivans are equipped with a wide range of preventive safety and driver-assistance features, and because they offer a smooth ride and high levels of quietness, users who switch from passenger cars rarely feel a significant difference. Furthermore, since the supply of minivan base vehicles is stable, delivery times after placing an order aren’t particularly long. Against this backdrop, it seems that more users than ever before are eagerly checking out minivan-based camper vans.
First Kei Camper and Second Kei Camper: One of the main attractions of kei campers, which are growing in popularity, is that they are less expensive than camping cars based on standard registered vehicles. That said, models equipped with features such as air conditioning, a microwave, a charging system for while driving, and a auxiliary battery can cost over 5 million yen, even for a kei car. While you can’t exactly call this price “cheap” in absolute terms, compared to standard registered motorhomes, this price range is still something first-time buyers might find acceptable. Incidentally, when it comes to that first camper van, many people tend to buy it fully loaded with options, so “a first camper van starts at 5 million yen” seems to have become the norm. However, as I walked around the venue this time, I noticed several kei camper vans on display that were promoting their low prices. When I asked about them, an interesting trend emerged. The demographic considering these low-priced kei camper vans tends to be younger. On the other hand, a recent trend shows that some users who previously owned well-equipped camper vans are now switching to simpler kei camper vans. This is because once people establish their own style of car camping—including their preferred destinations and how they spend their time there—they gain a clear understanding of which features are necessary and which are unnecessary. For example, if you’re traveling primarily to RV parks, your lodging may have an external power source or convenient appliances like a microwave. In that case, you won’t feel inconvenienced even if your vehicle lacks those features. Furthermore, for those who travel solo frequently, large vehicles like the HiAce can feel unwieldy due to their size, and since they aren’t very fuel-efficient, this can become a burden. That’s why, when it’s time to upgrade, people look for a simple camper van. The candidates tend to be basic vehicles without typical camper van features like sinks, air conditioning, or microwaves. Furthermore, if you don’t need electrical equipment like air conditioning, you won’t need a auxiliary battery or a charging system while driving, so you can ultimately eliminate these expensive optional features. When you consider the equipment this way, only the basics remain—such as a bed kit, curtains, ceiling lights, and insulation—and as a result, the vehicle price ends up being around 3 million yen. Even if, after actually driving it, you decide you do want air conditioning, high-performance portable air conditioners are now available for under 100,000 yen and can be powered using an RV park’s electrical outlet. Even without a power source, you can often manage by bringing a high-capacity portable power station. As a result, more and more people are reportedly choosing kei campers as “custom-sized” and “custom-spec” vehicles for overnight camping. These are the vehicles that caught my eye at the Tokyo Camper Van Show 2026. To reiterate, the camper van industry continues to face challenges as the main models—the HiAce and Caravan—remain hard to come by. However, even amid these challenges, I got the sense that options have actually expanded—whether through the development of new base vehicles, the availability of simple, affordable models alongside luxury high-end ones, the use of used cars as bases, or the adoption of passenger minivans as bases. These trends aren’t just stopgap measures; they’ve been carefully tailored to suit the Japanese market. As a result, I have a feeling that we’ll see an increase in camper vans and vehicles equipped for car camping that cater to a wide variety of travel styles in the future.
© Source travel watch