The Vanabond Tales · video

What this video covers

Eddie and Kelly rent a large RV from Tokyo RV Campers for a seven-day van trip across Japan with their infant Nora, picking up the vehicle at the company's depot west of Tokyo and returning it after a loop through Mount Fuji, Kusatsu Onsen, Nikko, Lake Chuzenji, and the Chichibu area. Japan has no long-term live-in van culture, but road-trip camping is well established and the country's infrastructure supports it.4:30 The Michi-no-Eki roadside station network provides free overnight parking, clean toilets, vending machines, and sometimes showers nationwide; the Mitchi app lists all stations plus private campgrounds.32:26 Private auto camps run $20–$100 per night depending on season and offer electricity, water, and trash facilities, but no black-water dump stations — which is why the rental van's original shower and toilet were removed. Onsen towns like Kusatsu and Shima fill the bathing gap; a public bathhouse in Kusatsu costs about ¥4,600 including a towel. Winter mountain driving demands snow tires; the crew encounters ice and slush on mountain roads near Kusatsu. Recommended apps include Google Maps (offline), Google Translate, the Mitchi app, Japan Wi-Fi Auto Connect, and Line. SIM options include the Modal and Secure SIM cards, available as eSIMs in advance or physical cards delivered to an arrival airport. The van's 200 Ah battery runs lights and a fridge; heating runs on petrol at roughly one liter per night.

More from The Vanabond Tales

Buying a Boat in the MediterraneanJun 2026Coming Back to AmsterdamMay 2026We Left Bangkok for This Underrated Thai Town (No Tourists)Apr 2026The Truth About Bangkok with KidsMar 2026

From The Vanabond Tales — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.