Tokyo: Recreational vehicles are attracting increasing attention in Japan, serving not only as campers but also as evacuation shelters, traveling hotels, and business offices.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Japan Recreational Vehicle Association reports that the number of recreational vehicles in the country reached 165,000 in 2024, nearly tripling from around 50,000 in 2005. The demand surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, as people sought safe spaces to work and spend time without close contact with others. The association anticipates that the total number of RVs will rise to 300,000 by 2030, driven by the rapid growth of RV parks. The number of such parks reached 580 this year, up from 300 in 2023. The association aims to increase this number to 1,000 by 2027.
Around 80 percent of RV users are in their 50s and 60s, but there is a noticeable increase in younger customers. Hiroaki Koga, president of KRC, highlighted at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 that more customers in their 30s to 40s are purchasing RVs. He noted that while RVs were originally intended for camping, they are now popular for overnight stays, with midsize models particularly in demand.
Takahiro Kaneda from FLEX Inc. observed that about 60 percent of their customers are aged 30 to 40. The company focuses on smaller campers that are practical for everyday use, with models based on Toyota's Hiace van being particularly popular. Customers often trade in two vehicles for a single RV to use for both daily and recreational activities.
The mobility show highlighted the appeal of smaller RV models with prices starting around 5 million yen. A visitor from Shizuoka Prefecture expressed interest in a camper for daily use and fishing trips, citing the rising cost of hotels as a factor.
Tokyo Shoko Research Ltd. noted that the average hotel room price among 15 city and no-frills hotel brands rose by 12.6 percent, reaching JPY16,679 by the end of March.
Kristofer Karch, a visitor from the United States, was inspired by the efficient use of space in Japanese campers and plans to use a camper rental service to compare them with U.S. models.
Natsuki Ichikawa from Aichi Prefecture considered using a small vehicle for evacuation during emergencies, especially for her pet, as shelters typically do not accommodate animals.
The JRVA demonstrated RVs' importance in disaster relief, sending 60 campers to the areas affected by the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. These vehicles provided accommodations for over 200 response team members. JRVA Chairman Kenji Araki emphasized the swift deployment of RVs in disaster situations, with their independent power systems proving beneficial during winter conditions.
In June, the Japanese government launched a system called D-TRACE to manage vehicles like RVs for disaster response, covering up to 90 percent of local governments' operational costs.
The Tokyo Future Tour 2035 section of the exhibition presented innovative RV concepts like Carstay Inc.'s "moonn. T-01," an electric camper with solar panels, and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corp.'s NOMADpro Canter, featuring a versatile interior for future use.
Takenaka Corp., Croco Art Factory, and Off-grid Field showcased the Roomette 1500 trailer, a mobile house convertible into an office, and the "mokujiku" timber-frame trailer, which served as a convenience store at the 2025 World Exposition construction site in Osaka.
