Choosing Where to Overnight in a Campervan in Japan: Roadside Stations, Campsites, or RV Parks?

Campervan travel is an increasingly popular way to tour, letting you freely explore beautiful scenery, enjoy close contact with nature, and experience a different lifestyle.

But campervans also pose a problem for many self-drive travelers: where can a large campervan park for the night?

When traveling by campervan in Japan, there are mainly three options for overnighting: Michi-no-Eki (roadside stations), campsite parking spaces, and RV Parks (overnight parking spots).

Each of these three options has its pros and cons, and you can choose the one that suits you best based on your needs and preferences.

Below we introduce the features and considerations of these three options, and recommend the best choice: RV Parks (overnight parking spots).

Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Stations)

Michi-no-Eki (roadside stations) are highway rest stops established by the Japanese government to promote local development and tourism exchange, similar to our national highway rest areas.

They are distributed across the country and provide basic facilities and services such as restrooms, water dispensers, information centers, souvenir shops, and farmers’ markets.

The advantage of Michi-no-Eki is that they are free, so you can find a place to park overnight anytime and anywhere without worrying about reservations or fees.

However, Michi-no-Eki also have some drawbacks, and you need to pay attention to the following points:

• Michi-no-Eki are public places. You cannot set up tables and chairs outside, nor dispose of garbage at will. You need to keep the environment clean and quiet, and respect the rights and obligations of other users.
• Michi-no-Eki are highway rest stops, so you may be disturbed all night by the sound of passing cars. You need to prepare earplugs or other soundproofing measures to ensure your sleep quality.
• Michi-no-Eki are a limited resource, so you may not find a parking spot during peak season or at popular locations. You need to plan your route and timing in advance to avoid being unable to find a place to stay at night.

Campsite Parking Spaces

Campsite parking spaces are paid overnight parking spots specifically for campervans. They are usually located in scenic areas such as national parks, lakesides, and seasides, and provide relatively complete facilities and services such as power, water, bathrooms, laundry, and garbage disposal.

The advantage of campsite parking spaces is that you can set up tables and chairs outside, enjoy the natural atmosphere and beautiful scenery, and interact with other campers, adding fun to your trip.

However, campsite parking spaces also have some drawbacks, and you need to pay attention to the following points:

• Campsite parking spaces are paid, and you need to pay different fees depending on the campsite and season, usually between 1,000 and 5,000 yen per night. You need to budget your expenses to avoid overspending.
• Campsite parking spaces require reservations. You need to book the campsite where you will park overnight in advance online or by phone, and follow the campsite’s rules and times, such as check-in and check-out times, parking location, and equipment use. You need to cooperate with the campsite management to avoid trouble.
• Campsite parking spaces do not always have charging. You need to confirm whether power outlets are provided and whether an extra fee is required depending on the campsite. You need to prepare your power cord and adapter to avoid being unable to charge your campervan.

RV Parks (Overnight Parking Spots)

RV Parks (overnight parking spots) are paid overnight parking spots specifically designed for campervans and similar overnight stays. They are usually located in convenient places such as commercial districts, sightseeing areas, and hot spring areas, and provide simple yet practical facilities and services, including power, water, restrooms, bathrooms, laundry, and garbage disposal.

The advantage of RV Parks (overnight parking spots) is that you can set up tables and chairs outside, enjoy a free and casual atmosphere, and conveniently use nearby shops and facilities such as supermarkets, restaurants, convenience stores, and hot springs.

However, RV Parks (overnight parking spots) also have some considerations, and you need to pay attention to the following points:

• The site is paid, and you need to pay different fees depending on the RV Park and season, usually between 500 and 2,000 yen per night. You need to budget your expenses to avoid overspending.
• Many of these sites do not require reservations, so you can find a place to park overnight anytime and anywhere without worrying about reservations or fees. However, you also need to follow the site’s rules and times, such as check-in and check-out times, parking location, and equipment use, and cooperate with the management’s instructions to avoid trouble.
• The site definitely has charging, so you can safely use power outlets to fully charge your campervan without worrying about insufficient power. You just need to prepare your power cord and adapter to easily charge your campervan.

Results and Discussion

From the above information, it can be seen that for a campervan self-drive trip in Japan, there are three options for overnighting: Michi-no-Eki (roadside stations), campsite parking spaces, and RV Parks (overnight parking spots).

Each of these three options has its pros and cons, and you can choose the one that suits you best based on your needs and preferences. However, if you want to enjoy the most convenient, free, and comfortable campervan overnight experience, we highly recommend choosing RV Parks (overnight parking spots).