The van was well equipped but tiny - just under 5 metres long. There was a fridge, a two-ring gas cooker, a box full of pans and crockery, and the kettle probably completes what is called the kitchen. There were bunk beds and two seats and a mini table which could be used to form a double bed.
We took the option of two picnic chairs and a table so that in better weather we could enjoy some outdoor living. We had sleeping bags and decent pillows but we brought two blow-up pillows too. In practice we only used the picnic table and chairs a couple of times and with the benefit of hindsight we should have not bothered as it would have left more room in the van.
There was no bathroom in the vehicle but as we were parked at the roadside stations that was not really a problem as there were always clean toilets there but so far as night micturation is concerned we had made other arrangements so we didn't have to get out at night. Check out "Bog in a Bag" - great for music festivals and camping.
We took the option of two picnic chairs and a table so that in better weather we could enjoy some outdoor living. We had sleeping bags and decent pillows but we brought two blow-up pillows too. In practice we only used the picnic table and chairs a couple of times and with the benefit of hindsight we should have not bothered as it would have left more room in the van.
There was no bathroom in the vehicle but as we were parked at the roadside stations that was not really a problem as there were always clean toilets there but so far as night micturation is concerned we had made other arrangements so we didn't have to get out at night. Check out "Bog in a Bag" - great for music festivals and camping.
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The vehicle was a Nissan Caravan, automatic with optional four wheel drive. It came with onboard wifi and an iPad mini which meant that we could use Google maps for navigation. JapanCampers had added some useful apps too so we could locate the nearest Michi no Eki (overnight stop) or onsen. They had also installed Viber so we could contact them at any time.
We've rented in New Zealand and in Argentina where the vans were found wanting at times but though this van was small some thought had been put into the equipment it carried.
Many roads in Japan are toll roads and the vehicle came equipped with an ETC card (electric toll card) which meant that we could sail through the toll booths. We had left a deposit with Maciek of JapanCampers when we picked up the van and settled our toll card use at the end of the trip. We spent about £200 on toll charges but it did mean we could get about easily.
Fuel was about £1 a litre and we found that sometimes our credit card would work in the petrol stations and others it wouldn't, no logic to it. Often the petrol stations were manned and it was easy to fill the van up and pay. Once or twice we arrived at automated pumps and in both cases had to get help in pressing the right buttons, getting fuel and recovering our card.
JapanCampers were a great outfit to hire from, they were very helpful and flexible too. We wish them every success in the future. If you want to know more then go to their website https://www.japancampers.com
Click on one of these links to go to another page:
Japan Introduction
Overnight stops
Food
Tokyo
Izu Peninsula
Central Honshū
Western Honshū
Kyoto
Shrines & temples
We've rented in New Zealand and in Argentina where the vans were found wanting at times but though this van was small some thought had been put into the equipment it carried.
Many roads in Japan are toll roads and the vehicle came equipped with an ETC card (electric toll card) which meant that we could sail through the toll booths. We had left a deposit with Maciek of JapanCampers when we picked up the van and settled our toll card use at the end of the trip. We spent about £200 on toll charges but it did mean we could get about easily.
Fuel was about £1 a litre and we found that sometimes our credit card would work in the petrol stations and others it wouldn't, no logic to it. Often the petrol stations were manned and it was easy to fill the van up and pay. Once or twice we arrived at automated pumps and in both cases had to get help in pressing the right buttons, getting fuel and recovering our card.
JapanCampers were a great outfit to hire from, they were very helpful and flexible too. We wish them every success in the future. If you want to know more then go to their website https://www.japancampers.com
Click on one of these links to go to another page:
Japan Introduction
Overnight stops
Food
Tokyo
Izu Peninsula
Central Honshū
Western Honshū
Kyoto
Shrines & temples
