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What's the Average Cost of Renting a Campervan? A Complete Breakdown by Season and Vehicle Type

Oct 16, 2025
What's the Average Cost of Renting a Campervan? A Complete Breakdown by Season and Vehicle Type

Campervan rental rates vary greatly depending on the "vehicle type" and "season".
Especially during peak periods like Golden Week and Obon, rates can be nearly double those of weekdays, which can significantly impact your travel budget planning.

In this article, we surveyed 10 major companies in the greater Tokyo and Kansai areas and explain the going rate for the 24-hour base fee.
We'll also cover easily overlooked rules about rental duration and additional fees in detail.

Rates vary greatly by "Vehicle Type × Season"

Campervan rental rates generally fall into different price ranges based on the following 3 vehicle types.

  • Light Camper (based on a kei car) … Affordable and ideal for trips with 1-2 people

  • Van Conversion (e.g. Hiace) … Mid-price range, with a wide variety of equipment

  • Cab Conversion (e.g. Camroad) … High-price range, suited for family trips or long-term travel

Additionally, rates change depending on the season, such as:

  • Regular (weekdays)

  • Weekends

  • High season (e.g. summer vacation)

  • Special periods (Golden Week, Obon, New Year's holidays)

Nationwide Average Rates (Based on 10 Companies / Per 24 Hours)

Vehicle ClassWeekday (Regular Season)WeekendHigh SeasonSpecial Period (GW, Obon, New Year)
Light Camper¥5,000〜¥12,000¥7,000〜¥15,000¥8,000〜¥18,000Up to around ¥20,000
Van Conversion (Hiace, etc.)¥10,000〜¥22,000¥14,000〜¥26,000¥15,000〜¥30,000¥20,000〜¥35,000
Cab Conversion (Camroad, etc.)¥20,000〜¥29,000¥23,000〜¥34,000¥25,000〜¥40,000¥30,000〜¥57,000

Key Points

  • Cab conversion rates can spike significantly during special periods

  • Light campers and van conversions remain relatively stable

  • Seasonal differences are the main driver of price changes, more so than regional differences

Kanto Area (5 Companies in the Greater Tokyo Area)

Vehicle ClassWeekdayWeekendHigh SeasonSpecial Period
Light Camper¥5,000〜¥11,000¥7,000〜¥14,000¥8,000〜¥17,000Up to ¥19,000
Van Conversion (Hiace, etc.)¥10,000〜¥21,000¥14,000〜¥25,000¥15,000〜¥29,000¥20,000〜¥33,000
Cab Conversion (Camroad, etc.)¥20,000〜¥30,000¥23,000〜¥35,000¥25,000〜¥42,000¥30,000〜¥57,000

Kansai Area (5 Companies in Kansai)

Vehicle ClassWeekdayWeekendHigh SeasonSpecial Period
Light Camper¥5,000〜¥12,000¥7,000〜¥15,000¥8,000〜¥18,000Up to ¥20,000
Van Conversion (Hiace, etc.)¥10,000〜¥22,000¥14,000〜¥26,000¥15,000〜¥30,000¥20,000〜¥35,000
Cab Conversion (Camroad, etc.)¥20,000〜¥28,000¥23,000〜¥33,000¥25,000〜¥38,000¥30,000〜¥50,000

Key Points

  • There is no major price difference between the Greater Tokyo Area and Kansai

  • Upper limits during special periods tend to be higher in the Greater Tokyo Area

  • Kansai has many mid-price-range shops, resulting in a more stable price distribution

The "Daily Rate" is Not Always Equal to a "24-Hour Rate"

Campervan rate tables often list a rate as "¥◯ per day," but
it's important to note that this doesn't always mean you can use the vehicle for a full 24 hours.

Depending on the rental shop, some fee structures work as follows:

  • "Daily rate" = "one day's worth within business hours"

  • If the rental spans overnight, an additional "next day's rate" is automatically added

  • Even if you don't exceed 24 hours, returning the vehicle the next day may result in a charge for 2 days

Some shops adopt fee structures like the ones above.

For example, consider the following cases:

  • If you rent at 10am and return at 10am the next day → charged as "1 day's rate" or "2 days' worth"

  • If you rent at 10am and return at 2pm the next day → charged as "1 day + additional fee" or "2 days' worth"

One shop sets its minimum rental duration at 27 hours, meaning that even a same-day return can result in a "1 day + additional fee" charge.

In other words, the "daily rate" is sometimes based on "per-day" units rather than a strict 24-hour cycle, so it's very important to confirm in advance exactly "how many hours are included in the daily rate."

*Of course, some shops do calculate rates based on a strict 24-hour cycle.

Common Additional Fees and Optional Charges

Campervan rental fees are not always limited to the "base rate."
There are two types of additional costs: optional fees incurred at pickup, and settlement charges that may arise upon return.

Additional Fees at Pickup (Confirmed at Time of Booking)

ItemDetailsExample
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)A protection plan that reduces or waives the customer's liability in case of an accident¥2,750/day
Optional RentalsChairs, sleeping bags, portable power supplies, child seats, etc.Chair: ¥330/day, Portable power supply: ¥1,650/day
Early Morning / Late Night PickupService for pickups outside of regular business hoursPrevious evening pickup / ¥9,800

Additional costs at pickup are usually clearly stated on the booking page or rate sheet, allowing users to know the amount in advance.
In particular, be sure to check the protection plan, as it can significantly affect the total cost depending on whether you opt in or not.

Possible Additional Charges Upon Return

ItemDetailsExample
Non-Operation Charge (NOC)A compensation fee for the shop's lost business opportunity if the vehicle becomes unusable due to an accident, breakdown, or damage¥200,000
Excess Mileage FeeCharged when the mileage limit is exceeded¥88 per km over 300km
Extension FeeCharged if the vehicle is returned later than schedulede.g. ¥2,750 for an unreported 30-minute delay

Additional charges upon return are variable costs that depend on how the vehicle was used.
Since mileage limits or late returns can result in unexpected charges, it's important to plan your schedule and driving route with some margin.

Rental Shops Surveyed for This Article

*The rates listed on this page are based on research conducted in October 2025. Please check each shop's official website for the latest rates.

Kanto Area

Kansai Area

Summary

  • Campervan rental rates vary significantly based on "Vehicle Type × Season"

  • Many rates are set on a "per-day" basis, and don't necessarily allow a full 24 hours of use

  • Some shops automatically charge "2 days' worth" if the rental period spans overnight

  • Additional fees fall into two categories: those confirmed at pickup and those settled upon return

  • When planning your trip, it's a good rule of thumb to estimate the total cost as base rate + optional fees + seasonal rate

  • Carefully checking the shop's rate page and terms before booking can help you avoid unexpected expenses

The busiest, priciest periods (Golden Week, Obon) also tend to see a rush of bookings.
If you're considering renting a campervan, start planning early and head out on your campervan trip this year!

✳ Machine-translated from the original Japanese
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