"Let's rent a campervan!"
Now that you've made up your mind, what type of campervan comes to mind?
If it's your first time renting a campervan, we recommend one of the following two types.
A Cab Conversion (Cab-Con) keeps the truck's original cab (driver's seat) while converting what would normally be the truck bed into a living space — making it more like a "house on wheels."
With high ceilings, a permanent bed, a dining table (dinette), and large storage areas, this type offers a spacious feel that hardly seems like the inside of a vehicle.
It can comfortably sleep 4-5 adults with legs fully stretched out, or up to about 6 people if you include children of elementary school age or younger.
However, since it's based on a truck, the driving feel differs from a regular car, and its size — reaching up to 3 meters in height — means extra caution is needed while driving.
A slightly smaller version of the Cab-Con is called the Light Cab-Con.
It combines the comfortable interior space of a Cab-Con with easier handling, making it perfect for those who want to try a campervan but feel unsure about driving one.
The vehicle size is approximately 4,700 x 1,980mm, making it more compact than a Land Cruiser.
That said, the interior space is reduced accordingly, so it comfortably accommodates fewer people.
Also, note that the height is around 2.7m, so caution is still needed.
A Van Conversion (Van-Con) is a one-box vehicle such as a Hiace with a custom interior fit-out, making it closer to a "regular car."
Since it looks like a standard one-box vehicle from the outside, it's easy to drive and park, making it ideal for navigating parking lots at tourist spots or driving in urban areas.
On the other hand, the interior living space is inevitably more compact, so it accommodates fewer people for sleeping and living space overall.
It's recommended for those who want to enjoy van life with a small group.
There are also other types, such as the compact and appealing Kei-Camper (a converted kei car), the large Bus Conversion (a converted bus), and towable Camping Trailers — but for a first-time campervan rental, a Cab-Con or Van-Con is the most common choice.
Which is closer to your ideal campervan — a Cab-Con or a Van-Con?
Once you've narrowed down the type, next check the vehicle's features.
Even within the category of "campervan," the equipment available inside and outside varies, so choose a vehicle that matches your travel plans.
With Japanese summers getting more intense each year, air conditioning is essential for a comfortable trip.
The air conditioner in the driver's seat area can generally only be used while driving, so you'll need air conditioning that works while parked or sleeping too.
Recently, more vehicles are equipped with standard household-style air conditioners to cool the spacious interior.
Since these household air conditioners run on a dedicated battery, they can only be used within the battery's remaining capacity.
If you run the air conditioner heavily during the hot summer months, the battery may run out in the middle of the night, so it's best to pair this with accommodations that offer external power sources (such as campgrounds or RV parks).
This is a heating device that uses the vehicle's fuel to powerfully warm the interior.
Since campervan bodies are insulated, using an FF heater can keep the interior warm enough to wear short sleeves even in winter.
Having one is reassuring, but in many cases it may be unusable, require an additional option fee, or require you to handle the cleanup yourself.
Many travelers feel hesitant about using a toilet in an unfamiliar vehicle and end up managing fine with service areas or roadside stations, so unless you have a specific need for one, it's not essential.
Beds are built in, but in most cases, bedding such as sheets and futons are not provided.
You'll need to bring your own sleeping bag or futon, so whether bedding is included makes a big difference in the amount of luggage and preparation required.
It's a subtle but important point.
One of the appeals of a campervan is traveling together with your pet.
However, some rental vehicles allow pets and others don't, so be sure to check in advance.
If you bring a pet into a pet-prohibited vehicle without permission, you may be charged a hefty fee for restoring the vehicle to its original condition.
Also, even for pet-friendly vehicles, be sure to check the rules regarding damage or stains beforehand.
Most traditional Cab-Cons and Van-Cons can be driven with a regular driver's license.
However, some newer Cab-Cons (such as 4WD diesel models) require a semi-medium license (準中型免許).
This license category was established following the 2017 revision of the Road Traffic Act, and those who obtained their regular license after this revision are not eligible to drive such vehicles.
Without the proper license, you may not be able to rent the vehicle on the day, so be sure to check this thoroughly before booking.
Van-Con or Cab-Con
While children are still young, a Van-Con can still offer a plenty comfortable trip.
Cab-Con or Light Cab-Con
With this many people, a Van-Con starts to feel cramped.
Since luggage tends to increase on a first campervan trip, ample storage capacity is also important.
Van-Con, Cab-Con, or Kei-Camper
If mobility is your top priority, the Kei-Camper is by far the best choice, but if you prioritize comfort inside the vehicle, a Van-Con or Cab-Con is recommended.
Cab-Con
If 4 adults want to sleep with their legs fully stretched out, a truck-based Cab-Con is recommended.
A Light Cab-Con might feel cramped in this case.
Whether to choose a Cab-Con or Van-Con, and how many people are traveling, are important factors — but the season and purpose of your trip matter too.
In summer, a vehicle equipped with a household-style air conditioner is best.
If your destination is a tourist area or city, a compact vehicle is reassuring in terms of parking space.
If you're heading somewhere with spacious parking and wide roads, like a campground, a larger vehicle is recommended so you can fully enjoy the relaxing charm of campervan life.
Considering the vehicle type, number of travelers, season, and destination, find the perfect vehicle that matches your own travel style.
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