Setting off on a Japan campervan roadtrip was one of the best things we did in our recent 1-month trip to Japan. Having the freedom to build our own route and escape the bustling cities like Tokyo and Osaka allowed us to experience Japan’s off-the-beaten-path cultural highlights and incredible natural beauty.
Hiking ancient samurai highways, exploring the Japanese Alps, waking up to watch the sunrise over Mt Fuji… the list of highlights goes on.
Why Choose a Campervan in Japan?
Taking a campervan across Japan comes with some awesome perks. You get total freedom and flexibility. No set schedules, just the ability to make spontaneous stops and stay longer in spots you absolutely love. Plus, it’s pretty cost-effective, saving you money on both accommodation and transport.
Japan has a great network of free overnight parking spots (more on this below), as well as campsites and convenience stores everywhere, making it the easiest place we have ever hired a campervan!
Another bonus is that you can reach more remote, lesser-known spots that public transport just doesn’t go to. Japan can be VERY busy, so having the opportunity to see famous views before the day trippers arrive and after they leave, as well as seeing parts of the country that fewer other tourists visit is a massive plus.
Planning Your Campervan Trip
Choosing the right campervan is super important. Depending on your group size or level of comfort required, you’ll find that many companies have plenty of options available – although you might want a smaller van for easier driving on Japan’s narrow roads. Take some time to do your research on the rental companies on offer for your trip dates to find the right van for you.
Make sure you have an International Driving Permit (IDP) – it’s valid in Japan for up to a year and REQUIRED for driving on Japanese roads. Check with your rental company for any extra requirements. For route planning, keep things flexible and use apps like Google Maps for navigation and traffic updates.
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In this itinerary, we guide you to stay in free car parks and michi-no-eki (roadside stations) to keep costs low. All our recommended spots have free toilets that are open late (many are 24/7) and most have shops nearby where you can buy food. However, these shops often close by 5pm or earlier, so planning ahead is essential to avoid finding yourself without food. While convenience stores are usually nearby, in some remote areas, you might have to drive up to 30 minutes to find one. Therefore, we strongly suggest stocking your van with a few backup food options, like pots of ramen, just in case. Always plan ahead to ensure you have enough food and water.
1-Week Japan Campervan Itinerary
Now’s the most exciting bit – where should you go on your Japanese camping adventure? What is there to see? How much driving is too much? These could all be make-or-break questions for your side quest (unless you’re truly able to embrace the unknown and set off without much of a plan – something we’re simply not able to do!).
We’ve outlined the exact route we used from our recent trip to Japan which we absolutely loved. Each day involved around 2-3 hours of driving total – except day 6, explained below – which felt like an easily manageable amount for one person to drive, and even easier if sharing the driving responsibilities.
Check out a summary map below of the route, or scroll straight down to jump into day 1 with all our tips and recommendations – enjoy!
Day 1: Tokyo to Hakone
(Total driving: 1-3 hours, depending on start point)
Kick off your adventure by picking up the campervan in Tokyo and driving to Hakone. The drive will take a few hours, depending where you pick your van up from.
Once you’re in Hakone, spend the afternoon exploring the quaint town’s shops and waterfront. This place is famous for its hot springs, beautiful scenery, and views of Mt. Fuji.
Take a stroll through the cedar-lined Tōkaidō (東海道) Road and Hakone Checkpoint (箱根関所), part of an ancient highway linking Kyoto and Tokyo where Hakone was an important checkpoint. If you have time, explore the Hakone Open-Air Museum or chill out in an onsen.
Where should I park/sleep?
We stayed in the free P12 car park, shown on the map below:
Toilets are open until late & free.
Day 2: Hakone to Lake Kawaguchi
(Total driving: ~1.5 hours, 61km)
Set your alarm early and catch the sunrise over Lake Ashi, with that iconic torii gate view. We took some fold-down deck chairs (provided by our campervan company) with us which we set up on the lakefront, made ourselves some hot coffee and wrapped ourselves in blankets for this. A special moment with only a few others around!
The early morning is the perfect time to head around to see the torii gate and associated shrine, since the crowds really start picking up from 8am for the perfect Instagram shot.
Then drive towards Lake Kawaguchi (河口湖), part of the Fuji Five Lakes region. You can stop by Fujiyoshida (富士吉田市), which is very popular with those looking for the perfect shot of Mt. Fuji framed in the background, although we didn’t really get much out of it (we stopped for only 5 minutes then moved on).
Park up at Kawaguchi (河口) on the north-east side of Lake Kawaguchi and rent a bicycle or walk on the path that runs along the lakeshore. This small town has a strangely European feeling to it! Explore the area (maybe pop into the Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum), grab a bite to eat, then head to Oishi Park (大石公園). Parking here is free, so use the main car park (it’s best to go to the end where there aren’t many other cars, away from the entrance, as you’ll be sleeping here tonight – more on that below).
Oishi Park has beautiful lavender fields and flower gardens that, combined with Mt. Fuji in the background, make the most stunning photo for your memory book! Go for a wander, get an ice cream and buy yourself some awesome Fuji-inspired souvenirs from the shop.
The crowds here are BIG during the day, but guess what? Most people head home at sun-down, meaning you’ll practically have the place to yourself once the crowds clear! Another perk of campervanning!
Where should I park/sleep?
As mentioned above, the Oishi Park parking lot is free and you can stay here overnight. Park with your preferred window (back or side) pointed at Mt. Fuji – you’ll see why on Day 3.
Check out the car park on the map below:
Toilets are open until late & free.
Day 3: Lake Kawaguchi
(Total driving: ~2.25 hours, 102km)
Enjoy another sunrise wake up here – the most special one of the whole trip. Set your alarm for just before the scheduled sunrise time and watch as the sun slowly paints Mt. Fuji with beautiful pastel pinks and oranges – the stunning sunrise view of Mt. Fuji is not something you’ll forget soon!
Drive over to the famous Chureito Pagoda (新倉山浅間公園 忠霊塔) as the sun is still rising for some more incredible views of Mt. Fuji. The 400 steps up to the top are worth it for the iconic view past the pagoda. This viewpoint is best around cherry blossom season, but it’s beautiful all year round.
Next up, head to Shiraishi Glass Studio (you need to book in advance!!) for a unique glass-blowing workshop where you’ll get to make your own glass Mt. Fuji souvenirs, all by yourself! Although it’s a little out of the way, it’s well worth it for this amazing experience run by the nicest local glass-blowing expert. You won’t regret it. The glass needs a few days to cool, but you can get your souvenirs shipped to any hotel in Japan for you to pick up later in your trip.
Spend your day exploring the other Fuji Five Lakes as you head west, stopping at the various panoramic view points and trying some of the watersports on offer – whatever takes your fancy! If you have the time or appetite for it, make a stop at the wide Shiraito Falls (白糸の滝) waterfall in the scenic, lush surrounds of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
Where should I park/sleep?
You’ll stop overnight at your first michi-no-ekii: Road Station Asagiri Kogen (道の駅 朝霧高原). Be aware, the shop closes at 5pm and there aren’t many other food options around past this point – make sure you have dinner plans sorted!
There’s a load of attractions right next door, such as a sake brewery, winery and a tea shop. Park at the back car park for the best views, marked on the map below:
Toilets are open 24/7 and free.
Day 4: Magome-juku and Nakasendo Trail
(Total driving: ~3 hours, 227km)
Today you’ll be hiking a well maintained section of the former Nakasendo, the ancient highway that ran along the Kiso Valley and connected Kyoto with Tokyo during the Edo Period.
The trail runs between Magome-juku (馬籠宿) and Tsumago-juku (妻籠宿), two of the best preserved ‘post towns’ built to accommodate and cater to travellers making the long journey between the major cities. It’s a well marked route in both English and Japanese, and leads from one town to the other through the dense forest and countryside.
Walking from Magome to Tsumago involves slightly fewer uphill sections than walking the opposite direction, so it’s up to you which direction to take. Whichever you decide, there is a regular bus taking passengers between the towns, meaning you can park at Magome, walk to Tsumago then take the bus back to Magome; or vise versa. We did the latter as we wanted to end at Magome.
The trail is about 8 kilometres long and will take around 2-3 hours to complete at a gentle pace, excluding time to explore both towns. In light of this, we’d recommend travelling in the morning to park at Magome (there’s lots of free car parks here, just keep looking to find one that has space). Hop on the bus to Tsumago-juku and explore the charming and historic town before setting off on your hike. Make sure to stop for tea and a break at Tateba Tea House, around half way along the trail.
Be aware of bears! It’s recommended to wear a bear-bell to discourage any curious wildlife to come close, and to travel in groups. Head to the Magome Tourist Information centre where you will be able to borrow or rent one. There are also large permanent bear-bells at multiple intervals along the trail, which you should ring whenever you pass.
Once you reach the end of the trail (woohoo!), spend some time exploring the town and grab a bite to eat and a drink at a quaint cafe of your choosing.
Restaurant choices are limited in Magome, so plan ahead to either eat in your campervan or eat early, before the restaurants close – some close as early as 4pm or sell out of food fast in this remote location!
We actually came across a restaurant called Haginoya whilst we were walking back through Magome in the dark, which was delicious. When you enter the old Japanese house, you’re provided with a set menu dining experience where you eat in private rooms per group. Each dish was carefully curated, explained to you prior to eating and used lots of local ingredients. We were lucky enough to walk in without a reservation, but we would recommend booking in advance.
Where should I park/sleep?
Park at Lot B5, which had a great view over the rolling hills of the Kiso Mountains:
Toilets are open 24/7 and free – just walk down the hill from the car park for 50 metres and it’s on your right, before you reach the road.
Day 5: Kamikochi via Narai-juku
(Total driving: ~2.75 hours, 124km)
Next up is Kamikōchi (上高地), a popular mountain resort in the Northern Japan Alps and part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park (open from April 17 until November 15). Offering some of Japan’s most spectacular mountain scenery, it’s a 15 kilometre long plateau along the Azusa River surrounded by mountains (and an active volcano) on all sides.
Instead of heading straight to Kamikōchi, why not make a small detour to check out Narai-juku (奈良井)? The preserved post town retains much of its original Edo Period architecture and atmosphere, and once marked the halfway point on the Nakasendo trail between Tokyo and Kyoto. Once you’ve had your fill of the idyllic town, you can continue your journey towards Kamikōchi.
Aim for Sawando Parking Area on Google Maps – since private cars or motorcycles are banned from entering Kamikochi, you have to either take the bus or a taxi into the mountainous area. The bus is the cheapest option, and takes only 20-30 mins from the parking area. Park up and buy your round-trip bus ticket, then familiarise yourself with the last bus time back to the car park – you don’t want to get stuck with no taxis left to get you out of the park!
To get the most out of your visit, we’d recommend hiking the trails along the Azusa River from Taisho Pond to Myojin Bridge. It’s another gentle hike across mostly flat terrain and requires no hiking experience and only a few hours of time. Get off the bus at Taishoike Bus Stop (next to Taisho Pond) to start your hike.
If you’re the adventurous and active type, set aside some more time to climb the surrounding peaks, which are more challenging and recommended only between mid June and mid September.
Once again, be bear aware and take the necessary precautions! Although encounters with visitors are rare, bears are spotted regularly by park officials and details around the sightings are displayed on boards in the visitor centres.
Where should I park/sleep?
Rest your head at Roadside Station Fuketsu-no-sato, which is in the direction of tomorrow’s stops:
Toilets are open 24/7 and free.
Day 6: Ueda to Nikko via the Romantic Road
(Total driving: ~7.5 hours, 301km)
Until now you’ve been mostly travelling further and further away from Tokyo, where you will likely need to return your van. Today, you’ll be making a big dent into that return journey by driving over 7 hours and 300 kilometres in total. This is a lot, and definitely shouldn’t be attempted in one go…
Fortunately for you, we’ve put together a list of exactly what we stopped to do and see along the way to break up the journey into manageable chunks, from relaxing onsen towns to historic castles. You’ll end up having an awesome day despite the hours spent on the road, just like we did!
Matsumoto Castle (松本城)
One of the most complete and beautiful among Japan’s original castles, it’s unique for having both a secondary donjon and a turret adjoined to its main keep.
(Optional) Ueda Castle Ruins (上田城跡)
Known for hundreds of years as the castle that defeated the Tokugawa army twice, the castle ruins and its park are filled with history and scenic views.
Unno-juku (海野宿跡)
The quiet and peaceful streets of post town Unno-juku include buildings in the style of Edo period inns and thatched roofed buildings, reminiscent of the town’s history.
(Optional) Komoro Castle Ruins (小諸城址 懐古園)
Once home to Komoro’s most powerful clans for over 300 years, the site is unique in that it was set in a depression protected by cliffs, a steep valley, and the Chikuma River.
(Optional) Shinrakuji Temple (真楽寺)
Located in Shiono, Nagano Prefecture, this Buddhist temple has historical records implying its as old as 586 AD.
Onioshidashi Volcanic Park (鬼押出し園)
The park showcases volcanic rocks from Mt. Asama’s 1783 eruption, creating a unique, rugged landscape with great views of nearby towns and Mt. Asama. At its centre is a temple dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy.
Kusatsu Onsen (草津温泉)
One of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns, featuring water said to cure every illness but lovesickness. Don’t miss the open-air onsen, as well as Yubatake (“Hot Water Field”) where the water flows through the town centre in the open air to be cooled and drained to surrounding hot spring baths.
(Optional) Fukiware Falls (吹割の滝)
Gradual erosion over 10,000 years has led to the creation of these seven-metre high and 30-metre wide waterfalls, forming a V shape.
Kegon Waterfalls (華厳の滝)
At almost 100-metres tall, Kegon Waterfall is often ranked as one of Japan’s most impressive waterfalls.
Where should I park/sleep?
We’d recommend staying in the parking area of Kanman Park, just outside of the main town of Nikko:
Toilets are open 24/7 and free.
Day 7: Explore Nikko
(Total driving: <1 hour)
On the last full day of your campervan adventure, you’ll spend the day hiking and exploring Nikko’s beautiful shrines and nature.
We followed the Nikko World Heritage Shrines and Temples hike on AllTrails, which hits the main Nikko highlights such as Tōshogū Shrine (日光東照宮), Kanmangafuchi Abyss (憾満ヶ淵) and Shinkyō Bridge (神橋), in a convenient round loop.
We’d recommend skipping the part at the west of the trail that goes out-and-back (there wasn’t much to see), and the main out-and-back part into central Nikko (designed for people starting and ending at the train station).
Where should I park/sleep?
There’s a michi-no-eki in Nikko (Roadside Station Nikko), although at this point we were in pretty desperate need of a shower, so we paid for a night at Nikko Daiyagawa Park Auto Camping Ground. We didn’t have to reserve a spot in advance but, as always, we’d recommend you book in advance for your trip. They speak very limited English here but with a bit of help from Papago we managed just fine – and boy was it worth it to have a hot shower!
Day 8: Return to Tokyo
(Total driving: 1-2 hours, depending on drop-off point)
Sadly, that’s it for your epic campervan adventure. Drive back to Tokyo and return the campervan, wrapping up your unforgettable road trip.
We hope you enjoyed it, as well as this itinerary, as much as we did! It truly was and will continue to be our favourite part of travelling through Japan, allowing us to see lesser-known sites and getting to know Japan’s stunning scenery much better.
Tips for a Successful Campervan Roadtrip
Driving in Japan can be a little challenging to international drivers – remember to stay on the left side of the road, and to be careful on narrow and winding roads, especially in rural areas.
An ETC card is especially handy for toll roads. You can use the Google Maps toll road toggle feature to check how much time you will save by using toll roads. Your caravan provider should be able to provide you with the ETC card to insert into your vehicle and you can pay the tolls when you return the van. Otherwise you can pay in cash or on card at the toll gates.
Keep an eye on where to find the next or last gas station – in some rural areas they can be infrequent or closed.
When thinking about where to sleep other than the spots listed in our itinerary, look for more michi-no-eki (roadside stations), RV parks, and designated campgrounds that suit your route or needs. Websites like Carstay are great for finding camping spots.
Bring plenty of layers and/or blankets – it can get cold sleeping in a van in the mountains!
Most importantly, always keep emergency contacts handy and check weather forecasts regularly.
Must-Have Apps and Tools
There are a few apps that can really enhance your experience on your adventure, meaning you can worry less about the details and enjoy the open road more!
Navigation apps like Google Maps and NaviTime are essential for getting around Japan, and language apps such as Google Translate or Papago (which we preferred – find out why here) can be lifesavers for communication, especially in rural areas.
We’d strongly recommend using an eSIM, renting a pocket wifi or buying a SIM card for internet access, so you stay connected on the move. You can read more about your options and their benefits here. Our recommendation is to use Nomad for your eSIM, which you can download here.
If you want 25% off your first eSIM from Nomad, use our code: CONN46RM.
Lastly, use apps like Carstay and Michi-no-Eki to find camping and rest areas. We used these during our planning phase to find convenient and safe spots to park and rest that had toilets (and sometimes other amenities). Many people camp at these spots overnight so you’ll rarely be alone and can even make some friends along the way!
Driving Etiquette and Cultural Insights in Japan
Always follow the local traffic rules and be polite, and please avoid unnecessary use of your car horn. At rest stops, try to keep noise to a minimum – especially at night – and respect local customs like bowing when greeting people. Learning a few basic Japanese phrases goes a long way in communicating with locals and showing respect at cultural sites.
Packing Essentials for a Campervan Trip
You’ll be hiking and sleeping in the mountains a lot during your camping trip, which are known for having varying climates and rapidly shifting weather patterns. It’s strongly advisable to pack many layers to keep warm and to bring comfortable hiking gear.
Essential camping gear includes a portable stove, cooking utensils, and bedding. Don’t forget chargers, cameras, and power banks, along with toiletries, a first aid kit, and any medications you need. Of course, your campervan provider might already include some of these things as standard, so it’s best to check in with them first.
Final Thoughts
Heading out on a Japan campervan roadtrip in Japan is an unforgettable adventure full of flexible plans, great savings, and unique experiences. Whether you’re exploring historical towns, hiking scenic trails, or soaking in hot springs, the freedom of a campervan lets you discover Japan at your own pace.
If you’re interested in more Japan activities, check out our Ultimate Japan Guide covering all the famous highlights as well as lesser-known spots for a truly incredible trip to Japan you won’t forget.
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