Japan to use RVs for disaster relief workers under new agreements

On April 28, the Outdoor Village Yakage complex opened in Yakage, Okayama Prefecture. The 46,000 sq m site includes an auto campground, a water plaza, and the Montbell Yakage store — the largest in the Chugoku-Shikoku region. The two-story visitor center (1,400 sq m floor area) houses the Montbell store with about 25,000 products, an Italian cafe, and a viewing deck on the second floor. This is Montbell's 133rd store in Japan and fourth in the prefecture.

Outdoor119, an e-commerce site specializing in motorhome gear and disaster preparedness supplies, announced on April 28, 2026, that it has become an authorized dealer of the 'Kokkun Nomero Zou' series of emergency water filters manufactured by Miyasaka Kogyo. The filters operate via a manual pump, requiring no electricity, and can purify water from bathtubs, storage tanks, and even rivers. Models vary in capacity and filter type, with all units certified by public testing agencies for compliance with drinking water standards.

In Oita Prefecture, Yufu City, the hand-built campsite CAMP×WOODS spans about 60,000 tsubo (approx. 20 hectares) of oak forest along Yamanami Highway, 15 minutes by car from Yufuin hot spring town. The site offers auto, solo, and dog-friendly pitches. Rates: weekdays 2,000 yen per adult; weekends and holidays 3,000 yen; under 18s and pets free. Gravel ground ensures good drainage in rain. Facilities include clean toilets, cooking areas, and firewood sold at 700 yen per bucket.

Two travelers who converted a US school bus into a camper shared their 500-day living experience. They addressed women's top concerns: bathing (public baths and hot springs), toilets (highway rest areas, portable toilet rarely used), and safety (choosing spots with activity and moderate lighting). The key takeaway is that a sense of security matters more than equipment.

On April 25, the Oonuma Camp Field opens on the summit of Mount Akagi (Gunma Prefecture), rebuilt on the site of a former lakeside campground. Area: approx. 68,000 m²; total cost: ¥1.8 billion. It features 109 plots, some with trailer houses (travel trailers) with hotel-like interiors and dog runs. Rental equipment is available. Reservations are handled via Snow Peak’s website; Golden Week slots are already fully booked. Separately, on April 24, the 'Hobo no Eki AKAGI' facility started full operations, offering food and goods using local ingredients.

On March 19, the Misuzuko Mori no Kuni Auto Campground in Matsumoto held its Sakura Festival open to the general public for the first time. Previously, the event was restricted to campground users. Activities included woodworking workshops, making 'God's Eye' crafts, and food sales. The campground manager stated they plan to continue the open event.