RV Sales Rise In Japan

Above, a Japanese RV parked in the Asakusa section of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Those who regularly follow this blog know that there is a boom in RV sales in the U.S. (at least until the current ridiculously high gasoline prices puts the brakes on it).

However, does anyone know that there is also an RV boom in Japan? It seems there is. Like in the U.S., much of the boom in Japan is also related to the coronavirus pandemic. 

A few years ago, I saw a Japanese RV parked in Asakusa. Had the owner been around, I probably would have asked to see the inside.

According to an article by the Asahi Shimbun (some snippets):

Businesses have become more creative with their campers and other outdoor-leisure vehicles, which have grown in popularity during the novel coronavirus crisis.

Cheaper options have fueled sales among younger drivers, but now, some rather unconventional vehicles are attracting attention.

Seventy companies put automobiles on display at the Japan Camping Car Show 2022 at the Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba from Feb. 10 to 13.

Preliminary data from the Japan Recreational Vehicle Association in Yokohama show that total sales of camper vans in Japan in 2021 increased 9 percent year on year to 63.54 billion yen. The figure is triple that of 10 years ago.

In 2021, 136,000 campers were owned by motorists in Japan, up 6 percent from the previous year.

To read the full article, go here.