El Monte RV Rental company category:Standard
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El Monte RV Japan1-2-7 Yamate (next to Keiyo D2 parking lot), 273-0045 Funabashi, Chiba PrefectureView map
Hiring a campervan in Tokyo means leaving the vast metropolis for a Japan the train barely shows: the shores of the Five Lakes at the foot of Mount Fuji, the hot springs of Hakone, the shrines of Nikko in the cedar forest and the mountain villages of the Japanese Alps. 2 partner companies, El Monte RV and Travellers Autobarn, offer camper vans, compact campers and family cab-over motorhomes.
Their two depots are in neighbouring Chiba Prefecture, east of the capital: El Monte RV in Funabashi, Travellers Autobarn in Narita, near the country's main international airport.
2 rental partners
Where to pick up your vehicle in Tokyo?
Travellers Autobarn Rental company category:Low cost
Public rating of the rental company: 4.0/5 (305 reviews)
- Tripadvisor 4.0/5 305 reviews
Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.
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Travellers Auto Barn Japan Airport311-11, Komaino, 〒286-0121 Narita City, ChibaView map
Observed prices
Rental prices observed in Tokyo
| Vehicle | Winter January | Summer July | Autumn October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €41/day median €54/day | from €59/day median €73/day | from €59/day median €79/day |
Daily prices observed on October 21, 2026 for a 15-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 2 rental companies compared. 100% of offers with unlimited mileage.
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Tokyo
1 Mount Fuji, the Five Lakes, Hakone and the Izu Peninsula
- Tokyo
- Kawaguchiko
- Lake Motosu
- Lake Yamanaka
- Hakone
- Atami
- Shimoda
- Dogashima
- Shuzenji
- Tokyo
The Chuo Expressway takes you to Kawaguchiko and the Fuji Five Lakes, whose shores offer the most famous views of the volcano, from Lake Motosu to Lake Yamanaka. You then head down to Hakone, Lake Ashi and the steaming Owakudani valley, before following the east coast of the Izu Peninsula to Shimoda, then the jagged west coast at Dogashima. Return via Shuzenji and its baths.
- Distance
- about 600 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Camper van or compact camper
2 Nikko, Oku-Nikko and the hot springs of Gunma
- Tokyo
- Nikko
- Lake Chuzenji
- Konsei Pass
- Numata
- Kusatsu
- Karuizawa
- Tokyo
To the north, Nikko combines the lacquered shrines of Tosho-gu, a World Heritage Site, with the hairpin Irohazaka road climbing to Lake Chuzenji and the Kegon Falls. The Konsei Pass, closed in winter, opens the road to Numata, Kusatsu and its sulphur baths, then Karuizawa, a mountain resort popular with Tokyoites, before returning to the capital.
- Distance
- about 550 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Compact camper or cab-over motorhome
3 The Japanese Alps and Kyoto by road
- Tokyo
- Matsumoto
- Kamikochi
- Takayama
- Shirakawa-go
- Kyoto
- Tokyo
The Chuo Expressway leads to Matsumoto and its black castle, gateway to the Northern Alps; the Kamikochi valley, closed to cars, is reached by shuttle bus from the Sawando or Hirayu car parks. Takayama and its old merchant streets come before Shirakawa-go and its thatched farmhouses. You finally head down to Kyoto, then return to Tokyo on the coastal expressways, at the foot of Mount Fuji.
In Kyoto, park on the outskirts, in a car park that accepts large vehicles, and explore the city by train and bus.
- Distance
- about 1,100 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Cab-over motorhome or heated camper
Weather and seasons
When to go in Tokyo?
Best time
Spring and autumn
March to May, October to November
highs 14 to 23 °C, lows 5 to 15 °C
The best seasons to leave from Tokyo: cherry blossom from late March to early April, red maples in October in Nikko and in November around the Five Lakes. October remains rainy, with typhoons possible early in the month. Avoid Golden Week, from late April to early May, when roads and campsites are packed.
High season
June to September
June to September
highs 26 to 31 °C, lows 19 to 25 °C
Summer begins with the rainy season, from June to mid-July, then gives way to muggy heat: nights hardly drop below 24 °C in July and August in Tokyo. The Obon holidays in mid-August fill the expressways, and typhoons threaten at the end of summer. Yet this is the season for climbing Mount Fuji, with every high Alpine pass open.
Winter
December to February
December to February
highs 9 to 12 °C, lows 0 to 3 °C
Tokyo's winter is dry and bright, with eight hours of sunshine a day in January and February, and Mount Fuji usually shows itself under snow. In the Japanese Alps and Shirakawa-go, however, snow is heavy: winter tyres are essential, high passes are closed and a heated camper is a must.
Climate in Tokyo, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9 °C | 0 °C | 53 mm | 8 h/day | 9 °C |
| Feb | 10 °C | 1 °C | 51 mm | 8 h/day | 8 °C |
| Mar | 14 °C | 5 °C | 141 mm | 8 h/day | 11 °C |
| Apr | 18 °C | 10 °C | 135 mm | 9 h/day | 15 °C |
| May | 23 °C | 15 °C | 153 mm | 9 h/day | 19 °C |
| Jun | 26 °C | 19 °C | 182 mm | 8 h/day | 23 °C |
| Jul | 30 °C | 24 °C | 168 mm | 9 h/day | 27 °C |
| Aug | 31 °C | 25 °C | 132 mm | 10 h/day | 29 °C |
| Sep | 28 °C | 21 °C | 197 mm | 8 h/day | 28 °C |
| Oct | 22 °C | 15 °C | 191 mm | 7 h/day | 22 °C |
| Nov | 17 °C | 9 °C | 89 mm | 7 h/day | 18 °C |
| Dec | 12 °C | 3 °C | 54 mm | 7 h/day | 13 °C |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Visit Tokyo before you take the wheel
Parking a motorhome in central Tokyo is a feat: car parks are rare, narrow and expensive, height limits are common and the urban expressways are complex. Explore the capital by metro and train, then collect the vehicle on the day you leave. The depots in Funabashi and Narita, east of the city, let you hit the road without crossing the centre.
Tolls and ETC card
Almost all Japanese expressways are tolled, and the tolls add up on a long trip. Ask for an ETC card with the vehicle: it lets you pass the barriers without stopping, and some entrances to Tokyo's urban expressways now accept ETC only. Also ask about the expressway passes reserved for foreign visitors and which vehicles they cover.
Driving on the left in Japan
Traffic drives on the left, with the steering wheel on the right, and speed limits are low and respected. The stop sign is a red downward-pointing triangle marked 止まれ, and stopping is compulsory before every level crossing. Tolerance for alcohol is almost zero, and passengers of a drunk driver are penalised too. On expressways, signs are also in English.
RV parks, campsites and onsen
For a proper stay, RV parks, paid sites approved by the Japan RV Association, offer electricity, toilets and a reserved pitch; "auto camps", campsites you can drive into, are plentiful around Mount Fuji and in the Alps. As campers rarely have a shower, people wash in onsen and public baths, found in almost every town.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Tokyo
Where can I pick up a campervan in Tokyo?
Our two partner companies are based in Chiba Prefecture. El Monte RV Japan welcomes customers in Funabashi, in the Yamate district, next to the Keiyo D2 car park, about twenty kilometres east of the centre. Travellers Autobarn Japan is in Komaino, in the city of Narita, near the airport and about 60 km from the centre. The exact address is in your confirmation.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Tokyo?
Our searches in October 2026, covering 13 offers from two companies for a 15-day hire, found camper vans from €41 per day, mandatory fees included, for a January departure, with a median of €54. For a July or October departure, prices start at €59 per day. Run a search with your dates to get prices you can book.
Which campervan should I choose for Japanese roads?
Narrow village roads, mountain hairpins and tight car parks: a compact vehicle is the easiest to live with in Japan. The offers observed range from the Chubby Camper, with two seats and two berths, to the Kuga Camper for three, up to the C16 Cabover motorhome, with five seats and five berths, for families. "Kei campers", built on tiny light cars, are the most nimble.
Can I sleep at a michi-no-eki roadside station?
Michi-no-eki, roadside stations with toilets open day and night, local produce shops and sometimes an onsen, are first and foremost rest stops for drivers. A short night to recover is often tolerated, but setting out awnings, tables or a stove is frowned upon, and some forbid it: follow the signs and choose RV parks for several nights.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Tokyo with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
First rental of this type of vehicle in a professional context where the rental must take place from France to Canada. Many questions and Cooldrive (Marlène) has been a valuable support in guiding my choices. Efficiency and responsiveness beforehand, and on-site a vehicle and service that met our expectations. No complaints. Great!
Alain L.
Canada · Oct 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Too rigid computer system
Eric L.
Portugal · Oct 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Very good customer experience with Cooldrive. I highly recommend it! Thanks to the team who were attentive and available for organizing my trip to Canada.
B.
Canada · Oct 2025
Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Tokyo
What licence do I need to drive a motorhome in Japan?
Japan requires your national licence together with an international driving permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Holders of certain licences, including those issued in France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland or Taiwan, present an official Japanese translation instead. Check before you leave: without one of these documents, the rental company will not hand over the vehicle.
Is mileage unlimited?
All the offers observed in our October 2026 searches from Tokyo included unlimited mileage, a real advantage for a trip to the Japanese Alps or Kyoto. Conditions still vary by company and length of hire: check them on the chosen offer, and remember that fuel and tolls always come on top.
How do I get to the depots from the airport?
Arriving at Narita, you are a few kilometres from the Travellers Autobarn depot, quickly reached by taxi. The El Monte RV depot in Funabashi is reached by commuter train from central Tokyo, then by taxi. Tell the company your arrival time and, after a long flight, plan a night nearby before driving on the left.
Can I drive up Mount Fuji in a campervan?
The roads to Mount Fuji's fifth stations, where the summit trails start, are closed to private vehicles for part of the summer, at the height of the climbing season: you then park lower down and go up by shuttle bus. The rest of the year, snow can also close them. Check that year's restriction dates before you set off.
Where can I refuel and shop in Japan?
Petrol stations often close in the evening in the countryside: fill up before mountain roads. The red nozzle dispenses regular petrol, the yellow one premium and the green one diesel, written 軽油, which has nothing to do with small "kei" cars. Konbini, convenience stores open day and night, offer toilets, ready meals and often cash machines that accept foreign cards.
About us
Why start a motorhome trip from Tokyo
Tokyo is the natural gateway for a motorhome trip in Japan: its two international airports are the best connected in the country, and Honshu's most famous landscapes begin a few hours' drive away. Mount Fuji and its lakes, the hot springs of Hakone and Izu, the shrines of Nikko and then the valleys of the Japanese Alps can be discovered at your own pace, sleeping close to the sights, where the train forces you back to town every evening.
With two partner companies based in Funabashi and Narita, you hit the road without tackling the centre of the capital, with prices observed from €41 per day in October 2026. Mild spring and autumn, dry and sunny winter on the Kanto plain: Tokyo suits a departure almost all year round, as long as you bring the right licence and an ETC card.