This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy.

The Art of Japanese Van Dwelling. Custom Cabinets, Inlaid Ceiling, and Tatami Mats.

Table of Contents show

I’ve never seen anything like this van camper. It’s a standard size Japanese mini-van, but Japanese minivans are much smaller than American ones.

The owner thought about building it for a year, and the actual construction took 10 months. It took so long because he could only work on it during his vacation days and on weekends. (Japanese workers usually only get 1-2 weeks of vacation per year, and often work 6 days a week)

He doesn’t live out of it full-time, and only uses it on short trips.

One thing I noticed missing was the bed. But he probably sleeps directly on the tatami mats using a futon. A tatami mat is a two to three inch thick pad made of a specific type of woven straw. The futon is similar to a mattress pad made of foam.

Some Japanese don’t sleep in beds, but rather on futons that are placed directly on the floor!

I lived in Japan for two years, got married there, and travel back about once a year. It’s an awesome place – very clean, safe, and the transportation system is the most efficient in the world.

Look at the style and craftsmanship of the cabinets and the inlaid ceiling. He even hung a framed picture on the wall!

If you didn’t know this was the inside of a van, you’d think it was a room in an actual Japanese house!

httpv://youtu.be/JvduJHmdPME

 

I’m glad the owner decided to make a video tour of his van. I wouldn’t have believed him if I didn’t see it!


Related Posts

DON’T MISS OUT ON Do It Yourself RV UPDATES

Sign up for the newsletter today!