Japan has unveiled a new ultra-compact camper that manages to sleep five people.
We recently covered Hyundai’s new Staria camper based on an electric minivan, but now it’s time to look at a very different — and equally fascinating — project coming out of Japan.
This motorhome is built on a compact Toyota cab-over truck. Despite an overall length of just 16 feet (about 4.9 meters), it can accommodate up to five people for overnight stays.
Vehicle size limits play a major role in Japan, especially in segments like kei cars. Those same constraints apply to motorhomes as well, pushing manufacturers to make them as small as possible without sacrificing comfort or usability. And more often than not, Japanese designers manage to strike that balance almost perfectly.
The camper is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged engine producing either 163 or 190 horsepower, depending on the version. Buyers can choose between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, while the transmission is a no-compromise automatic.
That said, the real highlight isn’t under the hood — it’s in the living space.
Inside, the camper features a cleverly designed and well-organized interior. It lacks a separate bathroom with a toilet and an electric cooktop, but makes up for it with a functional kitchenette that includes a refrigerator, sink, and microwave. There are also five sleeping spaces and air conditioning.
At the rear, directly above the cargo area, there’s a bed sized for two people. The dinette seats can be converted into a single sleeping spot, and above the driver’s cab sits another rectangular double bed.
For comparison, most motorhomes of this size in Japan offer only two sleeping spaces. That’s where this model — known as the Aletta — really stands out, delivering impressive capacity in a very small footprint.
As for pricing, the Toyota Camroad–based motorhome is listed at 11.67 million yen, which translates to roughly $75,000–$80,000 at current exchange rates.
The vehicle is already available for purchase — though, unsurprisingly, it’s sold exclusively in Japan.