Renting the "ESCAPADE" kei camper in Sendai! Rental Process & Recommended Highlights of this Popular Kei Camper

I recently rented a kei-cam (light camper van) in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, using the Carstay service!

With our rented vehicle, we headed out to participate in the "Make Debut Shachuhaku (Car Camping)" event held from June 17 to June 18, 2023, at "Auto Resort in Hagi Village" in Takahagi City, Ibaraki Prefecture.

In this article, I will walk you through the actual process of renting a kei camper van, why I chose this specific vehicle, and its recommended highlights, along with a recap of the event.

▶︎Click here for camper vans and kei-cams available for rent/car sharing in Miyagi Prefecture:

Miyagi camper rental | Carstay

Rent a campervan in Miyagi with Carstay! Enjoy a free vanlife trip to Tohoku's top tourist destinations such as Matsushima and Akiu Onsen. There are many car models that allow pets. Book now!

https://carstay.jp/en/car-list/tohoku/miyagi/

Choosing a Kei-Cam & the Rental Process

Perfect for Beginners: Renting a User-Friendly "Kei Camper"

The vehicle we rented this time was the "ESCAPADE" (starting from ¥9,500 / 24 hours), available for pickup in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. It is a light commercial van customized specifically into a cozy kei-cam, featuring a seating capacity of 4 and a sleeping capacity of 2.

Since I usually drive a kei camper myself, I felt a bit anxious about handling a larger vehicle. That’s why I decided to rent a compact kei-cam style camper, which is virtually identical in size to my everyday ride.

If you are thinking, "I want to try van life or car camping, but I’m not confident enough to drive a massive camper van or commercial size van," a compact light kei camper is highly recommended for you.

Additionally, many kei-cams can be rented for under ¥10,000 a night, making them the perfect budget-friendly option for trying out a camper van.

To top it off, this particular vehicle comes equipped with 4WD, giving you total peace of mind when driving on forest roads or snowy winter lanes. This kei camper lets you fully immerse yourself in the natural beauty of areas like the Sanriku Coast or the Zao Mountain Range, both located within an hour's drive from Sendai.

Chatting with the Owner in Advance for Peace of Mind

You can book your kei camper directly through Carstay’s website or official app. Once your reservation is confirmed, the built-in chat feature allows you to communicate directly with the vehicle's host (owner).

Being able to coordinate the pickup location, times, and clear up any questions beforehand was incredibly reassuring.

The host we rented from runs a used car dealership, meaning they are available for vehicle handovers almost every day of the week. You have the option to drive your own car to their dealership, pick up the rental kei-cam, and leave your personal vehicle parked there. Alternatively, they offer a delivery service to nearby train stations (for an additional round-trip fee of ¥2,000).

For this trip, I opted for the station delivery. During the handover, the host gave me a thorough walkthrough of the kei camper van, which allowed me to ask any questions right then and there.

Fully Loaded! Hands-Free Camping with "ESCAPADE" Features & Complementary Amenities

The drive from Sendai City to the campsite in Takahagi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, took about 5 hours using local roads. Because we stopped frequently at roadside stations (Michi-no-Eki) to rest, the drive in our kei-cam was incredibly smooth and comfortable.

Furthermore, the van comes packed with an abundance of built-in equipment and amenities—you could literally turn up empty-handed without a single issue. Throughout our 3-day, 2-night rental period, we stayed completely stress-free in our compact kei camper.

Here is a breakdown of the standard equipment and free rental options included with the "ESCAPADE":

1. Table & Chairs (No Extra Charge)

A table and chairs—perfect for catching up on laptop work or enjoying a meal—are surprisingly included completely free of charge. The chairs are foldable, so you can easily pack them away into the kei-cam's storage when it’s time to sleep.

I parked the van in a lush, scenic spot, opened up the back hatch, and caught up on some laptop work while enjoying the breeze. It was incredibly refreshing and made my productivity skyrocket!

2. Cot, Inflatable Mattress, and Full Bedding Set (No Extra Charge)

The bedding required for sleeping inside the kei camper can also be borrowed for free. Placing the inflatable mattress on top of the camping cot made the kei-cam interior incredibly plush and comfortable to sleep on. I slept soundly all the way until morning.

Since my trip took place in mid-June and the campsite was up in the mountains, the temperature fluctuation between day and night was quite drastic. It got significantly colder at night than I anticipated, but the complimentary blankets saved the day! They kept me perfectly warm inside the kei camper throughout the night.

3. Large-Capacity Portable Battery & Fan (No Extra Charge)

A circulator/mini-fan—an absolute must-have for summer car camping—and an EcoFlow RIVER Pro portable power station are also included for free in this light camper van.

The RIVER Pro is a high-capacity 720Wh power station. It supports appliances with outputs up to 1200W, meaning you can run not only the air circulator but also high-power electronics like an induction cooktop inside your kei-cam. It’s absolutely ideal for 1–2 people car camping!

4. Gas Stoves & Cooking Utensils (No Extra Charge)

Gas stoves, induction cooktops, kettles, and pots are all provided, allowing you to whip up van meals or camping dishes completely empty-handed. You can even rent a full BBQ equipment set as an additional option for your kei-cam adventure!

During this trip, I used the cooking tools to make a hot pot dish and fried noodles. Cooking alongside the other event participants made for a fantastic, memorable time.

Rent a Kei-Cam and Experience the Van Life for Yourself!

In this article, I shared my experience renting the "ESCAPADE" kei camper to attend a car-camping event.

While it was a long journey from Sendai City in Miyagi to Takahagi City in Ibaraki, taking frequent, relaxed breaks made the drive in this light camper van incredibly pleasant! I was able to enjoy the entire event from start to finish without feeling drained.

Even if you don't own a vehicle, why not rent a kei-cam through Carstay and experience the freedom of compact van life for yourself?

▶︎Click here for camper vans and kei-cams available for rent/car sharing in Miyagi Prefecture:

Miyagi camper rental | Carstay

Rent a campervan in Miyagi with Carstay! Enjoy a free vanlife trip to Tohoku's top tourist destinations such as Matsushima and Akiu Onsen. There are many car models that allow pets. Book now!

https://carstay.jp/en/car-list/tohoku/miyagi/