CLOUD NINE CAMPING JAPAN | Rooftop Tent Car Rentals — Attraction in Tokyo

An Unforgettable 12-Night Journey with Cloud Nine Camping Japan – So Much More Than Just Mt. Fuji

My wife and I just returned from a 12-night Auto-camping adventure across Japan, and without hesitation, we can say that Akira and Takuya from Cloud Nine made this trip truly unforgettable. We rented their Suzuki Jimny camper, and it became our home, our transport, and our trusty companion through mountains, coasts, onsens, forests, and charming villages.

From the very first interaction, the Cloud Nine team radiated genuine excitement for our journey. I think we may have been their longest rental to date, and the team's reaction at check-in — a mix of curiosity, enthusiasm, and “you’re really doing all that?” energy — set the tone for what became a deeply personal experience. They weren’t just handing over the keys to a car — they were investing in our adventure.

The Jimny itself? An absolute beast. It took on tight mountain switchbacks, breezy seaside highways, and forest trails like it was built for all of it — which, frankly, it was. It’s compact and nimble but never once felt limited. The camper setup was efficient and well thought-out — we could set up camp in minutes - getting envious stares from those languishing with dome tents and ground mats, and everything we needed was onboard: bedding, a fire pit, tongs, wood splitter, cooktop, table, pots, pans, and cutlery. We were warm, dry, and well-fed everywhere we went.

Here’s a snapshot of our journey: Aokindaira Field River A Noto Tsukumo Bay Camp Field Echizennagisa Auto Camping Ground Tanise Suspension Bridge (Cloud Nine helped with the booking) Resort Oshima Shirahamaso Autocamp (Cloud Nine helped to suggest) Ginga Momiji Campground (Cloud Nine helped to suggest) Koan Campground

Along the way, the Cloud Nine crew stayed in touch, cheering us on through our Instagram stories and even helping us out with campsite recommendations and bookings when we hit language walls. That kind of support isn’t common — it’s connection. They weren’t just a rental company — they were part of our journey.

And when we returned? We were met with jumps of joy, excited questions, and laughter as we recounted our loop across Japan. It felt like we had returned not just from a road trip, but from something special that the whole Cloud Nine team had been rooting for the whole way.

To anyone thinking about renting from Cloud Nine Camping Japan — go for it, but know this: there’s so much more to this experience than ticking off Mt. Fuji and heading back to Tokyo. With Cloud Nine, the whole country opens up to you — its rhythms, its hidden gems, its wild roads, and its quiet mountain mornings.

We’re grateful, inspired, and already dreaming of...

My partner and I booked a 2 week long camping road trip in the summer knowing we wanted to see the countryside of Japan, having done the main cities already and it didn’t disappoint. We went with Cloud Nine as it looked perfect for our needs. We were used to limited camping so the amenities they provided us were luxurious. All the instructions were explained well on videos on a iPad they provide so it’s pretty easy to get started. The onboarding was pretty seamless and we were off in half an hour. The staff there were super friendly, even at 8am in the morning, and were very responsive when we needed any information.

We rented the Jimny Sierra for the two of us. It was quite a small compact car but perfect for us. We had two medium/large rucksacks and two small bags and we just about fit our stuff in. The equipment does take up a fair amount of space however we did use everything throughout our trip so not complaining. It was right-hand drive and automatic like in the UK so it was very easy to get use to. The carplay connects pretty easily and you can use google maps immediately. The car itself can make a little noise but you get used to it quickly. The tent itself was easy to set up and it was pretty comfortable. It was very relaxing when we were chilling inside the tent while it was raining.

On the journey, we tried to avoid tolls, which we heard were expensive, even though we got an ETC card, which i would still recommend. The country roads are stunning, driving through lush green areas, so would recommend getting off the expressway some times, although can add a lot of time depending on where you are going. It may also add up fuel costs so decide what you would rather do.

Highlights of the trip: Koan camping ground and climbing Mount Fuji the next day Kamikochi and the surrounding areas finding free campsites near rivers and having a morning swim Going to Amanohashidate, Ine, Shirakawa, Kegon waterfalls, Jigokudani Yawn-Koen (onsen monkeys) amazing!! seeing a black bear and her two cubs while driving (still can’t get over it, they were so cute) best campsite: Okuhidaonsengo auto camping ground (free onsen) camping near rivers, up in mountains, in a forest, by a beach. camp fires and roasting marshmallows went to kuuchuu-no-mura treehouse (amazing experience up in the mountains but not camping)

Negatives: booking some campsites can be difficult if you don’t live in japan

Thank you Cloud Nine for letting us go on the journey of our lives. We loved every second of it and would come back and...

CLOUD NINE KEPT US ON CLOUD TEN!

❓Camping Noobs❓ First time camping and it was easy peasy as the instructional videos (English/ Chinese provided) were simple to follow and playback! We just packed clothes for the days ( Suzuki Jimny could fit 2 backpacks) & were ready for CLOUD NINE to handle everything else! They provided towels, toothbrushes & even phone cables to charge iPhone/ Android and navigate on CarPlay. We took about 2 hours for 2 camping noobs to set up camp the first time.

⛺️🔨Camp Gear 🔨⛺️ This gave me the chance to experience the camping tools I have always dreamt of using- Snow Peak, Coleman, Barebones and many more. Everything was cleaned and packed in tip top condition. The rooftop camp with ladder (including awning) is sturdy, we survived a thunderstorm on Day 1 of camp at Koan Campsite!💪🏼

🥩 Outdoor Cooking🥩 The Shimano cooler box is the MVP, we placed all our raw meats, fish and alcohol to prepare for a sumptuous campsite dinner. Cooking preparation carried on smoothly with the extensive set of dining tools: scissors, knife, utensils and portable fire starter! We even used the all spice in the spice box provided for cooking all meats, it was delicious seasoning!

Our only gripe is the driving experience on the Suzuki Jimny with underpowered acceleration, may be due to the weight of the camping gears packed to the brim! One Coleman sleeping bag (instead of 2) should be sufficient for 2 pax camping.

Will strongly recommend, perfect experience delivered by perfectly patient and professional team at...