The Bongo is both a second home and an important partner for the family

On 6-7 April 2024, the “Japan’s largest collection of DIY Bongos in Minano Town in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture” (official name undecided) was held at the “Bokurano Minano Base” campsite. We spoke to the owner of a Bongo Van with a cabin-style interior and a hammock, who had created a beautiful site at the event.

He usually camps with his family of three! Outdoor life is streamed on YouTube

“I heard a bongo-only gathering, so I came wherever the location was (laughs). In any case, I came to Chichibu after spending a night in Fumotopara (a sacred place for outdoor fans in Shizuoka Prefecture) on the way.”

Kohei Miwa, owner of a 2009 Bongo Van, says he drove 500 km from Shiga Prefecture to the Chichibu area in Saitama Prefecture.

“When I go out in my Bongo, I’m usually with my family, but this time I’m solo. No-if I had known I would be interviewed, I would have invited my family too…”

He looks disappointed. The active Miwa-san, who goes out somewhere every weekend, is said to transmit information about his outdoor life, the introduction of goods, and how to enjoy himself in the field on his YouTube channel called “Beard and Aoi”.

As you can see, “Beard” is Mr Miwa, and “Aoi” is the name of his eight-year-old daughter.

“I’m a company employee, so I can only go away on weekends and long holidays like summer holidays, but the furthest I can go is to Hokkaido with my family, and on weekends we go camping and stay in the car, so I go out with this Bongo in some way.”

Bongo can be cost-effective for DIY customization as long as the vehicle is inexpensive

Before the Bongo, Miwa’s favorite car was a Suzuki Every. He came across the Bongo three years ago when he was thinking about overnight stays and van life, because it was affordable and he could spend money on DIY.

“I chose a high-roof vehicle for the ease of staying overnight. It’s a four-wheel-drive petrol car with a switchable four-wheel-drive system, so it can go into rough terrain without worry, and the fuel consumption is not too bad at high speeds. And the Bongo is registered as a cargo vehicle, so maintenance costs are economical. Oh, the annual vehicle inspection is a bit of a hassle, though.”

The matte beige exterior is of course a DIY paint job. Another favorite point is that the interior has been boarded up to give it a cabin-like atmosphere. And the most interesting illustration on the exterior is, of course, a competition between father and son.

“When I told my daughter she could draw anywhere she liked, she suddenly drew a big picture in the middle!”

“From now on, I want to make Bongo with more originality”

“We also fitted a roof-top tent because my daughter is getting older and there is plenty of room for three parents and their children to sleep in it. It’s very useful.”

They are making convenient use of the rooftop room, which becomes a bedroom by simply unbuckling and popping it up.

“Mr Mao collected the bongos this time, so I got to meet people I usually follow on Instagram, and the event was great. Among people who enjoy van life, bongos are kind of rare, aren’t they? That makes for a greater sense of camaraderie.”

translated by DeepL