Car show and auto-camping combined event
“Let’s Chill Out!” is a new style event that combines a car show and auto-camping, with outdoor and custom cars at its core. The 2023 event was held at the National Musashi Hills Forest Park in Saitama Prefecture on October 7-8, where various cars, including classic cars, American cars, and campers, gathered to enjoy camping. Here are some cars and owners that caught our attention from the event.
Car for van life with overnight stay
“camping-neko” had a 1968 Volkswagen Type 2 that he purchased as a birthday present from his wife. Inside the Nordisk tarp, he had set up a table, a sofa, and a record player, creating a living room-like atmosphere. He selected the Type 2 because of its size and ease of use for everyday use and camping.
“In other cars, I would have to take out a tent, but now I can stay overnight in the car, so I can easily go out without taking out any equipment. ”
DIY to make the room more comfortable
In the case of the VW Type 2, “camping-neko” enjoys camping in the style described at the beginning of this article, as he stays overnight in the car. The customization is not done in terms of the car’s functionality, but in the direction of how comfortable the interior is. For example, the floor is covered with wood flooring, the body panels are insulated and the curtains are set. Apart from the bed, which was done by a shop, most of the work was done by DIY. In addition, toasters and other items are displayed to give the room a sense of space.
“As for customizing the car, I’ve already decided to keep it stock. We didn’t have curtains, so I sewed used curtains with a sewing machine, and I put in a table that I hadn’t used at home either, and it just worked out. We have dinner here and it’s like a second home. When I sleep, I use the sheet as a bed. My style of camping has changed since I bought the Type 2. I spend more nights in the car, which means I have less luggage.”
“We want to spend time at camp with the ones we love”
The cat he met at the campsite also joined them at this event, and she told us that the reason he started actively camping was because of the dogs and cats he has at home. The reason for this was something that anyone who has a pet has thought about at least once.
“I have many pets, so when there is an earthquake, I can’t go into a shelter or something. So I started the camp so that when something happens, I can protect the cats on my own. That’s why we brought the cats to get them accustomed to being outside, so it’s like we’re practicing for evacuation.”
Of course, “camping-neko” enjoys camping themselves as well as for their pets. So what are their camping obsessions?
“We like Nordisk and collect things we like. We used to live in a 65-year-old US military house, so we started collecting things that fit in with the house and that we could also use for camping. It’s like taking things you use at home and bringing them outside. But today, I’ve forgotten a lot of things, like tables and shelves.”
translated by DeepL