Japanese Camping House Van

Saw this on TV the other day - thanks to Cyber for the find. A van that transforms into a house which these guys used to travel around Japan.
Original text from Cyberchaos below.
Quick summary:
3 Japanese high school mates want to go on a year-long road trip - Hokkaido up north to Yakushima down south.
Find out that there is not enough sleeping space when filled with gear, so they decide to custom build their own with a mid-80s Toyota truck base.
The build took 2 years, but with every comfort necessary.
Comes with:
Transforming roof to accommodate a 4 tatami sleeping area (Top)
Kitchen and dining area
A retractable porch/deck
Bathroom with a decent sized bath, shower equipment and western style toilet
Here is a vid of the roof in action:
They are now selling the truck for a mere $5,500
Please visit their Official site for photos of the build process and the trip. (WARNING: Severe engrish ahead)
Found on:
Japanese Nostalgic Car Blog
Neatorama
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security/3d graphic artist
http://www.kennethleishman.com/
home made?? thats impressive
Mechanical Engineering student
http://sabekujikaneda.multiply.com/
Perfect for the zombie apocalypse! You always need to move around XD
Night
http://myspace.com/ramesbmx
XDDDD Exactly XD we find the absolut amor to kill and protect us from the zombie's attacks! XD
三年せいとオタク
XD Thats what I thought too just need to mount some machine guns to the top and make the windows zombie proof and if possible the doors too :D
Mechanical Engineering student
http://sabekujikaneda.multiply.com/
All it needs is some reinforcements at the front in case one needs to charge in at a zombie mob, some hatches on the side where one can fire rifles/machineguns and probably a minigun at the top. Now, where do we put the ammo... O_o
三年せいとオタク
I'd stash the ammo in the bathroom and invest in diapers. If you catch my drfit >.>;
Mechanical Engineering student
http://sabekujikaneda.multiply.com/
The feeling of my solid waste between my legs while firing an AR-15 and fighting for my life? I could get used to that x_x
Disc Jockey, Storeman, Computer Tech, Misc.
you can get used to it on your own in a well ventilated area. lol
iCafe Manager
You guys watch too many zombie movies.
Mechanical Engineering student
http://sabekujikaneda.multiply.com/
Better be safe than sorry, noh? LOL XD
911 Emergency Services
Reminds me a bit of Left 4 Dead as well, been playing that zombie game recently... lol.
N.E.E.T
but this house cannot hold the tank, right? but can be a save place from smoker, hunter and boomer (too much! too much left 4 deadd!!!)
Student
http://theotakukid.com/
We need some heavy armor in case the tank come and crack open the van. We will also need some heavy 50. cal machine gun above the van.
三年せいとオタク
We'll see who has the last laugh when we're over run by zombies :p
Family IT guy ...yes, NEET.
Remember to close the safe door!
Otaku Parent
Heheh, we seem to have a high population of zombie survivalists for an otaku site!
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
get a APC instead.............
Student, part-time Haruhi wannabe (that bit about godhood etc)
http://www.aprilius20.com
Haha these guys are really mad geniuses with too much free time:)
Student, Bioresearch Assistant, WAVE VP Communications
http://gndynames.wordpress.com
This is freaking awesome!
http://akari-nyan.deviantart.com/
Oh wow that's cool!
Student, ...someday...zzz
WANT!!!!!!!!!!!!
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
They're only asking for $5,500? o_O Granted, I'm not sure how many Japanese like RV-ing, and true, the van might not be road legal in other countries, but that's a really low price for such an impressive vehicle. I'm sure there's years and years' worth of memories associated with it too.
My guess is that they don't have the space to park it? It seems the most likely reason for them to be selling it in such a rush.
Family IT guy ...yes, NEET.
Next time they gonna move around sellin roasted potatoes.
Otaku / Student in Networking
http://hayasaki-kun.blogspot.com/
wooo awesome!
Experiment volunteer for social dysfunctionality
http://coffeebugg.blogspot.com/
that is too bloody cool for words...
Student
http://myanimelist.net/profile/Unyuu
This is way too awesome. Are they really selling this for $5,500 ?! This is like stolen money for a house truck of that caliber O_O!
HS Student
if they could do that with a Honda, think of the possibilities of what that could manage with a tractor trailer! It would be like a skyscraper! transformers anyone?
Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 触手 wrangler, H-Man
http://lightningsabre.blogspot.com/
Traveling around Japan in style! Very nice mod. It still look a bit cramped in one of the pictures though.
Apprentice Baking & Pastry Chef
http://Ima-Monogatari.com/
i gotta get myself one of those!
Your local Otaku Cashier.
Holy hell, I want something like that even though I don't care for RVs. Though, I'd have a giant picture on the side of the truck with Clannad or something.
???Confused???
nice work on that...
Student
http://anime.scripts.mit.edu/miteiru/
Whoooaa that's amazing! Beats a regular trailer any day... cuz it's like a Transformer! ^__^
Blogger, consultant
http://www.netharuka.com
Yeah, I had the same thought about transformers.
machinery operator, eskimo, blame taker
I'm sorry but us aussies have the japanese beat for transformer trucks for proof
see here ---> http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=E2Vjpv0LXAo
Student!
http://zh3us.wordpress.com/
wo... like wow, but they will have to either camp outside for cooking or eat convenience food!
Student!
http://zh3us.wordpress.com/
i was wrong! there is a kitchen in there!! D:
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
http://immalion.com
Wow, so very awesome... I still dream of making a long trip just like that.
Only it'd also have to be in Japan, and I'm nowhere near it now. xD
Only downside is that it probably gets very hot/cold in there...
Nurse
That's a neat way to get around. Cost of living has got to be cheap!
Student
http://miri.textcube.com/
That was a brilliant idea, with great effort. Kudos to them for working so painstakingly.
Student
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dramacd/
Awesome. I'd get a generator and live in a parking lot, if it were safe enough.
Engineering and Sales
As an engineer this makes me very happy, Nice to see creative people building from absolute scratch! Very impressed.
Mercenary
that is awsome.
anime/cosplay events organizer
http://www.cosplay.ph
those guys are awesome! m/
Student / Wannabe Artist
http://tsundereworks.wordpress.com
that's really cool!
just grab your stuff and go! the aliens are coming! oh noes! don't worry about it, the toyota is faster than the spaceship
*pulls out LAW rocket launcher*
eat this, alien bastards!
i could make a movie out of this. =]
NEET
http://austrianotaku.com/
xD I have strange pictures in my head now ^_^
Professional Student
no property tax needed
Figurine Enthusiast, Uni Student
wow seems very "transformers"
indeed they are Japanese made.. ^^;
Illustrator, Autobot envoy
http://demoverexeno.deviantart.com
Awesome work by these guys. ^_^
College student, Mech programmer and striving photographer.
http://moeforme.blogspot.com
THAT is so friggin sweet. Being homemade is even more amazing. Where does he keep the bathtub it looks like it takes up 1/4 of the interior! Its perfect for tailgating at the stadiums!
College Student, Fansubber, Freelance Web Forum Admin
http://myanimelist.net/profile/Piroko
That's awesome!
I wouldn't mind living in that, and it greatly urges me to travel more. ;_;
If I were to get it, I'd at least get some satellite internet, so I'll still be connected to the internet. :P
http://pantsukudasai.deviantart.com/
Hey Danny, you said in another post that when you buy a car, that you have to provide proof that you have a place for parking. So how do RVs work? Since you're travelling all the time.
Or maybe the check for the parking space isn't really strict?
Daigakusei [Consular and Diplomatic Affairs]
http://dixinfernal.wordpress.com
pure win!
Hikikomori
http://toxxyn.blogspot.com/
Haha... wow. How creative.
Tech Freak
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendId=191670173
That is awesome!! only $5,500? they could auction it on e-bay and make millions!
http://www.stefkov.com/
That is so cool!
Bum,Hachi Roku driver
$5,500 is a modest price and im broke but want that truck T_T
Moe Hunter
http://moehunter.wordpress.com/
This is so awesome. always wondered how I could do extensive travelling around britain...
Student
Really impressive. And for home made even more. This is the first man-build Transformer!!
Student
http://theotakukid.com/
Impressive idea on creating your own ride!~
JR. College Student
http://npc.talkingincircles.net/
Whoa that's amazing!
Student and full-time otaku
I wouldnt' mind taking a road trip if I could drive thát.
transformers !
discovering gravity and some other stuff.
http://retrovsmass.blogspot.com
Okay that's soooo cool ._.!
http://xcomprandomness.co.uk/
I'll stick to a tried and trusted caravan thanks but, that is pretty impressive being a DIY.
still trying to figure it out...
http://pipopaz.wordpress.com/
that's sooo cool! i wish i could do the same ^0^
Student artist
http://www.requestview.wordpress.com
Does he have to pay property tax?
former - government dog
wow... brilliant! it doesnt look much much but it's enough for 3 lads to have a good trip.
University Student
http://shikinami.wordpress.com/
Cool! I want one. XD
Physical Therapist
http://www.flyingpussyfoot.com
Very impressive work!
Too bad it probably wouldnt be allowed on german streets
none
cool good for travel.
Otaku
Sugoi! Do want!
hikkikomori
http://moonreader.wordpress.com/
i want one too!
otaku-ist
http://myanimelist.net/profile/mel
I would totally live in that to travel for a year.
Just park it next to the beach for an awesome view :D
Student
http://anime.tedfox.com/
holy crap, those guys are ingenious!
you have to give props to them for that tatami level. simply awesome!
IT-Technician, sole proprietor
http://www.chrizu.se/blog
Hahaha Thats just awesome, I would love to have that myself, would be fun going on long trips in that. ^^
College Freshmen
Interesting, but too much effort. Seems like those trucks that sell tacos and stuff. ^^;
Future civil engineer, amateur mangaka and animator
MAN!...This is super awesome...what a great home-make caravan! <3
Accounting Technician
http://alpharalpha.com
nice, i am a little confused though, did they already take their trip around japan?
Software Quality Engineer
http://brotherwormgear.blogspot.com/
The photos from their trip are posted on that website...
Scientist, unemployed.
http://fmphoenixhawk.livejournal.com
Impressive. They shouldn't sell it, though. They should put it into storage for the inevitable run from the law.
Sushi chef, and will be student.
most impressive~~!!!
Injured
Add a good window air conditioner, some insulation, and paint it white to reflect heat, now you got a super Nascar racing fan tour motorhome. Looks smaller than the gigantic motorhomes that now go to the Nascar races and looks like it would use 1/4 the fuel of them. I think those guys got something there. It just needs a roof hatch and a set of bars that raise up about an extra 10 feet with 4 seats on it with a table in the middle so they can watch the races like every one else.
Full time nerd
http://www.dreaming-artemis.com
That is freaking sweet! I mean look at the fantastic work that went into making it!
Student
That is so freaking cool, and only $5,500?! Oh come on, it's worth so much more than that. I'd happily pay twice the amount (if I had a job).
Wow! So Cool!
College Student
http://bayonette.multiply.com
Wow, too speechless for words to describe this thing.
Engineer
http://www.mechafactory.com
Fantastic, totally innovative.
Kudos to the guys who made this.
Air Transportation Journeyman
http://www.myspace.com/savefaceandbeyourself
OMG THAT IS AWESOME!!! I might have to buy when I move... we'll see how my living situation is when I do.
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
WOW, selfmade! impresive!
I would get a caravan instead ^_^
Supreme Commander of NERV Co.
Looks like a garbage truck to me ^^
Software Quality Engineer
http://brotherwormgear.blogspot.com/
AMAZING! This is SO Koool! This is nicer than many people's homes!
College Student
http://www.mikeolotaku.wordpress.com/
I think this is better than those really big RV type buses you see in the US. I would love to have one of these if there was a road connecting to all of the continents.
anime + games collector
home made and mint but man is it crazy!
Student
This is a pretty sweet car. I wonder how fast the car goes with everything on the back of it.