A concept camper van from Japan, the Camakuruma features a custom interior with walls that look like stacked blocks of ice, so that occupants can pretend that they are sleeping in an igloo. There’s more to the tongue-twister name, which is in fact a portmanteau of the Japanese words for igloo (kamakura) and car (kuruma).
A joint venture between the Hoshino Resort Alz Bandai, Camping Car Co., and the Toyota Development and Prototype Department, the Camakuruma. The Robinson 771 compact camper is the basis upon which the Camakuruma is built, itself using the venerable Toyota Quantum as its starting point. While the vehicle may look like a pretty normal camper van on the outside, the inside is where things are really…cool.
Hoshino Resort Alz Bandai is a ski resort located at the foot of Mount Bandai. The intention is for Camakuruma to let people experience the snow, even while they are resting inside of it. This is achieved by means of Toyota’s 2.5D printing technology applying a snow-like texture to the walls, resembling stacked blocks of ice.
The rest of the interior styling is handled by the Nippon Design Center and blends in well with the snowy theme. Barring tiles near the sink and some pillows, the cabin is rather white, as you’d expect from something snow-themed. The double-bed runs wall to wall and features an Escargot camping mat beneath, just in case a snowy sleepover is on the cards.
Large windows allow a lot of light into the cabin, too, as does the window in the alcove above the cockpit. There isn’t a bathroom or kitchenette, so ablutions are limited to the outdoors, however occupants do have access to a sink. There is a wall-mounted TV, too, for those who wish to gaze into the abyss while on their camping holiday.
While just a concept, Hoshino Resort Alz Bandai is using the Camakuruma to promote its camper rental program for those who may be interested in a slightly moor outdoorsy experience while on their skiing holiday. As part of the camper rental program, customers are able to rent normal camper vans, sans snowy theme to position themselves and their families just a little closer to nature.
