21 Days of Van Life in Japan (EXTREME WINTER ROAD TRIP)

Along the way, we encountered snow monkeys soaking in hot springs, explored remote snow-covered mountain roads, and even suspected a wild bear encounter! Heading further north, we reached the snowiest city in the world, where the challenges of vanlife in winter tested us like never before. Yet, through the ice, storms, and awe-inspiring landscapes, we completed an unforgettable 21-day loop back to Tokyo.

This isn’t just a road trip—it’s a test of endurance, adventure, and the magic of winter vanlife. Grab a hot drink, buckle up, and join us for one of the most epic vanlife road trips we’ve ever tackled in Japan’s frozen wilderness.

⤈JOIN OUR PATREON⤈

⤈OUR MERCH SHOP ⤈

⤈SUPPORT US⤈

⤈ VIDEO CHAPTERS ⤈
0:00 – 1:05 - Intro
1:05 – 16:30 – Vanlife Begins
16:30 – 18:05 – Rosetta Stone
18:05 – 29:20 – Vanlife Admin
29:20 – 31:50 – Winter Wonderland
31:50 – 35:30 – Snow Monkeys
35:30 - 41:46 – Kiyutso Gorge
41:46 – 50:48 – Snow Day!
50:48 – 57:20 – Exploring Japan
57:20 – 1:04:00 – Rainy Days In
1:04:00 - 1:10:00 – Snowy Samurai & Bridge
1:10:00 - 1:14:00 – Extreme Weather Conditions
1:14:00 - 1:19:00 – Is that a bear!?
1:19:00 - 1:29:00 – Lamp Onsen
1:29:00 - 1:33:30 – Snowiest City in the World
1:33:30 - 1:39:12 – The Journey Back

⤈ WHO WE ARE ⤈

We are Philly and Keely and we live full time in our tiny home on wheels Martha. After building our DIY home in a Citroen Relay camper we spent a year living on the streets of London before quitting our jobs only to be met with lockdown. Then we took our van further than she had ever been before to the very beautiful Turkey. Enroute, we stopped off in Spain for a few weeks where we experienced every van lifer’s worst nightmare, we were robbed and they stole all valuables in our van. But then we were back on our feet, fully MOT’d and back on the road through Europe before we experienced another vanlife nightmare... our van caught fire!! After the trauma of that we had a massive change of plan and made our way to Japan. We enjoyed a three-month Japanese Adventure and then got back to Martha for some new European Adventures. After an incredible three-month Scottish road trip, we packed up our van and headed to Australia and built a new van and had an epic six-month adventure! deep into the outback. Now we are back in Martha!

#VanlifeJapan #WinterRoadTrip #JapaneseAlps #ExtremeVanlife #SnowMonkeysJapan #SnowiestCityInTheWorld #AdventureTravel #VanlifeAdventures #ExploreJapan #traveldocumentary

[wiggy]

Philly and Keely, i ve only been following you for about a year, since my other half died. your videos bring me distraction and warmth to my heart. it has been wonderful to watch this video of yours from a few years ago, such a wonderful adventure. love to you both and to everybody.

[StarBurst-gz]

I'm crying! So happy for you both, and thank you for sharing your wonderful experience at the Olsen! Watching your happy love gives me hope for humanity❤

[clairemcateer]

It's a testament to how good your channel is when I can happily watch the content more than once. Fab ❤

[mccleslie]

I think Philly's hat is violet blue LOL. If you ever had the big box of Crayola crayons, then you know! Thank you for the movie, you guys!! Such a fun adventure!

[efortunywhitton]

The snow, the monkeys, the springs, the nature: gorgeous!! ❤

[marshadescoteaux-holland]

You guys are great watching your videos makes my day. All the beautiful places you take us is wonderful ♥️♥️♥️

[examinerian]

🎶"Unexpected Compilation of the 🎶

A welcome 'return' to Japan whith you two!
Speaking of returns to Japan, that's what #1 son James will be doing in late August or so, for his Uni course year abroad, based in Hiroshima.

[sallydingle]

Oh my goodness guys... that was just the most amazing trip 😃... I couldn't take my eyes away for the whole video 🙏😍😍😍. I will probably never go to Japan but I feel I have experienced it through your eyes 🇯🇵🥰... fantastic 🤗💖😘

[stellaswancounselling]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️❤️❤️it’s blue. Blooming brilliant guys

[wendee]

Love this vid guys. Memory lane or not its always good to watch your vids that are so filled with delight and wonder. Beenie is Blue 😊

[tylersaunders]

This trip is how we discovered you on YouTube and we did our own van life in Japan trip last year and saw the Sakura! So nice to watch this back again! I’ve been watching you since - please go back!

[michelle]

On camera the hat appears blue, what a magical trip to Japan Monkey Forrest looks great, the van is so cute, scenery is stunning thanks for sharing your lives 😘🇦🇺

[lisawanderess]

This was one of my all time favourite adventures of yours. I mean how many other vanlifers do Japan in the middle of winter going as north as they can in all that snow AND then do the Australian outback in the height of summer when even us locals wouldn’t do that! 😂
I guess it’s one way of making sure you don’t have to deal with overcrowded places in the peak of tourist season and have plenty of time to yourselves! 😂
Philly and Keely “bringing the EXTREME to the vanlife scene”. Love you guys! ❤

[TheCatlady]

Oh! totally unexpected treat. Thanks guys.

oh bthw Blue. Safe travels xx

[Jennyrae]

Definitely BLUE hat!!! I am loving the video so far.

[Flint-I]

Quality editing guys Loved it, I think the monkey's had a great time also 🤫lots of love and thank you 🥰🥰 xx

[Loveshislanes]

So timely... only this week I thought to myself i should rewatch your Japan series
Im buzzing for America guys

[lesley-annecarle]

Philly & Keely
finally reaching
the furthest point
of Northern Japan travelling through heavy snow, daily and finally reaching
the Northern furthest point, to see the Japanese most northern point,
to see, the
It was very, very incredible Amazing achievement
Travelling in, "Alen"
the Japanese hired van, was just so brilliant.
Glad you both enjoyed many exhilarating tranquil relaxing Japanese natural
hot baths travelling along your winter travel adventure in winter wonderland magical beauty of Japan.

[robertengland]

I have loved watching this vid. You showed the parts of Japan that doesn't get the hype it deserves. Amazing watch and I truly love watching your adventures. Stunning views and now I'll have the phrase "my groin is so warm its melting the snow". I'll take that as a T-Shirt. Can't wait for the next one.

[NuSyns]

Thank you for going back and creating this. Love it.❤