"Car Camping in Parking Lots for 30,000 Won per Night"… Convenience Store Giant Launches Lodging Service

Lawson Launches Car Camping Service in Japan
Affordable Rates at 2,500 to 3,000 Yen Per Night
Electricity and Restroom Access Included

Japanese convenience store company Lawson is launching a car camping (overnight stays in vehicles) service using its store parking lots. Lawson expects that there will be demand from travelers looking to reduce their lodging expenses amid soaring accommodation prices driven by an increase in inbound tourists to Japan.

On July 6, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) reported that Lawson will begin offering car camping facilities at the parking lots of six stores in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, later this month. The price is affordable, ranging from 2,500 to 3,000 yen per night (approximately 24,000 to 28,000 won). Two parking spaces per vehicle will be made available, making it easy for large vehicles, including camper vans, to use the service.

A Lawson convenience store in Japan. Lawson official website

Guests will have access to electricity and the in-store restrooms. Trash from products purchased at Lawson will be collected at the store, and one bag for disposing of food waste will also be provided. As the number of visitors engaging in unauthorized car camping or napping at convenience stores has increased, Lawson decided to legitimize car camping and create a new source of revenue.

To use the service, customers must first make an online reservation and prepay. After completing a simple check-in process, they can use the facility. Check-in is available after 6:00 p.m., and check-out is by 9:00 a.m. the following day. Lawson operates approximately 14,000 stores across Japan. It is reported that more than 3,000 stores have parking lots large enough to accommodate car camping.

Nikkei analyzed, "When popular artists hold concerts in rural areas, nearby accommodations can become fully booked," adding, "The service is likely to be used by young people looking to save on travel expenses, as well as families traveling with pets."