Japanese convenience store chain Lawson is set to expand its 'car camping' service, allowing customers to stay overnight in their vehicles in store parking lots. This initiative aims to meet the growing demand for affordable lodging options as hotel prices soar due to an increase in inbound tourism and rising labor costs. The service is priced at 2,500 yen (approximately $23.70) per night, significantly lower than the average hotel room rate in Japan, which was 21,795 yen (about $206.63) as of May.
According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), Lawson plans to increase the number of locations offering this service from the current seven stores in Chiba Prefecture to around 70 by the end of the 2026 fiscal year (April 2026 to March 2027). Starting July 17, the service will be introduced at approximately 30 stores in Saitama, Shizuoka, and Aichi Prefectures, with plans to expand further into Kanagawa, Mie, and Gifu Prefectures.
Each vehicle is allocated two standard parking spaces, making it easy for larger vehicles like campers to park. Customers can charge portable batteries and have access to store restrooms. Waste from products purchased at Lawson will be collected by the store, and customers can dispose of a limited amount of food waste in a plastic bag provided at check-in.
The car camping spaces will adhere to safety and convenience standards set by the Japan RV Association. Customers must turn off their engines while parked, and during the summer, they are required to bring their own portable cooling devices. Check-in hours will be extended from the current 6-9 PM to 3-10 PM, and check-out will be pushed back from 9 AM to 10 AM.
Lawson began a pilot program in July of last year at seven locations near hot spring facilities with few surrounding homes. Over the past 10 months, the program recorded hundreds of uses, with average occupancy rates exceeding 90% during peak holiday periods such as Obon, which is similar to the U.S. Thanksgiving.
There have been no significant issues with noise or conflicts with nearby residents, leading Lawson to conclude that the operation is running smoothly. Given the high number of camper users, the company plans to focus on expanding to urban areas with a high concentration of camper owners, targeting locations suitable for 1-2 night stays.
According to STR, a hospitality research firm under the U.S.-based CoStar Group, the average hotel room rate in Japan rose by 6.5% in May compared to the previous year. Particularly during local events or concerts featuring popular artists, nearby hotels often reach full capacity or see a temporary spike in rates. Lawson is targeting alternative lodging needs for camper users and event attendees.
Lawson reports that over 3,000 of its approximately 14,000 stores nationwide have spacious parking lots suitable for car camping. As the service expands, the company plans to assess regional operational challenges and develop this new revenue stream utilizing underused parking facilities.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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