Lawson, a Japanese convenience store company, is launching a car camping (overnight stays in vehicles) service using its store parking lots. Lawson expects that there will be demand from travelers who want to ease the burden of soaring accommodation costs amid the increase in inbound tourists to Japan.

On July 6, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) reported that Lawson will offer car camping facilities in the parking lots of six stores in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, starting 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 will be allocated per vehicle, making it easy for large vehicles, including camper vans, to use the service.

Lawson announced that it will offer car camping facilities in the parking lots of six stores in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, starting this month. The price is affordable, ranging from 2,500 to 3,000 yen per night (approximately 24,000 to 28,000 won).

Guests can use electricity and the restrooms inside the store. Trash from products purchased at Lawson will be collected at the store, and one bag for disposing of food waste will also be provided.

Guests can use electricity and the restrooms inside the store. Trash from products purchased at Lawson will be collected at the store, and one bag for disposing of food waste will also be provided. Lawson decided to legitimize car camping and create a new source of revenue after seeing an increase in visitors engaging in unauthorized car camping or taking naps in convenience store parking lots.

To use the service, guests must first make an online reservation and prepay. After completing a simple check-in process, they can use the facilities. Check-in is available after 6:00 p.m., and check-out is until 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 spacious enough to accommodate car camping.

Nikkei analyzed that, "When popular artists hold concerts in rural areas, nearby accommodations are often fully booked," and predicted that "the service will be popular among young people looking to save on travel expenses, as well as families traveling with pets."