Lawson expands paid car-camping services across Japan

Lawson is expanding paid car-camping services in its store parking lots, charging ¥2,500 per night ^[1].

The initiative responds to a growing trend of vehicle-based travel driven by rising hotel and accommodation prices ^[6]. As traditional lodging becomes more expensive, travelers are seeking affordable alternatives that allow them to maintain mobility while reducing costs.

The company announced the expansion on July 6 ^[2]. Lawson aims to establish 70 car-camping locations by fiscal 2026 ^[5]. This follows a pilot rollout that began on July 14, 2026, with six sites located on the southern Bōsō Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture [2, 7].

Demand for these services is high during peak travel seasons. Occupancy rates for such facilities exceeded 90% during Golden Week ^[2]. The shift is supported by automotive trends, as the number of cars capable of sleeping inside has increased 3.5 times compared with 20 years ago ^[2]. This growing capability has led to the addition of approximately 100 new parking lots with car-camping facilities each year ^[2].

For some travelers, the appeal is both financial and experiential. "Tourism and sleeping in the car. This time, we bought a new car and it is our first time sleeping in it," said a member of the Miyagawa family ^[3].

While commercial sites like Lawson provide a legal framework for overnight stays, the practice remains contentious in other areas. Some reports indicate that staying overnight at roadside stations, known as michi-no-eki, may be illegal and is considered a prohibited activity ^[8]. However, other accounts suggest some travelers continue to use these public lots without issue ^[4].