You can sleep overnight at a Japanese convenience store now

In response to rising accommodation costs and the growing popularity of flexible travel styles, Lawson announced a new service: From July 14, 2025, select Lawson stores began offering paid overnight car campgrounds for parking lots.

The initiative targets people who are practicing more and more shachuhaku – Sleep in a vehicle while traveling. Traditional accommodation is becoming increasingly crowded and expensive due to inbound tourism, so more and more travelers are turning to RVS and campervans or just sleeping in cars. However, this has led to concerns about etiquette in common seating areas, michi-no-eki (Roadside Stations), such as noise, garbage, idle engines and unauthorized camping.

To address these issues and provide a more structured solution, Lawson worked with the Japan RV Association to officially recognize “RV Parks” in its six stores in Chiba Prefecture, including locations in Minamiboso, Kamogawa, Kamogawa, Onjuku, Onjuku, Onjuku, Ichinomiya and Futtsu. These pilot sites will run as a proof of concept program until June 2026 and may be extended to other regions based on demand and success.

Car-Bini: What can travelers expect

Parking costs 2,500 yen to 3,000 yen per night, and each plot consists of two parking spaces. Guests may use the lot from 6:00 to 9:00 am the next morning, and the facilities included during the stay include: access to the shop restroom, power charged via the extension cable and a garbage bag for garbage disposal. Online booking and prepayment are required to pass RV Park Websiteduring the trial period, each store will have about one car.

Unlike traditional curbside stations that are usually closed at night, Lawson Store is open 24/7 – a constant opportunity to get food, drinks, bathrooms and even ice cream. In rural areas, the parking lot is very spacious, making it perfect for overnight stays.

Although rules vary by location, parking spaces in Combini are primarily used to pay customers in a short period of time. Parking is considered illegal for prolonged periods, and the new plan will reassure travelers throughout the night. Lawson’s move also represents a strategic use of underutilized parking spaces during off-peak hours. According to the company, many customers have already taken naps in the stores, but policies vary from location to location. By formalizing the experience into a bookable RV park location, Lawson hopes to meet growing demand while maintaining order.

The future of convenient parking

The new product adds to the nationwide push by the Japan RV Association, which has been promoting designated RV parks to address Shachuhaku’s popularity and challenges. Although Japan currently has fewer than 800 such facilities, such partnerships with Lawson could significantly expand traveler choices.

If the pilot program is successful, Lawson plans to expand services nationwide. Travelers and RV users welcome the news and are increasingly interested in seeing other convenience store chains join the campaign to provide safe, convenient and affordable all-night parking.

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