Convenience store company Lawson will launch a car camping service amid a surge in hotel accommodation costs due to the increasing number of tourists visiting Japan. The plan is to open the parking lot so that tourists can use it at a low price instead of high accommodation costs.
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported on Wednesday that Lawson will launch a pilot project for car camping at six stores in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture this month. The new project will then be expanded to include stores in provincial areas or suburbs where there are few private houses. Prices range from 2,500 yen to 3,000 yen per night.
Guests can use electricity that can charge portable batteries and restrooms in the store. Goods purchased at Lawson will be collected at the store, and one bag will be provided to throw away food waste. Two parking lots will be opened per vehicle, allowing large cars such as camping cars to be used.
To use the car camping service, you need to make a reservation and pay online in advance. When you arrive at the store, you can use it after completing simple procedures at the store. Check-in is after 6 p.m. and check-out is until 9 a.m. the next day.
According to the Japan Tourism Organization, the total number of guests last year was 659.06 million, up 7% from the previous year. This is an 11% increase compared to 2019, before the COVID-19 epidemic. Accommodation costs in Japan are rising as the number of foreign tourists has increased thanks to the recent low yen.
Lawson has about 14,000 stores in Japan. Of these, some 3,000 stores are equipped with large enough parking lots to accommodate cars. “There have been a lot of customers who have been car-gabbing or taking naps at convenience stores without permission,” the Nikkei said. “There will also be demand for young people who want to save money on lodging or family customers with their pets.”
EJ SONG
US ASIA JOURNAL
