ElaineIf you’ve ever travelled in Japan, you’ll know that a konbini (Japanese convenience store) is the backbone of everyday life. Whether it’s a steaming cup of coffee before your train ride, a quick bento lunch on the go, or a midnight ice cream run, shops like Lawson, FamilyMart and 7-Eleven are necessary. But Lawson has just raised the bar. Since July 2025, you can actually sleep overnight at selected Lawson stores.
It might sound quirky, but this initiative is very practical. It’s designed to meet the needs of a new wave of road-trippers in Japan, where travelling by RV or camper van, and sleeping in your vehicle, known as shachuhaku, is becoming increasingly popular as hotels grow pricier and harder to book.
Also read: 7 Underrated Goodies to Try at Japanese Convenience Stores
Why Lawson is offering overnight stays
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Rising inbound tourism has put pressure on Japan’s accommodation scene. Hotels and traditional inns are more expensive than ever. Roadside stops and public rest areas are facing challenges with overcrowding and poor etiquette, from noisy engines to piles of rubbish. By opening up its car parks to overnight guests, Lawson offers a structured and safe solution while also making smart use of spaces that usually sit empty at night.
This is not a solo effort either. Lawson has partnered with the Japan RV Association to create officially recognised “RV Parks” at six trial locations in Chiba Prefecture, including Minamiboso, Kamogawa, Onjuku, Ichinomiya and Futtsu. The programme will run until June 2026, with the potential to expand nationwide if it proves successful.
What you would need to stay
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To use Lawson’s new overnight scheme, you’ll need to be travelling in an RV or camper van that is equipped for sleeping. Ordinary cars are not part of the programme, as the initiative is designed for proper vehicle-based stays. You’ll also need to make a booking in advance through the RV Park website and pay ahead to secure your space.
During the trial period, each Lawson store has room for only one vehicle per night. Availability is limited, so if you’re planning a road trip during busy travel seasons, reserving early is essential.
What’s included in your stay
A night at Lawson doesn’t come with tatami mats, but it does provide the essentials you need for a comfortable stopover in your RV or camper van. For a nightly fee of between ¥2,500 and ¥3,000 (~S$21.74-S$26.09), you can park in a designated spot from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m. the following morning. Guests have access to the store’s restrooms, electricity for charging devices, and disposal of one bag of rubbish.
The real advantage, though, is that Lawson stores are open 24 hours a day. You’ll always have food, drinks, and snacks just a few steps away from your parking spot. Unlike roadside stations, which typically shut down overnight, konbinis never sleep.
How to stay
Once your reservation is confirmed, you simply drive to the participating Lawson between 6.00 pm and 9,00 am and check in with your booking. From there, you can make yourself comfortable, grab dinner or late-night snacks from the store, and settle in for the evening. By 9:00 a.m. the following day, you’ll need to vacate the spot so the car park can return to its usual daytime use.
The future of konbini camping
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Also read: 9 Unique Food Factories and Attractions to Visit in Japan
Spending the night at a Lawson may not be luxurious, but it offers safety, convenience, and round-the-clock access to snacks. It’s a new kind of stay that reflects the changing ways people travel in Japan. And who knows? In the near future, konbini camping could become just as much a part of the road trip experience as the konbini run itself.
Featured image credit (R): Virrage Images via Canva Pro
