Latest news with #carcamping
Japan Times
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Japan Times
Lawson to let visitors use larger parking lots as paid car campsites
Major convenience store operator Lawson said Monday it will begin renting out parking spaces at its outlets to allow visitors to use them as an overnight car campsite for ¥2,500 ($17) to ¥3,000 per night amid a rising number of inbound tourists in the country. In certain Lawson outlets across the country — mostly in rural areas where they have large parking lots — visitors will be able to book spaces and pay for them online. Upon arrival, visitors can check in at the store, where they will be able to rent power cord reels as well as use the bathroom. The service will begin at six stores in Chiba Prefecture starting July 14 and will slowly be rolled out to more outlets elsewhere. The company is looking to target rural areas where there are public bath houses nearby, but not many hotels or other types of accommodation. This is the first time that a convenience store operator is opening up its parking lots for overnight stays. Typically, customers are allowed to park their vehicles at convenience store parking lots while they do their shopping. Lawson is allowing each visitor to book a block of two adjacent parking spaces at a time, which would accommodate not just regular cars but also recreational vehicles. Parking rules at the Lawson outlets will be in accordance with those for RV parks, as set by the Japan Recreational Vehicle Association (JRVA). The new service comes amid a surge in inbound tourists that is making it harder to book hotels and inns as well as making such accommodations more expensive. In 2024, there were over 650 million overnight stayers — including both domestic and foreign visitors — in the country, up 5.3% from a year earlier, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. Foreign nationals who stayed overnight jumped 38.9% year on year to hit some 137 million people in 2024. Lawson's service could come in handy when events such as live concerts are held in rural regions, where accommodation options are limited. It is not uncommon for visitors to camp out in the parking lots of convenience stores in their vehicles without permission. Lawson is looking to capitalize on this by allowing such visitors to stay for a fee. RVs are also becoming more popular in Japan. Last year saw the highest ownership of such vehicles, at 165,000, according to the JRVA. This is more than a threefold increase from 2005 when the association first started taking count. There are over 14,500 Lawson outlets across the country and while the service is only suitable for bigger stores with large parking lots, the expansion of the service would give out-of-town visitors an affordable alternative to conventional accommodations.
Top Gear
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Top Gear's Very Important Consumer Test: what's the best way to sleep in your car?
Advertisement Video £1k vs £100k car camping - is budget or luxury the best way to have a snooze in your car? 27 minutes 28 seconds From an £800 bespoke inflatable mattress made for a Chinese crossover, through a £2k camping kit for a Dacia, via roof tents for a Porsche 911 and Land Rover Defender, up to camper vans nudging six figures, these are how OEMs officially encourage sleeping in or on your car. Time to find out which is best... Advertisement - Page continues below You might like Advertisement - Page continues below Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Is it legal to sleep in your car in Alabama? Here's what overnight parking laws say
Spending the night in a car is an uncomfortable last resort, yet many people find themselves in this situation for various reasons. While state laws and local ordinances often set rules for sleeping in a car, regulations vary widely at gas stations, parking lots and residential neighborhoods. In Alabama, no state law bans you from sleeping in your car, but it is prohibited in some areas. Gulf Shores and Fairhope ordinances prohibit overnight sleeping in your vehicle between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Check with local ordinances before trying to pull over for the night. Although Alabama rest stops are designed for travelers to rest on their journeys, overnight parking and camping are prohibited. However, you may use the rest facilities for their restrooms, drinking water and picnic tables. If you're going to sleep in your car on private property, including business parking lots and garages, you must have the owner's permission to do so. If you do not have permission, you could be detained for trespassing. However, it is generally permitted to sleep in a parking lot. Some businesses and lots will have signs that warn about overnight parking, so check the signs and local ordinances for restrictions. Although drinking and driving is illegal, you can still be charged with a DUI if caught trying to 'sleep it off' in your car, even if it's not moving. Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Can I sleep in my car in Alabama? Here's what we know about state law
