Irashaimase! Lawson flags Hirafu entrance

Lawson is the second biggest convenience store chain in Japan after 7-Eleven, while Seciomart actually reigns supreme in Hokkaido where it was established in 1971 - there are now 923 Seicomarts on the island, compared to just 99 on Honshu (the main island).

There are 40,000 convenience stores in Japan.

The lack of competition in Hirafu has until now ensured Seicomart had a strangle hold on the lucrative Niseko ski-tourist grocery market – it’s not uncommon to see three lines of 10 people deep when there’s snow on the ground.

Lawson is likely to steal a fair bit of competition and will hopefully ensure shorter lines at both shops.

News of Lawson’s impending arrival surfaced several months ago, and about two weeks ago a steel frame went up in about a day; yesterday the signage went up and it’s set to open on December 1.

Now all Hirafu needs is a 7-Eleven which would automatically come complete with an international ATM.

click images to enlarge

lawson eyeballs seciomart (right) across the main street

top spot, shame there's no windows along the back wall