akippa to Manage Official Parking for Awa Odori 2026, Adds Advance Reservations for Tour Buses
akippa Inc., operator of the parking reservation service "akippa," announced it will manage the official parking for the Awa Odori 2026 festival, held in Tokushima City in August 2026. Building on its experience managing general vehicle parking since 2024, the company will introduce a new advance reservation system for tour buses starting in 2026. This initiative aims to streamline management, offer online payment options, accommodate complex drop-off/pick-up schedules, and alleviate local traffic congestion. Reservations for tour bus parking will open on May 18.
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- 📰 Published: May 18, 2026 at 19:00
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akippa Inc., operator of the parking marketplace "akippa" and led by CEO Genki Kanaya, has been selected to manage the official parking for the "Awa Odori 2026" festival, scheduled to take place from Wednesday, August 12 to Saturday, August 15, 2026, in Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture. Building on its successful management of official parking for the general public since 2024, akippa will expand its services in 2026 to include advance reservations for tour buses.
By utilizing akippa's system, the organizers aim to reduce administrative workload, enable online payments, and adapt to complex bus boarding and alighting schedules, contributing to smoother operations and reduced congestion in the surrounding areas. Reservations for tour bus parking will commence at 10:00 AM on Monday, May 18, 2026, via a dedicated website. Reservations for the general public are scheduled to open on Wednesday, July 1.
The Awa Odori, a traditional event representing Tokushima Prefecture, attracts numerous visitors annually. Since 2024, akippa has been responsible for the festival's official public parking, mitigating traffic queues and ensuring smooth access through its pre-booking system, and has maintained stable operations since.
Separately, festival organizers have been working to improve traffic flow, establishing designated drop-off/pick-up zones for tour buses and consolidating shuttle bus services since 2025. For 2026, it was decided that akippa, with its proven track record, would also manage the system for tour buses.
Benefits of akippa's involvement include:
- Reduced management workload through a systematized reservation and payment process.
- Introduction of online booking and payment.
- Adaptation to complex time slots for tour bus drop-offs and pick-ups.
akippa staff will be on-site to provide support, ensuring reliable and smooth guidance for drivers. akippa aims to continue collaborating with local communities to solve traffic and parking issues as a "problem-solving company."
■ Official Tour Bus Parking Reservation Details
- Reservation Start: May 18, 2026 (Mon) at 10:00 AM
- Event Dates: August 12-15, 2026 (Wed-Sat). Separate booking required for each day.
- Parking Locations and Types:
- Bus Parking (Day Trip): Tokugin Tomoni Arena (Municipal Gymnasium) and the former Cultural Center site.
- +Overnight Parking Pack: Available at the former Cultural Center site. An additional pack must be purchased for overnight stays.
- Drop-off/Pick-up Only: Awa Odori Kaikan. Drop-off is limited to 5:00 PM-7:00 PM. Pick-up time must be selected from three slots: 7:00 PM-9:00 PM, 9:00 PM-11:00 PM, or 11:00 PM-9:00 AM (next day).
■ How to Use
1. Register for a free akippa membership.
2. Select your desired parking type and date on the dedicated reservation site and complete the payment.
3. On the event day, follow the designated time and route, and adhere to on-site staff instructions.
■ Awa Odori 2026 Overview
- Dates: August 12-15, 2026
- Location: Vicinity of Tokushima Station, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture
- Organizer: Awa Odori Future Connection Executive Committee Secretariat
- Official Website: https://www.awaodorimirai.com/
By utilizing akippa's system, the organizers aim to reduce administrative workload, enable online payments, and adapt to complex bus boarding and alighting schedules, contributing to smoother operations and reduced congestion in the surrounding areas. Reservations for tour bus parking will commence at 10:00 AM on Monday, May 18, 2026, via a dedicated website. Reservations for the general public are scheduled to open on Wednesday, July 1.
The Awa Odori, a traditional event representing Tokushima Prefecture, attracts numerous visitors annually. Since 2024, akippa has been responsible for the festival's official public parking, mitigating traffic queues and ensuring smooth access through its pre-booking system, and has maintained stable operations since.
Separately, festival organizers have been working to improve traffic flow, establishing designated drop-off/pick-up zones for tour buses and consolidating shuttle bus services since 2025. For 2026, it was decided that akippa, with its proven track record, would also manage the system for tour buses.
Benefits of akippa's involvement include:
- Reduced management workload through a systematized reservation and payment process.
- Introduction of online booking and payment.
- Adaptation to complex time slots for tour bus drop-offs and pick-ups.
akippa staff will be on-site to provide support, ensuring reliable and smooth guidance for drivers. akippa aims to continue collaborating with local communities to solve traffic and parking issues as a "problem-solving company."
■ Official Tour Bus Parking Reservation Details
- Reservation Start: May 18, 2026 (Mon) at 10:00 AM
- Event Dates: August 12-15, 2026 (Wed-Sat). Separate booking required for each day.
- Parking Locations and Types:
- Bus Parking (Day Trip): Tokugin Tomoni Arena (Municipal Gymnasium) and the former Cultural Center site.
- +Overnight Parking Pack: Available at the former Cultural Center site. An additional pack must be purchased for overnight stays.
- Drop-off/Pick-up Only: Awa Odori Kaikan. Drop-off is limited to 5:00 PM-7:00 PM. Pick-up time must be selected from three slots: 7:00 PM-9:00 PM, 9:00 PM-11:00 PM, or 11:00 PM-9:00 AM (next day).
■ How to Use
1. Register for a free akippa membership.
2. Select your desired parking type and date on the dedicated reservation site and complete the payment.
3. On the event day, follow the designated time and route, and adhere to on-site staff instructions.
■ Awa Odori 2026 Overview
- Dates: August 12-15, 2026
- Location: Vicinity of Tokushima Station, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture
- Organizer: Awa Odori Future Connection Executive Committee Secretariat
- Official Website: https://www.awaodorimirai.com/