"Sakata Fireworks 2026" to Feature Official Akippa Parking Operations

akippa Inc. (CEO: Genki Kanaya), which operates the parking marketplace "akippa," has decided to manage the official parking for the "Sakata Fireworks 2026" event, to be held on September 12, 2026 (Sat) in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, continuing from last year.

Reservations will begin on July 1, 2026 (Wed) at 12:00 PM.

For this event, approximately 1,000 official parking spaces around the venue will be available for advance reservation and payment, ensuring a stress-free environment for attendees on the day of the event. In addition to the shuttle bus-equipped parking at "Prestige International Yamagata BPO Park," which proved highly effective in alleviating traffic congestion last year, akippa will also manage parking spaces within walking distance of the venue.

Through its parking management services at events nationwide, akippa aims to support smooth transportation, contribute to solving local traffic issues as a "problem-solving company," and connect people for real-life encounters.

"Sakata Fireworks 2026" akippa Special Site ▼

https://www.akippa.com/event/sakata-hanabi

"Sakata Fireworks" is one of the largest fireworks festivals in the region, held at the Mogami Riverbank Park in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture. With over 10,000 spectacular fireworks, including a 1.35 km aerial Niagara Falls utilizing the Mogami River's location and simultaneous firing of three 2-shaku (approx. 60cm) tama fireworks, the event attracts many visitors from within and outside the prefecture.

Previously held in August until Reiwa 5 (2023), the event's date has been changed to the second Saturday of September in Reiwa 7 (2025) and Reiwa 8 (2026) due to safety considerations, including cancellations caused by recent heavy rains and the high risk of heatstroke during August's high temperatures. Amidst the need to address new challenges such as insufficient parking around the venue and traffic congestion caused by vehicles searching for parking, akippa has been managing official parking since last year to resolve these traffic issues.

Leveraging its operational experience and know-how from managing official parking at the "Yonezawa Sengoku Fireworks Festival" and "Yonezawa Uesugi Festival" in Yamagata Prefecture (※), operations were conducted on a full reservation basis.

This year, as last year, official parking will be offered as "paid, advance reservation" and "prepaid" to alleviate congestion. This is expected to eliminate on-the-day cash transactions and entry queues, as well as ease traffic congestion by spreading out arrival times.

Last year, the operation of parking spaces with shuttle buses from "Prestige International Yamagata BPO Park" resulted in no significant traffic jams on main or surrounding roads after the fireworks display, demonstrating a major effect. This year, we will continue to operate parking with shuttle buses from the same location, aiming to create a comfortable access environment that makes it easy to avoid congestion when leaving.

In addition, akippa will also manage parking spaces within walking distance of the venue.

※Click here for press releases on past initiatives ▼:

"Sakata Fireworks" to Feature Official Parking Operations by akippa

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000532.000016205.html

"2nd Yonezawa Sengoku Fireworks Festival" to Feature Official Parking Operations by akippa

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000547.000016205.html

akippa to Operate Official Parking for Yonezawa Uesugi Festival, Easing Congestion on Opening Festival Special Parade Day

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000505.000016205.html

Official Parking Information

Reservation Start Date/Time:

July 1, 2026 (Wed) 12:00 PM onwards

Available Date:

September 12, 2026 (Sat)

Target Parking Spaces:

Approximately 1,000 spaces

For details, please check the akippa special site.

"Sakata Fireworks 2026" akippa Special Site ▼

https://www.akippa.com/event/sakata-hanabi

※Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis.

※A separate service fee will be charged for reservations.

※Official parking is not eligible for akippa Value Plus.

※Use of parking spaces with shuttle bus service is limited to purchasers of paid viewing seats. Please check the official "Sakata Fireworks" website for details.

How to Use

1. Register as an akippa member (free)

Membership registration with akippa is required for purchase. If you are already an akippa member, you can use your existing registration.

2. Reserve a parking space

Select your desired parking space from the special site below and complete the payment to purchase.

"Sakata Fireworks 2026" akippa Special Site ▼

https://www.akippa.com/event/sakata-hanabi

3. Use the parking space

Please print your parking ticket and display it on your dashboard.

Please come to the parking lot using the designated route indicated on the special site.

"Sakata Fireworks 2026" Event Overview

Name:

Sakata Fireworks 2026

Date:

September 12, 2026 (Sat)

Venue:

Mogami Riverbank Park (Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture)

Organizer:

Sakata Fireworks Executive Committee

HP:

https://sakata-hanabi.com/

What is akippa (akippa)?

https://www.akippa.com/

A parking marketplace. It allows users to easily rent out unused parking spaces, garages, or vacant lots at commercial facilities as hourly parking spaces via smartphone. Drivers can reserve and pay in advance through the web or app. Listing spaces and membership registration are free. The service secures over 55,000 parking spaces nationwide at any given time (average active listings as of December 2025), used for various purposes such as sports viewing, events, commuting, returning home, and travel. akippa has partnered with over 50 municipalities and sports clubs to address issues like traffic congestion and parking shortages. Sharing parking spaces also contributes to SDGs by utilizing idle assets and reducing exhaust gas emissions. The current cumulative membership is 5.4 million (as of the end of May 2026, excluding space owners).

akippa Inc.

Head Office: Park Tower 14F, 2-10-70 Nambanaka, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

Tokyo Office: KANDA SQUARE WeWork, 2-2-1 Kanda Nishikicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Genki Kanaya, President & CEO

Established: February 2, 2009

Capital: 2 billion yen (including capital reserve)

Business Activities: Operation of the parking marketplace "akippa"

HP: https://akippa.co.jp

【Inquiries Regarding This Press Release】

akippa Inc. Public Relations (Contact: Morimura)

Tokyo Office: KANDA SQUARE WeWork, 2-2-1 Kanda Nishikicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0054

Osaka Office: Namba Park Tower 14F, 2-10-70 Nambanaka, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 556-0011

Tel: 03-6450-6090

Email: pr@akippa.co.jp

URL: https://akippa.co.jp