#Japan #DMM.com #Vacan #Kawazu #Kawazu Festival

Transforming Visitor Experience: AI-Driven Parking Solutions at the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, an iconic event in the Izu Peninsula, takes place from early February to early March each year. It attracts around 500,000 to 600,000 visitors looking to enjoy the stunning scenery formed by the early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms and rapeseed flowers. However, during peak bloom times, the influx of cars can lead to significant congestion and confusion regarding parking availability.

To address these challenges and enhance visitor satisfaction, VACAN, a Tokyo-based company specializing in AI-driven services, has partnered with DMM.com to implement a real-time parking situation visualization project during the festival. From February 7 to March 8, 2026, smart AI cameras will be deployed around the main parking areas to monitor and relay real-time availability information.

Background of the Initiative

With the large number of visitors each year, managing parking effectively has become a pressing concern. Without real-time knowledge of parking conditions, visitors often face long waits and frustration upon arrival. Recognizing this problem, VACAN's platform will play a critical role in alleviating congestion and making the festival more enjoyable for attendees.

Implementation Details

The project will focus on five primary parking lots around the festival venue, together accommodating about 300 vehicles. Each location will be equipped with AI cameras that can detect congestion levels, which will then be communicated to a dedicated webpage for visitors to access. On top of this, an additional 20 parking areas will also provide information on congestion, covering a total of over 1,000 spaces in the vicinity.

Visitors can use their smartphones or PCs to check the parking availability live on a map, allowing them to make informed decisions on their next steps. This system aims to reduce road congestion and facilitate smoother use of parking facilities, ultimately optimizing traffic flow around the venue.

Parking Areas Covered

• - Sasahara #2 Parking Lot: approx. 40 spaces
• - Sasahara #7 Parking Lot: approx. 64 spaces
• - Sasahara #8 Parking Lot: approx. 44 spaces
• - Kawazu Carnation Exhibition Parking Lot: approx. 92 spaces
• - Branch #12 Parking Lot: approx. 59 spaces

In addition to the five highlighted lots, traffic updates from 20 other parking facilities will be available through manual updates.

Key Project URL: Kawazu Parking Situation
Collaborating Entities: Kawazu Town, DMM.com, VACAN

About the 36th Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

• - Dates: February 7 (Saturday) - March 8 (Sunday), 2026
• - Nighttime Light Up: 18:00 - 21:00
• - Location: Along the Kawazu River in Kawazu Town, Shizuoka Prefecture
• - Festival URL: Kawazu Sakura

Enhancing Regional Development through Collaboration

This initiative is part of a broader regional revitalization effort led by DMM.com, which has associated itself with the local government to promote digital solutions. Starting in April 2023, a DMM employee has been allocated to Kawazu Town, working on ICT-driven projects aimed at enhancing local community engagement and economic activity.

About VACAN

Founded in June 2016, VACAN is guided by the mission to use technology compassionately to connect people and spaces. It is recognized as a J-Startup 2019 company, offering services in crowd management and enhancing experiences through strategic digital solutions. The organization focuses on smart urban updates, supporting the evolution of community spaces and lifestyles, thus making local interactions more seamless and enjoyable.

By harnessing the power of AI and big data, the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival 2026 will set a new standard for visitor engagement, parking efficiency, and overall festival enjoyment and retention.