#Japan #Toyama #Times Parking #Times 24 #Owara Kaze no Bon

Enhancing Access: Times Parking Caravan at the Owara Kaze no Bon Festival

The Owara Kaze no Bon Festival, held annually in Yao Town, Toyama Prefecture from September 1st to 3rd, is a cherished tradition with nearly 300 years of history. This festival features dancers donning woven hats, gracefully moving through the town while accompanied by the sounds of shamisen and kokyu. Attended by over 200,000 visitors from across the nation each year, it has become a significant event that showcases the rich cultural heritage of Japan.

This year, the Owara Kaze no Bon event management committee, alongside Times 24 Co., Ltd., will implement an innovative parking solution for festival-goers. From September 1 to 3, 2026, the Times Parking Caravan service will be utilized for the management of temporary parking facilities. This decision comes in response to common issues faced in the past, such as traffic congestion caused by vehicles waiting to enter the parking lot and the challenges associated with staffing the parking operations.

The Times Parking Caravan is a mobile parking management service designed specifically for temporary event parking needs. Equipped with cashless payment machines, vehicle license plate recognition cameras, and power supplies, the caravan can be dispatched to designated parking areas to operate efficiently—even in short timeframes. This allows for streamlined entry and exit processes for parking users, significantly minimizing wait times.

By utilizing a camera-based and cashless pre-payment model, the operational demands on personnel are reduced. Moreover, the data gathered through license plate recognition—such as vehicle entry and exit trends, stay durations, and visitor origins—will be analyzed to inform planning and improve services for subsequent years. This forward-thinking approach aims to enhance attendee experiences by reducing delays, ultimately making access to the festival more convenient.

The collaboration between the Owara Kaze no Bon event committee and Times 24 is not only about facilitating easier access for attendees; it is also focused on creating a sustainable event management framework. By optimizing parking operations, both organizations aim to build a system that can adapt to the growing number of visitors while preserving the festival's charm.

Parking Information

• - Location: Yao Sports Arena Parking (101 Iida, Yao Town, Toyama Prefecture)
• - Operating Dates: September 1 (Tuesday) - September 3 (Thursday), 2026
• - Operating Hours: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
• - Parking Capacity: 441 vehicles
• - Parking Fee: 3,000 yen per day

In conclusion, the Times Parking Caravan represents a significant advancement in how events like the Owara Kaze no Bon can effectively manage large crowds while maintaining a high standard of service. This well-organized initiative sets a promising precedent for sustainable event management in the future.