3.7
ParkAppsHub score
akippa
akippa Inc.
Marketplace · Free app, pay-per-use parking fees
Best for: Drivers in major Japanese cities needing a guaranteed, prepaid parking spot near stations, airports, or attractions
500K+
Downloads
1
Country
Asia-Pacific
AndroidiOSWeb
Coverage across major Japanese cities
About this app
akippa turns unused private parking space (home driveways, empty lots, building garages) into bookable spots across Japan. Users search a map for a destination, pick an available time slot ranging from an hour to multiple days, and pay upfront through the app with a credit card, so there is no in-person cash exchange or ticket machine at pickup. Spot owners list their space for free and set their own price, with akippa taking a commission. The app is popular around train stations, stadiums, airports, and tourist sites such as Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan, where nearby coin parking fills up fast. A paid membership tier, Value Plus, gives subscribers a standing discount on every booking plus earlier access to newly listed spots. Because inventory depends entirely on what individual owners choose to list, coverage is dense in major metro areas but thin or nonexistent in rural parts of the country.
- Map search for privately owned parking spots near a destination
- Hourly, daily, or multi-day advance reservations
- In-app payment by credit card, no on-site cash or ticket machine
- Value Plus membership for a recurring discount on bookings
- Owner-side listing tools to rent out unused driveways and lots for income
- Coverage near stations, airports, stadiums, and tourist attractions
Pricing & fees
Free app, pay-per-use parking fees
- App is free to download; users pay per booking based on the owner-set price of each spot
- Value Plus membership gives a constant discount (marketed as around 10% off) on all parking fees
- Owners list spots for free and earn a share of booking revenue, with akippa taking a commission
Accepted payment methods
Credit cardIn-app payment
Ratings & scores
Editorial score set by the ParkAppsHub team using our five-criteria grid — see how we rate. Store ratings shown for reference.
What users say
▲ Most praised
- Cheaper and more reliable than searching for coin parking near busy stations
- Simple, cashless booking flow
- Good way for property owners to earn passive income from unused space
▼ Common complaints
- Inconsistent coverage outside major cities
- Unclear or hard-to-find access instructions at some private spots
- Rigid cancellation/no-show fee policies
Summarised from recent user reviews on Google Play, the App Store and consumer platforms. Themes, not verbatim quotes.
Pros & cons
What we like
- Guarantees a reserved spot instead of circling for coin parking near busy venues
- Often cheaper than nearby commercial lots, especially with Value Plus
- Cashless, contactless booking and payment flow
- Lets private owners monetize empty driveways and lots
What could improve
- Spot availability depends entirely on individual owners, so coverage is inconsistent outside big cities
- Users report access instructions (gate codes, exact space markers) are sometimes unclear at unmanned residential spots
- Cancellation and no-show fee policies have drawn complaints for being rigid
How to use akippa
- Download the app and create an account with email or social login
- Search the map for parking near your destination and date/time
- Compare listed spots by price, distance, and photos, then reserve and pay in-app
- Follow the listing's access instructions (gate code, marked space number) on arrival
- Optionally join Value Plus for a standing discount on future bookings
Editor’s tips
- Book popular spots near stadiums or theme parks well in advance since private inventory sells out fast on event days
- Read the listing's access notes carefully before arrival, since many spots are unmanned driveways with specific entry instructions
- Consider Value Plus if you park frequently, as the discount compounds across regular bookings
- Double-check cancellation windows before booking, since fee policies for late changes are strict
Editor’s verdict
akippa fills a real gap in Japan's dense cities: guaranteed, prepaid parking near stations and attractions where coin lots vanish fast. The core loop of searching a map and locking in a slot works smoothly, and pricing frequently undercuts commercial lots. Its biggest structural weakness is that it is a marketplace, not a managed network, so quality and availability swing with whichever private owners happen to list nearby, and instructions for unmanned residential spots are not always clear. It's a strong option in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka, but reviewers outside major metro areas find little or no inventory. Reliability complaints cluster around cancellation and no-show fee handling rather than the core booking flow. Overall a useful, city-focused utility rather than a nationwide parking solution.
— The ParkAppsHub editorial team · 2026-08-06
How it compares
vs Times Parking (Times Club)
Times operates its own staffed and automated lot network with consistent nationwide signage, while akippa relies on a patchwork of private owner listings that vary in quality and availability.
vs SpotHero (US)
Both are reservation marketplaces for existing parking capacity, but SpotHero focuses on commercial garages in US cities while akippa's inventory leans heavily on private residential and small-lot spaces in Japan.
Frequently asked questions
Is akippa available outside Japan?
No, akippa only operates within Japan, primarily concentrated in major metro areas and tourist regions.
Do I need cash at the parking spot?
No, all payment happens in the app in advance; most spots are unmanned with no on-site payment machine.
Can I rent out my own driveway on akippa?
Yes, akippa lets private owners list unused space for free and earn a share of each booking.
What is Value Plus?
It's a paid membership that gives a recurring discount on every parking reservation plus earlier access to new listings.
Does akippa guarantee a spot will be available anywhere?
No, inventory depends on what private owners have listed nearby, so coverage varies a lot by neighborhood.
About the developer
akippa Inc. is a Japanese mobility-tech company headquartered in Osaka that built its business around turning idle private parking space into on-demand bookable inventory. Founded in the late 2000s, the company grew into one of Japan's best-known parking marketplaces and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's Growth Market. It has since expanded into related services such as workspace and storage rental using similar idle-asset marketplace logic.
Additional information
Developer
akippa Inc.
Founded
2009
Headquarters
Osaka, Japan
Ownership
Publicly listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market (akippa Inc.)
Category
Marketplace
Price
Free app, pay-per-use parking fees
Coverage
Coverage across major Japanese cities
Downloads
500K+
Languages
Japanese
Reviewed
2026-08-06
Where it works
Coverage across major Japanese cities — including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Kyoto, Yokohama.
Japan
Similar apps
More in Asia-Pacific →
PayByPhone
Park+
Wilson Parking
Flexi Parking
Independent review. ParkAppsHub is not affiliated with akippa Inc.. App name, logo and screenshots belong to their owners and are shown for identification and review purposes. Coverage, prices and features change — verify current conditions with the publisher. Last reviewed 2026-08-06.