HyTian TX-380 Tunnel Wash Break Ground in Japan’s Car Wash Market

The Market — Tunnel Wash as a New Concept in Japan

Before this project, Japanese retail car wash sites almost never used tunnel systems.

Most fueling stations and neighborhood washes relied on compact gantry machines, sometimes even adding extra distance-reduction devices to squeeze equipment into tight sites. High-efficiency tunnel systems were seen as difficult to justify in dense cities, and were mostly found inside large OEM manufacturing plants rather than consumer-facing locations.

A group of young entrepreneurs in Japan saw an opportunity:

if they could find the right partner to bring high-throughput tunnel wash technology to carefully chosen suburban sites—with more space, lower rent, and convenient access—they could offer a premium, high-volume wash and detailing experience that was new to the Japanese market.

The Client — A New-Concept Car Wash Operator in Japan

After researching multiple suppliers, the Japanese team visited HyTian and the TX-380 tunnel wash series. They were looking for:

• An equipment partner with deep engineering capability
• A tunnel platform that could be heavily customized for their vision
• A team willing to support them long term as they expanded across Japan

Rather than selling a standard out-of-the-box unit, HyTian co-designed a TX-380 conveyor tunnel car wash center with the client—a tunnel-based, high-throughput alternative to traditional in-bay / gantry car washes in Japan, carefully planned around local land constraints and user habits.

Challenges

• Land and layout constraints:
  Even in suburban locations, land is scarce and expensive. The tunnel system had to fit within carefully planned footprints, with smooth and intuitive vehicle flow.
• New to local customers:
  Japanese drivers were accustomed to gantry-style machines. The tunnel needed to feel safe, easy, and fast for first-time users, with clear entry guidance and a premium experience.
• Pandemic-era deployment:
  The first systems were installed in 2020, at the height of global travel restrictions, when HyTian’s engineers could not travel on-site.
• Future scalability:
  The solution had to be more than just a one-off pilot. It needed to be a template that could be replicated across different regions in Japan through franchise and partnership models.

Why HyTian

The Japanese team chose HyTian and the TX-380 tunnel wash system because they needed more than just equipment—they needed a technical partner:

• Customization depth:
  TX-380’s modular tunnel design and flexible brush/dryer configuration made it possible to adapt length, station sequence, and options to specific sites.
• High throughput:
  Designed for continuous operation at 50–60 vehicles per hour, TX-380 could support their goal of 500+ cars per day during busy periods.
• International project experience:
  HyTian had decades of experience designing and exporting automatic wash systems, which meant they could navigate compliance, installation, and support for cross-border projects.
• Commitment to long-term partnership:
  From the beginning, HyTian positioned the relationship as a joint market development effort, not a one-time transaction.

HyTian’s Solution

Custom-Engineered TX-380 for Japan

Working from the client’s proposed sites and business model, HyTian:

• Designed a site layout and tunnel configuration tailored to Japanese traffic flow and driving habits
• Adjusted equipment structure and controls to match local operating practices
• Integrated wash wastewater treatment and recycling to support water-saving goals and local expectations
• Built a high-output tunnel package suitable for large-format wash and detailing centers rather than standard fuel-station washes

TX-380’s modular structure allowed HyTian to:

• Adjust tunnel length to match available land
• Choose the ideal number and sequence of EVA foam brushes, high-pressure arches, chemical arches, and dryers
• Prepare for future expansion of options without major structural changes

Remote Implementation During COVID-19

When the first two TX-380 tunnels were scheduled for installation in 2020, global travel restrictions made on-site engineering support impossible.

To deliver on schedule, HyTian provided a fully remote implementation playbook:

• Detailed installation drawings and step-by-step technical manuals
• Photo and video guidance for key construction and assembly steps
• Dedicated WeChat / WhatsApp communication channels for real-time Q&A, with auto-translation tools used to bridge language barriers.
• Use of automatic translation tools to bridge language barriers during coordination
• Remote commissioning and tuning via network connections, allowing HyTian engineers to guide setup and testing from China.

With this framework, the Japanese team successfully completed installation and startup, with HyTian’s engineers monitoring performance and helping fine-tune parameters remotely.

Results — From First Store to Growing Network

Once the first store opened, the TX-380 line quickly proved its business case:

• High daily volume:
  The site quickly ramped to 500+ vehicles per day at peak, delivering strong revenue and proving that tunnel systems can work in the Japanese retail market, significantly exceeding the throughput of typical rollover machines.

• Visible differentiation:
  The impressive tunnel, excellent wash quality, and fast service attracted attention from consumers, operators and potential investors, positioning the store as a live “showcase” for modern car washing.

• Franchise and investment interest:
  As word spread, more investors and operators approached the team, many of whom later became franchisees or partners deploying their own TX-380 tunnels.

Over time, the client’s team evolved into a professional local agent for HyTian tunnel systems, supporting:

• Market development in Japan
• Local sales and project management
• On-the-ground installation and technical service for new sites

To date, multiple TX-380 tunnels have been shipped and installed across different regions in Japan, with more projects in the pipeline.

Continuous Co-Development & Feature Upgrades

HyTian’s role did not end after commissioning. Over the past years, HyTian has provided continuous technical support and product upgrades to help the Japanese partner stay ahead of customer expectations.

Working closely with the local team, HyTian added optional features that resonate strongly with Japanese drivers, such as:

• High-pressure rear-end cleaning for more complete coverage
• Color waterfall foam for a visually impressive, premium experience
• High-grade wax and coating programs for improved gloss and protection
• Deionized water rinse to minimize water spots on dark or premium finishes

By combining these options into clearly differentiated wash packages, the sites can upsell higher-value programs while giving customers more choice.

How This Maps to Your Business

For operators and investors outside Japan, this project highlights several key strengths of HyTian and the TX-380 series:

• Custom-engineered tunnel systems:
  Modular tunnel wash system, such as TX-380 series, can be adapted to site constraints, customer profiles, and local regulations.
• End-to-end support, even remotely:
  HyTian supports projects with site planning, equipment selection, construction guidance, and remote commissioning, making cross-border purchases and deployments easy and smooth.
• Scalable partnership model:
  A successful flagship site can evolve into a multi-site, franchise or network model, with the OEM as a long-term technical partner.
• Continuous product evolution:
  As the market changes, HyTian can help yo introduce new options—from premium chemical programs to water recycling—to keep your offer competitive over the long term.