Karuno Gliderport

Economic reasons and land redevelopment. The land, which was leased for gliding activities, was repurposed by the landowner for a more profitable, long-term industrial use. The site was selected for the development of a large-scale solar energy farm, a project with significant financial backing.

The site of the former Karuno Gliderport is now fully occupied by the 'Eurus Rokko & Kashima Solar Park' (ユーラス六光・鹿島太陽光発電所). It is a massive photovoltaic power plant covering the entire area of the former airfield. The runways and aviation infrastructure have been completely removed and replaced by thousands of solar panels.

Karuno Gliderport was a significant facility for the sport of gliding in Japan's Kanto region. It was not a commercial airport but a '滑空場' (kakkūjō), or glider field, dedicated to sailplane operations. Its primary function was to serve as a training and recreational base for university aviation clubs (notably the Waseda University Aviation Club) and private gliding enthusiasts. Operations typically involved winch-launching or aero-towing of gliders. The closure was a notable loss for the Japanese gliding community, as it removed a key training location for student pilots in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

There are zero prospects for reopening the Karuno Gliderport at its original location. The land has been permanently and fundamentally repurposed for large-scale energy production, an industrial use that is incompatible with any aviation activity. There are no known plans to re-establish the gliderport elsewhere under the same name.