Shimodate Airfield

Chikusei, JP 🇯🇵 Closed Airport

ICAO

JP-0866

IATA

-

Elevation

- ft

Region

JP-08

Local Time

Loading...

Loading...

Airport Information

GPS Code: Not available

Local Code: Not available

Location: 36.26094° N, 139.95076° E

Continent: AS

Type: Closed Airport

Terminal Information Not Available
Terminal arrivals and departures are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service and IATA codes.

External Links

Nearby Points of Interest

Current Weather Conditions

Loading weather data...

Loading weather data...


Airport Information

Airport Closure Information

Last updated: Jul 25, 2025
Closure Date

March 31, 2010

Reason for Closure

The airfield was closed due to economic and land redevelopment reasons. The land was owned by the Ibaraki Prefectural Government and leased to the Japan Soaring Club. The government decided not to renew the lease, opting instead to repurpose the large, flat area for more profitable ventures, primarily industrial development and the construction of a large-scale solar power plant.

Current Status

The site of the former airfield has been completely redeveloped. A significant portion of the land, including the area of the former runway, is now occupied by the 'Chikusei Kyowa Solar Park' (筑西協和ソーラーパーク), a massive solar power generation facility (mega solar plant). The distinctive shape of the airfield is no longer visible, having been replaced by rows of solar panels and associated infrastructure.

Historical Significance

Shimodate Airfield was one of Japan's most important and renowned centers for gliding and soaring. It served as the primary base of operations for the Japan Soaring Club (JSC) for many years. The airfield was a 'jogai-rikurickujo' (場外離着陸場), a type of non-public airfield designated for specific activities. It regularly hosted national gliding championships and was a central hub for the sport aviation community in the Kanto region and across Japan. Operations consisted mainly of glider takeoffs via aero-tow (using tow planes like the Piper PA-25 Pawnee) and winch launch, as well as general light aviation.

Reopening Prospects

There are no plans or prospects for reopening Shimodate Airfield. The permanent and large-scale redevelopment of the land into a solar farm makes a return to aviation use at this location virtually impossible. The gliding community that once used the airfield has since relocated its activities to other sites in Japan.

Nearby Airports

Sekijo Auxiliary Airfield
JP-2148
Chikusei, JP
Small Airport
~4 km away
Tsubasa Flying Club Kawashima Auxiliary Airfield
JP-2080
Yuki, JP
Small Airport
~5 km away
Yuki Heliport
JP-1161
Yuki, JP
Heliport
~5 km away
Akeno Auxiliary Airfield
JP-0865
Chikusei, JP
Small Airport
~6 km away
Oyama Kinu Gliderport
JP-0109
Oyama, JP
Small Airport
~6 km away
Maeyama Heliport
JP-2633
Shimotsuma, JP
Heliport
~8 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.

User Comments

No comments for this airport yet.

Leave a comment