Shimodate Airfield

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.

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 The distinctive shape of the airfield is no longer visible, having been replaced by rows of solar panels and associated infrastructure.

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.

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.