Oita Airfield

Relocation and replacement. The original airfield was located in what became the city center of Oita. Its runway was too short to accommodate the larger jet aircraft (like the Boeing 727 and 737) that were becoming standard for domestic travel. Due to its urban location, there was no room for expansion and significant noise concerns for the surrounding residential areas. A new, larger airport (the current Oita Airport, OIT/RJFO) was constructed on reclaimed land in Kunisaki, further from the city center, with a longer runway suitable for jets and over-water approaches.

The former airport site has been completely and extensively redeveloped. It is now a major part of Oita's city center. There are no remaining traces of the runway or airport facilities. The land is occupied by a mix of commercial, residential, and cultural developments, including the Oita Prefectural Art Museum (OPAM), the iichiko Grand Theater, large apartment complexes, shopping centers, and parks. The area is a thriving urban district.

This site was the original airport for Oita Prefecture, known as the Old Oita Airport. It was first established during World War II as the Oita Naval Air Base for the Imperial Japanese Navy. After the war, it was used by Allied occupation forces before being returned to Japan and converted for civilian use. Scheduled commercial flights began in 1957. As the primary air gateway to the region, it handled domestic flights connecting Oita with major hubs like Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. Due to its short runway, operations were limited to propeller and turboprop aircraft, such as the Vickers Viscount and the NAMC YS-11.

None. There is zero possibility of the site reopening as an airport. The land has been fully integrated into the urban fabric of Oita City and is now high-value, densely developed real estate. The region is well-served by the current Oita Airport (OIT/RJFO).