Nagasu Airfield

The airfield was closed for land redevelopment. The site was selected for the construction of a large-scale solar power plant, making the continuation of aviation activities unfeasible. This represents a shift in land use driven by economic and energy policy priorities.

The former airfield site is now fully occupied by the Nagasu Kinkaen Mega Solar Power Plant (長洲金魚と鯉の郷メガソーラー発電所). Construction began around 2014, and the plant became operational in March 2015. The entire area of the former runway and surrounding grounds is now covered with solar panels. While the faint outline of the former runway is slightly visible in some satellite imagery, the site is exclusively used for renewable energy generation.

Opened around 1991 on reclaimed land, Nagasu Airfield was not a formal airport but an officially permitted 'off-field landing and takeoff site' (場外離着陸場 - jōgai richakuriku-jō). Its primary function was as a glider port (滑空場 - kakkūjō), serving as a key recreational and training hub for the Kumamoto Glider Club and other local aviation enthusiasts. The unpaved runway was also used for ultralight aircraft and powered paragliders. Its significance was purely for general and recreational aviation, providing a dedicated space for these activities in the region.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Nagasu Airfield. The complete and permanent redevelopment of the site into a major solar power installation makes a return to aviation use virtually impossible. The land has been committed to a long-term industrial energy project.