Arakawa Kahan Gliderfield

The primary reason for the closure was land reclamation for a major public infrastructure project. The site was directly in the path of the construction of the new Arakawa Oohashi Bridge (荒川大橋) and the expansion and realignment of National Route 407. The construction of the bridge's abutments, support pillars, and extensive approach roads completely overbuilt and eliminated the former runway and facilities.

The site of the former gliderfield no longer exists as an aviation facility. It is now completely occupied by the new, four-lane Arakawa Oohashi Bridge and its associated interchange with National Route 407. Satellite imagery clearly shows the former grass runway area is now covered by asphalt, concrete bridge structures, and roadway embankments. The surrounding area remains a public river floodplain with sports grounds and parkland, but the specific location of the airfield has been permanently repurposed for transportation infrastructure.

Arakawa Kahan Gliderfield was a historically significant training ground for glider pilots in the Kanto region. Located on the wide, open floodplain (河畔 - kahan) of the Arakawa River, it was an ideal, low-cost location for soaring activities. Its main historical importance stems from being the long-time home base for the Hosei University Aviation Club (法政大学航空部 - Hōsei Daigaku Kōkū-bu), one of Japan's well-known university aviation clubs. For decades, the field served as the primary site where generations of students learned to fly gliders, launched via winch or aero-tow. Such riverbank airfields are a classic feature of Japanese civil aviation, providing essential training facilities near major urban centers where dedicated airport space is scarce and expensive. The field exclusively handled non-powered glider operations.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening the Arakawa Kahan Gliderfield. The land has been permanently and irreversibly converted for use as a critical national highway and bridge. The former primary operator, the Hosei University Aviation Club, has successfully relocated its operations to another nearby facility, the Menuma Gliderport (妻沼滑空場 - Menuma Kakkūjō), which is also located along the Tone River in Kumagaya, ensuring the continuation of their activities.