Kawarago Gliderfield

The primary reason for closure was catastrophic damage from the tsunami that followed the 2011 earthquake. The airfield was located directly on the coast and was completely inundated, destroying the runway, winch equipment, and any associated facilities. In the aftermath, regional planning prioritized coastal defense and public safety. The decision was made not to rebuild the airfield due to the high risk of future tsunamis. Instead, the area was designated for a major coastal reinforcement and redevelopment project.

The site of the former gliderfield has been completely transformed. As part of the post-tsunami recovery, a massive concrete sea wall and coastal defenses were constructed along the shoreline. The land where the runway once lay has been redeveloped into a public park and open space known as the Kawarago Multipurpose Plaza (河原子多目的広場). This area now serves as a coastal buffer zone for disaster mitigation and a recreational space for the community.

For several decades, Kawarago Gliderfield was a vital and historically significant hub for the Japanese soaring community, particularly for university aviation clubs from the Kanto region (greater Tokyo). It was officially classified as a 'jōgai richakuriku-jō' (off-airport landing site). Its most distinctive feature was its sandy runway situated right next to the Pacific Ocean, offering unique and challenging flying conditions. The field was primarily used for winch-launched glider training. Many prominent university clubs, such as those from Waseda, Keio, and Chuo universities, held their annual training camps here, making it a formative training ground for generations of Japanese pilots.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening the Kawarago Gliderfield. The original site has been permanently repurposed for coastal defense and public recreation, making any return to aviation activities impossible. The extensive and permanent nature of the new sea wall and park development, combined with the recognized tsunami risk, precludes any possibility of re-establishing an airfield at this location.