Tottori Municipal Airport

Relocation and obsolescence. The original municipal airport had a short, unpaved (gravel) runway of approximately 960 meters. This infrastructure was insufficient to handle the larger and heavier turboprop aircraft, such as the YS-11, that were becoming the standard for Japanese domestic aviation. To modernize air services for the region, a new airport with a longer, paved runway was constructed nearby, making the old facility redundant.

The site has been completely redeveloped and bears no resemblance to an airport. The former airfield grounds are now occupied by the Tottori Koyama Industrial Park (鳥取市湖山工業団地), along with numerous commercial and retail establishments (including large electronics stores), and some residential housing. All original airport infrastructure, including the runway and terminal buildings, has been removed. A stone monument commemorating the history of the old airfield has been erected within the redeveloped area.

The airport originated during World War II, established in 1943 by the Imperial Japanese Army as the Tottori Army Airfield (also known as Koyama Airfield). It was primarily used for pilot training, including for special attack (Kamikaze) units, and as a base for the air defense of the San'in region. After the war, it was converted for civilian use and opened in 1957 as Tottori Municipal Airport. It handled regional passenger services, most notably operated by Toa Airways (a predecessor to Japan Air System) using small aircraft like the de Havilland Dove and Heron on routes to cities such as Osaka.

There are zero prospects for reopening. The land has been repurposed and is now a dense industrial, commercial, and residential zone. Furthermore, the modern and fully-equipped Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport (RJOR/TTJ) is located immediately to the east and effectively serves the region's aviation needs, making a second airport in the same location unnecessary and impossible.