Motobu Airfield

The airfield was built for a single, specific purpose: to serve as a transportation hub for the International Ocean Exposition, Okinawa 1975. It was designed as a temporary facility and was dismantled after the event concluded, as its intended function was complete. It was not closed for economic or safety reasons but by design.

The site of the former airfield has been completely redeveloped and is now an integral part of the Ocean Expo Park (Kaiyōhaku Kōen). The exact location of the former runway is now occupied by the park's northern parking lots (specifically the P7 Emerald Parking Lot), access roads, and other park facilities that serve the famous Churaumi Aquarium and surrounding attractions. There are no visible remnants of the runway or airport structures.

Motobu Airfield, also known as Motobu Auxiliary Airfield, holds historical significance as the dedicated airport for the International Ocean Exposition, Okinawa 1975. This expo was a major event for Okinawa, held just three years after its reversion from U.S. to Japanese sovereignty. The airfield, with its approximately 800-meter runway, was specifically designed for STOL (Short Take-off and Landing) aircraft. The primary operator was Toa Domestic Airlines (TDA), which later became Japan Air System (JAS). TDA operated scheduled flights using de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft, providing a crucial link for VIPs, officials, and visitors between the Expo site and Naha Airport. Its operation was a key piece of infrastructure for the success of the international fair.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening Motobu Airfield. The land has been fully and permanently repurposed for tourism and recreation as part of a major national park. Re-establishing an airport at this location is infeasible due to the existing infrastructure and the area's current focus on tourism.