Takeyama Airfield

Military Surrender and Conversion

The site of the former Takeyama Airfield was completely redeveloped and is now the location of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Camp Takeyama (陸上自衛隊武山駐屯地 - Rikujō Jieitai Takeyama Chūtonchi). It is a large and active military installation that houses several key units, including the JGSDF Combined Training School (陸上自衛隊高等工科学校) and other educational and training brigades. The original airfield infrastructure, including runways and hangars, has been entirely removed and replaced with barracks, training grounds, administrative buildings, and other facilities required for a modern ground forces base. There are no remaining traces of its past as an active airfield.

Takeyama Airfield, known in Japanese as 武山飛行場 (Takeyama Hikōjō), was an airfield of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) established on April 1, 1939. Its primary role was as the base for the Takeyama Naval Air Group (武山海軍航空隊 - Takeyama Kaigun Kōkūtai), a major training unit for naval aviators. The base specialized in basic and intermediate flight training. Cadets would learn to fly on aircraft such as the Yokosuka K5Y, a Type 93 Intermediate Trainer biplane nicknamed 'Akatombo' (Red Dragonfly). Due to its proximity to the major naval port of Yokosuka, it was a key part of the IJN's pilot training infrastructure in the Kantō region. The airfield ceased all aviation operations following the surrender of Japan at the end of World War II.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening Takeyama Airfield. The land is fully and strategically utilized as a major JGSDF base. The complete redevelopment of the site and its current critical role for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force make any conversion back to an aviation facility infeasible.