Shimoda Seaplane Base

Operations ceased permanently following a fatal accident. On July 27, 1998, the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver (registration JA3133) operated by New Central Airservice for sightseeing flights experienced engine failure shortly after takeoff. The aircraft crashed into Shimoda Bay while attempting to return, resulting in the death of the pilot. The sightseeing service was not resumed after this incident, leading to the effective closure of the base.

There is no longer any dedicated infrastructure for a seaplane base at this location. The coordinates point to the open water of Shimoda Bay, adjacent to the Shimoda Floating Aquarium (Shimoda Kaichu Suizokukan). The bay and the surrounding Shimoda Port are actively used for general maritime purposes, including public ferries to the Izu Islands, fishing boats, pleasure craft, and other tourist-related marine activities. The specific docking area once used by the seaplane has been repurposed for other vessels.

The Shimoda Seaplane Base was a water landing area located in the protected waters of Shimoda Bay. Its primary function was to support a niche tourism operation. From approximately 1993 until the 1998 accident, the airline New Central Airservice (新中央航空) operated scenic flights from this location. Using a single DHC-2 Beaver seaplane, they offered tourists aerial views of the scenic Izu Peninsula. The operation was one of the few regular commercial seaplane services in Japan during the 1990s, capitalizing on Shimoda's status as a popular coastal resort town. The 'base' itself was not a large, built-up facility but rather a designated water landing zone with associated docking facilities at the port.

There are no known official plans or credible proposals to reopen the Shimoda Seaplane Base or re-establish commercial seaplane services in Shimoda. While there has been a modest revival of seaplane tourism in other regions of Japan, such as the Seto Inland Sea, no specific initiatives have been publicly announced for this location.