Tenryu Airfield

Economic and land redevelopment. The land on the Tenryu riverbed (kasenshiki), which the airfield occupied, was repurposed for the construction of the 'SoftBank Iwata Solar Park'. This large-scale photovoltaic power plant was deemed a more economically viable and strategic use of the government-managed riverbed land.

The former airfield site is now completely occupied by the 'SoftBank Iwata Solar Park'. The long, grassy runway has been replaced by thousands of solar panels. This facility is one of the larger solar plants in the region, utilizing the open, unshaded space of the riverbed that once made it ideal for gliding. The surrounding area is part of the Ryuyo Marine Park (竜洋海洋公園), a public recreational space with parks, sports fields, and camping facilities. All aviation-related infrastructure has been removed.

Tenryu Airfield, known locally as Tenryūgawa Kakkūjō (天竜川滑空場), was not a commercial or military airport. Its significance was primarily local and recreational. It served as a glider field ('Kakkūjō' translates to 'glider field') located on the wide, flat riverbed of the Tenryu River. The airfield was a key site for gliding activities in the Tōkai region of Japan. It was heavily used by university aviation clubs (such as those from Nagoya University and others), private gliding enthusiasts, and the Japan Gliding Association for training, competitions, and recreational flights. Operations consisted almost exclusively of winch-launched or aero-towed gliders and ultralight aircraft. It was a vital community asset for amateur aviation.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Tenryu Airfield. The site has been permanently and fundamentally repurposed with the construction of a major solar power plant, which represents a significant, long-term infrastructure investment. The removal of the solar farm to re-establish a recreational glider field is considered economically and logistically infeasible. The gliding community that once used the site has since relocated to other airfields.