Kushimoto Seaplane Base

Military Decommissioning. The base was operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy and was abandoned following Japan's surrender at the end of World War II. The closure was a direct result of the dissolution of the Japanese military.

The site is now a historical ruin and a point of interest. The most prominent remnant is the large, wide concrete seaplane ramp that leads directly into the bay, which is still fully intact and visible. The surrounding land area of the former naval base has been redeveloped and is now occupied by public facilities, including a park, residential areas, and the Kushimoto Community Center. The ramp itself is preserved as a war relic and is a local landmark, sometimes used by local fishermen for boat access.

The ICAO identifier JP-2528 refers to the historical Kushimoto Naval Air Base (串本海軍航空隊), a key facility for the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Established around 1941, it was strategically located to defend the Kii Channel, a vital shipping lane to Osaka and Kobe. The base was crucial for training crews, conducting anti-submarine patrols, and flying reconnaissance missions. It primarily operated large seaplanes and flying boats, most notably the Kawanishi H8K 'Emily'. The base was a target of U.S. air raids in the final months of the war in 1945.

There are no known plans or prospects to reopen the site as an active seaplane base. Its value is now historical and commemorative. Air transport for the region is handled by the nearby Nanki-Shirahama Airport (RJBD). Furthermore, Kushimoto's current major aerospace focus is on 'Space Port Kii', Japan's first dedicated commercial space launch facility, located on a different part of the peninsula, indicating a forward-looking development strategy rather than reviving historical infrastructure.