Yamada Seaplane Base

Destruction by a natural disaster. The seaplane base was located on the coast of Yamada, a town that was catastrophically devastated by the tsunami on March 11, 2011. Any and all associated ground facilities, docks, and infrastructure were completely destroyed by the waves, rendering the base inoperable and effectively non-existent.

The site is now part of the reconstructed Yamada Port and Funakoshi Bay. After the 2011 tsunami, the entire coastline underwent a massive, multi-year reconstruction project, which included the construction of new, higher sea walls and the complete redevelopment of the port and town. The area is now actively used for its primary industries: fishing and aquaculture, particularly for oysters and scallops. There are no physical remnants or signs of the former seaplane base.

The Yamada Seaplane Base was not a traditional airport but a designated water landing area in the scenic Funakoshi Bay. The ICAO code 'JP-3068' is a non-official identifier used in some aviation databases to mark such locations. Its operations were small-scale and primarily catered to tourism and private aviation. It likely offered scenic flights over the spectacular Sanriku Coast, which is a designated national park known for its rugged cliffs and beautiful seascapes. The base was a component of local tourism infrastructure rather than a significant transport or military hub.

There are no known official plans to reopen the specific Yamada Seaplane Base (JP-3068). However, in the years following the 2011 disaster, various proposals and discussions have emerged regarding the use of seaplanes to help revitalize tourism along the Sanriku Coast and to serve as a potential mode of transport during future emergencies. Some companies have conducted demonstration flights in the region. These are generally considered new initiatives aimed at regional recovery and are not a direct plan to restore the original base. Any future seaplane operation in Yamada would require entirely new infrastructure, investment, and regulatory approvals.