Shonai Airport (SYO)

Shonai, JP 🇯🇵 Medium Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

RJSY

IATA

SYO

Elevation

86 ft

Region

JP-06

Local Time

Airport Information

GPS Code: RJSY

Local Code: Not available

Location: 38.812199° N, 139.787003° E

Continent: AS

Type: Medium Airport

Arrivals

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Departures

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External Links

Wikipedia Live Flights

Nearby Points of Interest

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What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Shonai Airport (SYO) generally elicits a positive sentiment from travelers, often described as a small, convenient, and relaxed regional airport. Visitors appreciate its role as a gateway to the scenic Shonai region of Yamagata Prefecture, offering a stress-free travel experience compared to larger, busier international hubs.

What Travelers Love

Relaxed and Quiet Atmosphere: Unlike major airports, Shonai offers a peaceful environment, making for a comfortable pre-flight experience.
Convenient Gateway to Yamagata: The airport is well-positioned to access the natural beauty, hot springs, and historical sites of the Shonai region.
Essential Facilities: Despite its small size, the airport is equipped with souvenir shops like Kiyokawaya Shonai Airport Store and ANAFESTA Shonai Airport Lobby Store, offering local delicacies and products. It also has a restaurant, Hirata Bokujo Shonai Airport Store, praised for its premium pork dishes.
Observation Deck: A rooftop observation deck provides panoramic views of the runway, the Sea of Japan, and Mount Chokai, serving as a relaxing spot, especially for families.
Efficient Security: Security screening is generally efficient, with average wait times around 27-28 minutes for both domestic and international recommendations.

Common Complaints

Limited Public Transportation: While there are bus services to Tsuruoka Station and taxis, public transport options are generally limited outside the main hubs, with many travelers recommending renting a car for comprehensive exploration of the region.
Limited Food Options: As a smaller regional airport, the selection of food and snacks is described as limited, though enjoyable, focusing on local specialties.
No Direct International Flights: For international travelers, Shonai Airport requires connecting flights through major Japanese airports like Tokyo Narita or Osaka Kansai.

Overall, Shonai Airport serves as an efficient and pleasant entry point for those looking to explore the Yamagata Prefecture. While its facilities are modest, they are well-maintained and cater adequately to domestic travelers, with the primary recommendation for exploring the surrounding region being the use of a rental car due to limited public transport.

Generated 5 days ago

This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

Current Weather Conditions

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Airport Routes

Top Routes (by observations)

Tokyo Int'l (Haneda) (HND) 2

Newly Discovered

Tokyo Int'l (Haneda) (HND) new

Popular Flight Routes

Building Route Index: We are building our route index for commercial airports. Currently 2 routes are indexed for Shonai Airport. For real-time updates, admin access is required.

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Destination	IATA	City	Aircraft Type	Airline	Details	Route Map
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Top Airlines

Operating at Shonai Airport

Airlines by Flight Activity

Based on observed flight operations and route network

Airline	Routes	Flights	Destinations	Last Activity
All Nippon `ANA` / `NH`	1	37	1	Dec 3, 2025
ANA Wings `AKX` / `EH`	1	3	1	Dec 3, 2025

Showing top 2 airlines by flight activity. Data includes observed departures and route networks from this airport.

For Pilots

Designation	Length	Width	Surface	Status
`09/27`	6560 ft	150 ft	ASP	Active Lighted

Type	Description	Frequency
A/G	RDO	`118.8 MHz`

Ident	Name	Type	Frequency
`YSE`	Shonai	VOR-DME	`109600 kHz`

Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025

Taxis

A taxi stand is located directly outside the terminal building for on-demand service. Additionally, a reservation-based, fixed-fare shared taxi service (Aigake Taxi) is available, providing transport to major destinations like Tsuruoka City, Sakata City, and the Dewa Sanzan area. Reservations are required for the shared service.

Rental Cars

Several major car rental companies have service counters inside the airport terminal building. Options include Toyota Rent-a-Car, Nissan Rent-a-Car, Times Car Rental, and Orix Rent-a-Car. It is highly recommended to book a vehicle in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.

Public Transportation

Shonai Kotsu operates a limousine bus service connecting the airport with key regional hubs. Main routes run to JR Tsuruoka Station and Sakata City. The bus schedules are conveniently timed to coordinate with flight arrivals and departures.

Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.