Iruma Air Base - Spotting Guide

Iruma Air Base – Spotting Guide

April 30, 2020 - last modified on December 7, 2023

Iruma Air Base (-/RJTJ) is a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) base is located in the city of Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, northwest of the downtown of Tokyo. Iruma Air Base is home to the Air Defense Command Headquarters Flight Group and roughly 40km away from the heart of the Japanese capital Tokyo. It was opened back in 1937 and under American rule as off 1945. From 1958 on, the number of American facilities was reduced at Iruma air base partly till it was completely taken over by JASDF in 1978 again. Nowadays it is mainly used by transport aircraft, but let’s get exact now…
The aircraft based at this airfield here include the U-4, NAMC YS-11, T-4, and Kawasaki (E)C-1 / (E)C-2. Its annual air show on the November 3rd Culture Day holiday is a popular public event, which attracts between 125.000-225.000 visitors each time.

Written by Wout Goossens and some pictures provided by Frederik Vermeersch. Last Update: Novemeber 2019

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
17/35	2.000m / 6.562 ft – Asphalt and concrete
Terminals
–	– only military facilities such as hangars.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Little step is needed, no full size ladder.
Car/Public Transport	Car is ideal as public transport is doable.
Restrooms	Nothing nearby.
Drinks/Food	Best to bring with you altough there are some shops around.
Hotels	Some hotels nearby, mostly around the east side of base, but none is known for great “spotterviews”.
Season	All year round is good here.
Security	We just want to remind you that you are spotting at an airbase! To be safe, always carry an ID with you although there were never any problems with spotters at this airfield. But also please take care and don’t plant too high ladders directly at the fence for a long time. As mentioned, be aware that this airport is used as military base therefore it is highly recommended to keep a low profile although our hobby is familar to most people here!
Runway Usage
General Info	Single runway operations 17/35, only used regarding wind direction.

	Spot #1 – Restaurant – Runway 17 line-up + landings
WHERE	This spot is located on/next to a little road within a residential area nearby a little restaurant northwest of the airfield boundaries. It is best to reach by car, which can be parked directly there, but a train station called “Sayamashi” is also quite close. However, going from the station to this spot or the other way around takes ~12-20 minutes.

WHAT	Runway 17 line-up and landings.

TIME	Later midday till sunset.

MISC.	A little step is required. You are standing on/ right next to a little road so please be careful and don’t interfear with traffic. The nearby restaurant has all you need: food, drinks and restrooms.

FOCAL LENGTH	30-250mm Landing: 40mm for a C-2, 70mm for a C-1, 65mm for a C-130 / Line-up 200mm for C-1

	Spot #2 – Park – Runway 17 line-up and landings
WHERE	This spot is located on the northeast side of the airport, within a residence area. It can be found just next to a park attracting many visitors, who may be spotting as well or just watching. It is best to reach by car, which is suppossed to can be parked nearby, but a train station called “Sayamashi” is also quite close. However, going from the station to this spot or the other way around takes ~10-15 minutes.

WHAT	Runway 17 line-up and landings.

TIME	Sunrise till earlier noon.

MISC.	A little ladder is needed. Parking is a bit more tricky here, but should be possible somewhere in the nearby streets all around this residential area

FOCAL LENGTH	30-200mm

	Spot #3 – DIY Shop – Runway 35 arrivals
WHERE	This spot can be found just next to a DIY store south of the base. Parking your car is tricky here, but once you have done this you can stand just west of the DIY shop on the small stairs or just the free area (shown on the overview below). Of course you can also vary your position in this area if you don’t like the angle here… It is best to reach by car, which can be parked directly there, but a train station called “Musashi-Fujisawa” is also not too far away. However, going from the station to this spot or the other way around takes ~15-25 minutes.

WHAT	From here you can see arrivals onto runway 35.

TIME	Sunrise till early noon.

MISC.	Ladder useful in order to have a view onto the runway itsself and not only approach. Otherwise arrivals should also work without ladder.

FOCAL LENGTH	30-200mm

We can’t provide any example shots yet, feel free to send us some so we can include them here. But the spot itsself looks like this and you can stand on the left to take pictures – source: Google

	Spot #4 – Water basin – Taxiway RWY 35
WHERE	This spot can be found south of the base just by the fence along the runway’s head. It is located near the Furo river and a water basin and best to reach from the west. Park your car at spot #5 and walk down here. Turn into this strip between the fences (airport on the one site, water pond on the other) and walk till you reached your favourite position. It is best to reach by car, which can be parked directly there, but a train station called “Musashi-Fujisawa” is also not too far away. However, going from the station to this spot or the other way around takes ~15-25 minutes.

WHAT	Main taxiway/line-up while the taxi for RWY 35 departure.

TIME	Morning till early noon.

MISC.	Ladder is needed

FOCAL LENGTH	90-200mm

Spot itsself looks like this, walk in along the fence as marked here in order to get to the fencepart from one can take great taxiway head-ons – source: Google

	Spot #5 – Streetside – Runway 35 Taxiway + line-ups + landings
WHERE	This spot is located across the Toyooka Daiichi clinic, on a little dirtstrip allongside the road. It can be found west of the southern end of the runway and is surrounded by plenty paking spaces. It is best to reach by car, which can be parked directly there, but a train station called “Musashi-Fujisawa” is also not too far away. However, going from the station to this spot or the other way around takes ~15-25 minutes.

WHAT	Runway 35 Taxiway, line-up and landings.

TIME	Afternoon – sunset.

MISC.	A little step is required. Be aware, you are standing right next to a bussy road, so please be careful!

FOCAL LENGTH	40-300mm On the taxiway: 55mm for a C-1, 65mm for a U-4, 60mm for YS-11 / On the runway 300mm Kawasaki T-4, 250mm Hawker Hunter, 180mm for C-4, 150mm for U-4