Japan 2024
For the second time, we planned a tour to beautiful Japan to visit airbases, modelshops and hobby shops.
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Following on from the successful modellers aviation tour of Japan in 2023, most of the members of the latest excited group began their journey to Tokyo on Friday 23 February 2024. As before, the aim of the tour was to see and take photos of many different types of the colourful JASDF aircraft as possible during the day and to then go shopping in some of the best model shops in the world by night.
Our two Canadian companions had already had an excellent week of tourism in Japan ahead of the later arrivals (on Saturday 24 February) but for everyone, it had been a very long day of travelling, so it was time for bed and a well earned rest.
Once the van had been picked up from the rental office and the group collected from the hotel lobby, we set off on our very long drive to Komatsu on Sunday (25 February). As there was no aviation planned for today, it was in theory a relaxing journey.
After a couple of hours, first weaving across Tokyo on the raised expressway and then through open countryside, we arrived at the first model shop of the trip.
Everyone was extremely surprised to see the huge selection of rare out-of-production kits that were available at mostly reduced prices when compared to those of their home countries. After a prolonged browsing session of the stock, the lady owner of the shop was happy to exchange kits for Yen and with our precious cargo in hand, we drove away from her waving and low-bowing.
The calm of the quiet motorway was soon spoilt by rain which then turned to heavy snow. We hadn’t even reached the highest point of our route across the Japanese Alps yet and the temperature was rapidly approaching 0C. With the conditions worsening by the minute, snow ploughs suddenly appeared in front of us to clear the road surface, making travel slightly safer.
After going through a series of tunnels we crested a hill and found that the storm had only been on the windward side of the mountain. Fortunately, the tense hour was over and we proceeded to make better time although we all agreed that it was better to miss out the next model shop stop just in case.
A coffee and fuel break gave us the opportunity to practice some of the usual 4Aviation flexibility and do some re-planning. To this end, we visited a Hard Off second hand shop in Kanazawa. Their small selection of kits resulted in another purchase before we made for a nearby restaurant to eat a simple curry for our evening meal.
With the long, and at times stressful, day finally over, we disappeared into our hotel rooms for another attempt at a full nights sleep.
Monday 26 February was to be our first aviation photography day, we were at the end of the runway at Komatsu air base by 07.30 to wait for any action. With the sun out, six F-15s took off at 07.45, but unfortunately from the wrong end as far as we were concerned, so we moved position in order to be ready for their return.
After a fast friendly check by base security, rain started to fall. The weather became gloomier, the rain got even heavier and it got colder. Guess what? The Eagles returned at that precise moment.
We captured some pictures even if they weren’t the best but at least it was a start. Moving to the airport terminal observation deck with another Brit photographer friend in tow, we could see plenty of aircraft on the apron including five aggressor F-15s from the Hiko Kyodotai. Pretty soon more F-15s from the two local squadrons lifted off and then there was movement from the area we were keenly watching. The aggressors were about to fly.
Once four were in the air, we returned to the runway end hoping for landings in decent weather, which duly happened even if it was still cloudy. Having bagged the rarities, we made our way to the local DIY shop to purchase sets of step ladders. The Ishikawa Aviation Plaza museum was next on the list for an hour of indoor photography. In other words, we needed to warm up!
To the sound of the first afternoon sortie taking off, we arrived back at the end of the runway. It wasn’t long before we were repeating our morning images, including the fifth aggressor airframe, only this time in better light; that was until the hail storm hit us.
Running for cover in the van, we decided to call it a day at the base and head for the book and model shops instead.
With a little ‘light’ shopping completed, we found a local BBQ restaurant in which to eat our excellent evening meal before heading back to our hotel.
On Tuesday 27 February, yet again 4Aviation flexibility had to be deployed. The weather in Komatsu was atrocious as snow had fallen overnight, so the group quickly decided to go directly to Gifu instead.
We travelled most of the way in a snow storm but the weather changed soon after we cleared the mountainous area. In beautiful sunlight, we arrived to the sight of three C-130s practicing in the distance for an air show over Komaki air base. Gifu did not disappoint either as the Kawasaki company Citation landed soon after our arrival, followed by the rarely seen silver-painted C-1 FTB.
As ever the local spotters were very chatty, admiring photos and swapping presents. We learnt of a several T-4s that were airborne, so settled down for the day at our favourite spot in the park near the end of the runway. First past our lenses were two TRDI T-4s flying in close formation. Whilst they did touch and go circuits, they were joined by an unmarked squadron T-4 that had carried out a test flight following its service by Kawasaki.
A lazy lunch came next while we waited for further action, but it remained quiet apart from an arriving 32 Squadron T-4 and a 41 Squadron T-400 that passed through, both from Hamamatsu air base. Then the fast-jet noise started! Two Mitsubishi F-2s took off and returned an hour later. They performed a variety of flypasts for the waiting spotters, including a paired approach.
After they landed we waved goodbye to our Japanese aviation friends before driving to the nearest model shop. Yet more kits were purchased, despite warnings about a lack of suitcase space. Our evening meal at the local mall was a delicious okonomiyaki, similar in style to a Spanish omelette
With the sun shining again, we set off early on Wednesday 28 February to see if we could capture a repeat of the C-130 practice at Komaki air base. Unfortunately this was not to be, but whilst waiting, we were able to photograph a several other operational Hercules and KC-767 take off.
In addition to the JASDF traffic, the excellent exhibits in the Aichi Museum of Flight occupied our cameras. The viewing deck on the roof also gave an unusual view point to the fire department and metropolitan police helicopters taking off. Leaving Komaki for a newly-found superb local model shop meant that our plan to arrive at the Kakamigahara air museum was slightly delayed but we got there in the end. The group chose to wander its halls for a few hours so the tour leader made for the runway end again, to be greeted by a landing T-400 and T-4s.
A quiet hour followed but this allowed time to sit in the sun and catch up with essential tour paperwork! After collecting the group from the museum, the calm was broken by a JASDF Chinook flying past, a landing F-15 and lastly a blue F-2B, the first of the holiday, all of which were easily photographed.
Today, our evening meal was taken in a Korean BBQ restaurant close to the hotel.
Luckily 2024 is a leap year so we got an extra day to see aircraft during our trip. Leaving the hotel early on Thursday 29 February, we headed for Hamamatsu air base in order to catch some flying by the 1st Air Wing T-4s of 31 and 32 Squadrons, the T-400s of 41 Squadron and with luck an E-767 from the AWACS unit.
Everything went as planned and we also had enough time between sorties to swap locations to get alternative angles to our images. By lunchtime, the promised clouds had arrived and the light was failing, so this gave us ample opportunity to explore the aircraft in the Hamamatsu Air Park museum.
Whilst not as photographer-friendly as in previous years, it is still an impressive collection and the group spent a relaxed couple of hours admiring the airframes and displays. Once we had had our fill of full size aircraft, we set off to a previously unseen model shop in Hamamatsu. Along the way, we found two Book Off stores and three Hard Off shops which of course meant yet more Yen were spent.
By checking in early at the hotel, it meant that we could visit the JR station for some bullet train photos and hunt down the elusive model shop before our evening meal, which was taken at the local Bavarian Schloss; only in Japan!.
On Friday 1 March we went straight to Shizuhama air base to see if the T-7s were flying. We were lucky to see two airframes in the circuit that had been borrowed from 12 Squadron at Hofukita as well as a number of locally based 11 Squadron aircraft. A friendly young local spotter was feeding us information on flights, so we were able to gauge exactly what was happening and he also offered us help during the usual polite security check, although this was not needed.
Once we were satisfied with our images, including those of Mt.Fuji as it had appeared briefly in the distance through the clouds, we left to see if we could photograph the two aircraft at the nearby Hasegawa factory. Permission for the T-3 above the gatehouse was granted but that was better than nothing.
As we had an hour or so to spare before our visit to the Tamiya HQ, we went to a craft department store in Shizuoka. Their collection of second hand kits and books was absolutely stunning, so much so that further purchases of extra suitcases were seriously being considered.
As ever, the visit to Tamiya Headquarters resulted in a superb tour of the museum exhibits and 1:1 scale vehicles in the reception area. The attention to detail and pride in the company was readily apparent even during this short time.
Afterwards, we made our way through the extremely busy Friday evening traffic to our hotel in Tokyo, ready for yet more plastic shopping on Saturday. Our evening meal was taken in a nearby ‘posh burger’ pub overlooking the waterfront.
During the night around 02.00, we experienced our first earthquake in Japan. Fortunately, the only issue for us was interrupted sleep.
As Saturday 2 March was designated as our main model shopping day we had a lie in, leaving the hotel on the 08.30 free shuttle bus to the JR station. Once we had mastered the ticket system, it was off to Akihabara for a walk around some of the best model shops in the world.
First came Yodabashi and its famous 20m wall of tools. After an hour in the shop, we all agreed that there was no way we could ever work there as it was simply too noisy, so for some peace and quiet we went to Leonardo instead. Unfortunately, the opening time had changed to 12.00, so we made do with the Yellow Submarine store instead. We found that they had moved back into their original premises which were quite handy as we could also visit Volks two storeys above. Naturally, our bags got heavier along the way.
After a light lunch in a local micro brewery pub, we returned to Leonardo. The group were simply amazed at the stock of old kits, books and decals at such low prices when compared to Europe and North America. Once finished there, we were all modelled out, so our final stop of the day was for new books at the Shosen Book tower. Again, we added to our weight limit on the flight home.
After a well earned break at the hotel, we took the shuttle bus back to the station in order to dine at a Japanese restaurant. The food was fantastic, but desert was ice cream bought at the local 7-11. We know how to live.
On Sunday 3 March, we first went to the Sengaku Ji temple to learn of the story and see the graves of the 47 Ronin; the beginnings of the honour and loyalty traditions in Japan.
After that, we wove our way around western Tokyo visiting several model shops, both large and small, as well as a book shop that refused our entry. Did they know how many books we had previously bought? Obviously not, and was their loss.
Finishing with the incredible labyrinth that is the Keystone shop, we made our way to our new hotel for the evening. Check in was smooth and before long we were freshened up enough to go out for a delicious okonomiyaki meal with our Japanese aviation modelling friends. A great night was had by all.
Strangely, the overhead light in our rooms was controlled by a movement sensor and not a switch. The only way we could work out how to turn it off was by removing the key from the main control unit. So much for technology!
We were up early (for a modellers aviation tour) on Monday 4 March in order to drive directly to Iruma air base.
The morning traffic wasn’t too bad and we arrived in time to see a Citation U-680 of the Flight Check Squadron take off, quickly followed by one of the last four remaining C-1s in JASDF service.
Unfortunately, the fire engine left the side of the runway soon after and that signalled no more flying for well over an hour. Our Japanese friends who had joined us once again indicated that this may well be the case for the whole day, so we made a rapid change of plan and drove to Hasegawa Hobby shop where the drawers of old decals were raided extensively, as were kits and rare resin sets.
As the sun was shining today (unlike the predictions for tomorrow), we moved on to Hyakuri air base. Upon arrival, we witnessed the landings of two T-4s, four F-2s and a U-125. A Pokemon special-marking Boeing 737 from Skymark Airlines also graced our lenses.
That was it for afternoon action, as is the norm on Mondays and Tuesdays at Hyakuri. At 17.00 the F-2s came to life for evening flying practice, performing two take-offs in golden light right in front of us. Sadly, the other four aircraft scrubbed their mission due to what appeared to be an engine issue, which meant we left for our hotel in Mito a little early.
A nearby local restaurant proved to be a great choice for our tasty evening meal as the menu was extensive and our waitress spoke some English.
The weather was supposed to be poor on Tuesday 5 March, so we left a little later for Hyakuri air base. After photographing the air base gate guards from over the fence, we were surprised to see six F-2s readying themselves for a mission.
We quickly positioned ourselves at our favourite spots before capturing some excellent lift-off images. As it was still cold, a warming coffee in the airport terminal allowed us time to decide that it wasn’t worth waiting for them to return as rain was starting, so instead we made for the last model shop of the tour.
This proved to be a wise decision as the weather was foul and we were all grateful for an easier journey than we expected. Indeed, it was fascinating to travel for more than 10 miles in tunnels beneath Central Tokyo, before emerging above ground very close to our hotel’s front door.
Our trusty Toyota rental van was returned without issue and we went out early for the last meal of our wonderful tour. Then it was back to the hotel, for final packing of our by-now much heavier suitcases.
On Wednesday (6 March), the two British members of the team left the hotel before dawn in order to check in for their early flight home via Shanghai. Everything went smoothly and they were soon on their way. The Amsterdam group followed next, with our two Canadian friends making the most of their late flight by doing a little extra shopping in Tokyo; guess what for?
There ended another superb tour of Japanese model shops and airfields. Here’s to next time when we might also take in a model show too.
