GLOBAL SPOTTING REPORTS
JAPAN
A fantastic place with great viewing areas but can prove expensive especially if you want to travel around. The Japan Rail pass can be a good investment. You have to purchase this before you go. However it does only cover Japan Railways lines. Some trains are operated by private companies such as the Nagoya Airport train from the central station and these cost extra. If you want to fly the low cost carriers are now making it more affordable to get around.
The following website also provides a lot of excellent info on spotting in Japan
http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~ito-nori/ Alternatively do a websearch for airplane airplane airplane
Tokyo Narita – Nov 2017
LANDSIDE
Landside – Both terminals have excellent observation decks
There is a free bus connecting both terminals running every few minutes.
There is new T3 for low cost carriers. These stands can easily be seen from T2.
Museum of Aeronautical Sciences:
Located near the threshold of 34L next to Nippon Cargos ramp. There is a 5th floor observation deck allowing excellent views of the airport and both approaches for Runways 34L/R meaning all aircraft can be read. If departing 16 direction its probably more beneficial to stay on the observation decks. There are several aircraft preserved here including a YS11 and parts of a DC8 JA8001 inside the building.
There is a bus service from Terminal 2, third floor, bus stop 5. Times have changed from those I found on the internet so check the bus stop for times.
When they are in the 16 direction they seem to use both runways for arrivals but only 16R for departures. So all aircraft can be seen from terminal 1 on there way out.
During the afternoon rush there are a few domestic flights including ANA DHC8s and B737s and Ibex CR7s. These park on a ramp inbetween T2 and T1. From T2 arrivals turn left and you should find them. Its possible to continue walking to T1 from here. Cross the road and go into P5, a small multi storey car park. Spring also park a couple of there B737s here overnight.
AIRSIDE
Airside – There are views but not as good as the observation decks.
HOTELS
Marroad – Rooms overlook runway 16R threshold. The restaurant on the top floor allows views of the rest of the airfield with great views of the cargo ramp. Its possible to read of movements on 16L with good binoculars.
Holiday Inn Tobu – Within walking distance from terminal 2 and between the rooms and the corridor windows both runways can be seen.
Narita Rest House – From T1 arrivals, turn left, walk to the end and up the steps. Continue along the path and you will see the hotel. Even numbered rooms which I think are twin rooms would give you a view of the approaches to runways 34 if landing from this direction, although you probably can’t read them off from the room. Windows at the end of the corridor would give you a view of 34R arrivals or 16L departures. Odd numbered rooms are double rooms and give a view of a few cargo stands and small portion of 34L. Departures from 34L can be seen on climb out.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Mostly heavies of JAL and ANA with an excellent selection of international flights from the far east and Europe. There are some domestic flights mainly during peak hours in midafternoon to connect with the international flights.
Jetstar, Vanilla and Spring are all based from the new Terminal 3 and most if not all of there fleets should be seen.
Tokyo Haneda – Nov 2017
LANDSIDE
Terminal 1 – Observation deck overlooking the whole airfield. Open 630 till 2200
Terminal 2 – Observation deck overlooking this runway only. Open 630 till 2200
International Terminal – Observation deck open 24 hours. Also has great views of Terminal 1. Movements on T2 are a bit too far away especially if there is haze so you will miss stuff from here unless you use flightradar24. The wifi did work on the observation deck.
There is a free bus between terminals which operates every four minutes during the day.
JAL offer tours around there hangers. The front fuselage of DC8 JA8001 is reportedly inside.
AIRSIDE
There are views but you are only likely to see half of the movements depending on runway usage. Much better to stay on the observation decks.
HOTELS
Haneda Excel situated in terminal 2. Not the cheapest but very convenient and rooms have a view.
Royal Park Hotel – I paid for a universal Deluxe Twin Room which according to the website would give me a room with a view on the 7th floor. They tried to give me a room on the 6th floor saying there was no available rooms on the 7th floor. It was midday. I’m pretty sure every room on the 7th floor was available. After a bit of arguing I was given a room and had a good view. Some international stands right in front of you and views across the runway onto terminal 1. A similar view to the observation deck so stuff would be missed if you wanted to spot from here. It worked well at night for stuff taxiing in and out of the international terminal which has a few interesting movements late on.
According to there website the 8th floor also have views but these are more expensive business or executive rooms.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Expect to make a big dent in JAL and ANA mainline fleets here as well as Skymark, Solaseed and Starflyer. You won’t see any commuter aircraft here though. You have to travel around to get everything. Also expect some JCAB and Coastguard aircraft. They usually park along with the Biz and can be seen from T1 observation deck. However they are quite far away and tricky to get.
Iruma – Nov 2017
The annual airshow is held on November 3rd each year and visited by hundreds of thousands of locals.
The JASDF Gulfstreams are based along with some Kawasaki C-1s.
To get here take a train to Ikebukuro on the Yamanote line. Then transfer to the Seibu Ikebukuro line and take a train to Inariyama Koen which is right next to the airfield.
Gates open at 9am. I wouldn’t get there earlier as you will just be waiting in a queue of thousands.
Osaka Kansai – Nov 2017
LANDSIDE
No Views from the terminal itself.
Observation deck at the end of the runway allows views of most of the airfield and you should miss nothing unless the bad weather rolls in.
The new runway is out of sight in the distance behind the new low cost terminal 2 which Peach and Spring use. It was used for all arrivals when I was there. I suspect it may be used for all departures if they changed direction. So I had to wait for some things to depart. There is a regular bus from the main terminal area and is open 8am to 10pm.
AIRSIDE
Airside – T1 - Window views of this runway
HOTELS
Hotel – The airport hotel looks like it would have some views although at a distance. Fairly expensive but a convenient location.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Not the busiest of airports and not a whole lot here that you won’t see elsewhere. Its mostly international Airlines so not much point if you are trying to see the Japanese fleets. Saying that Peach are based so you may want to try and see them. I wouldn’t bother with this place again. I made 7 Japanese frames of which most where seen again in Tokyo.
Japan Coastguard did base some S340’s here but not seen on this visit.
There is a regular bus service between Kansai and Itami airports. However first departure gets into Itami about 30 mins after first departures start so you may miss a few.
Osaka Itami – Nov 2017
LANDSIDE
Landside – Observation deck allows excellent views of all movements. Turn left out of the terminal and follow the road around to the hangers to see whats parked up there. If you turn right out of the terminal you can see the ANA DHC8s if you don’t want to wait for them to depart.
AIRSIDE
Window views allow all movements to be seen.
HOTELS
None here that I know about, so you have to stay at Kansai or downtown.
Regular buses run from both major train stations – shinosaka and umeda station which will get you there for first departure.
WHAT TO EXPECT
All domestic flights but well worth a visit. Lots of J Air E170/90’s CRJ’s, DH8’s and ANA DH8’s based here which you won’t see in Tokyo. A couple of Ibex CRJ700s first thing and then again during the day. Most aircraft can be seen between 7am and 1030am when it gets quiet and repeats on itself. Several aircraft will disappear for the day and return in the evening so if you miss them going they may not come back. New aircraft do trickle in throughout the day so it may be worth staying for the day to try and fill the gaps.
Fukuoka – Nov 2017
LANDSIDE
Domestic Terminal – One small observation deck but no shelter and no views from inside that I could find.
International Terminal – 2 observation decks and good views from inside
AIRSIDE
International terminal has window views allowing all movements to be seen.
Domestic has views but mostly limited to partial views of the runway.
HOTELS
Hotels – none at the airport but domestic terminal is literally a 5 minute train ride away from the central station where several hotels are. There is a bus between domestic and international terminals.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Expect a good variety here with Fuji Dream Airlines having several flights each day. Several JAL Commuter flights and ANA DH8’s as well as a few IBEX CRJ700s. Also expect Amakusa’s ATR and an Oriental Air Bridge DH8. Worth a visit and can fill some gaps.
Hamamatsu – Nov 2017
Its purely a military base. Views of the ramp can be had from the perimeter road. There is a museum here with some older aircraft preserved. Search for Air Self-Defence Force Public Relations Hall Air Park. However to see the B767s you need to walk around to the opposite side of the airfield. There are four B767s based with the other four based at Nagoya Komaki. Expect 2 or 3 parked on the ramp.
Hamamatsu is about an hours drive from Nagoya but there is a train stop on the main shinkansan line between Tokyo and Nagoya. The airport is about 20 mins drive from the train station. A taxi cost me about £45 return. Alternatively there is bus from the station that gets you pretty close. Google maps gives you details if you search for directions.
Kagoshima – never been?
WHAT TO EXPECT
A base for Japan Air Commuter with several based S340’s and DH8’s. Whatever you don’t see at Itami and Fukuoka will be sitting here.
Nagasaki – Jun 2011
LANDSIDE
Observation deck
AIRSIDE
?
HOTELS
None at the airport
WHAT TO EXPECT
Base of Oriental Air Bridge’s 2 DH8’s but not much else.
Nagoya Centrair – Nov 2017
LANDSIDE
Excellent observation deck on top of the pier allows you to get up close to everything.
AIRSIDE
?
HOTELS
Centrair hotel within the airport complex reportedly has views from high floors. All movements can be seen
Comfort hotel – also within the airport complex but has no views.
WHAT TO EXPECT
ANA dominate with some based DH8’s and B737s along with a mix of the other airlines. Air Asia are based but only have 2 aircraft at present. Again not amazingly busy but can fill a few gaps.
B787 Prototype N787BA is Preserved here.
Nagoya Komaki – Nov 2017
LANDSIDE
The Terminal has a viewing deck and there are also views from the multi storey car park and down by the side of the terminal. You can also see across to the military base.
Mitsubishis production facility for the MRJ is here and anything parked outside should be easily seen.
There is a regular bus service from the main train station.
AIRSIDE
?
HOTELS
None seen
WHAT TO EXPECT
The old airport is now only used by Fuji Dream Airlines. 6 or 7 should be on the ground early morning.
Komaki is also the home to 4 JASDF B767’s. Both times I have been there have been 2 parked on the ramp but others have seen three.
Okinawa – Naha – Jun 2011
LANDSIDE
2 Observation decks allow all movements to be seen.
AIRSIDE
Window views allow all movements to be seen
HOTELS
None seen
WHAT TO EXPECT
Japans holiday resort is the home to Japan Transocean airlines and Ryukyu Air Commuter. Also expect lots of military movements, mainly fighters and nimrods. A right hand seat on arrival should help get these and left for departure. Japan Coastguard should also have some aircraft on the ground.
Sapporo – Mar 2008
LANDSIDE
Usual observation area allows all movements to be seen.
AIRSIDE
Window views allow movements to be seen
HOTELS
None at the airport at this time
WHAT TO EXPECT
Not the busiest place though and very little here that you won’t see elsewhere. 3 based JAL S340’s and possibly a few others is all you will get.