Tokorozawa Aviation Museum
Japanese aviation started in Tokorozawa, Saitama prefecture. The Tokorozawa Aviation Museum sits in that exact location today. It tells the story of the country’s connection with flight. Aircraft photographers and history buffs love it. The exhibits are excellent and worth seeing for anyone interested in the subject.
The museum is well-thought-out with several zones. One is for history with mementos and exhibits, and some pilots’ outfits. Another is for laboratory/science. Kids can do hands-on stuff with models (Japanese language ability here is a plus, though). Last is for commercial aviation with a control tower from an actual airport. It’s good stuff, but most people will spend their time in the main exhibit area with the aircraft.
There are lots of helicopters and light planes. You’ll even find one jet trainer from the JASDF (Japan Air Self-Defense Forces). Some displays are on the floor, and some are suspended from the ceiling. A pity you can’t reach the ones high up to look inside. They are all fantastic and in good condition.
As a military and civil aviation enthusiast, I enjoy all the exhibits. Yet, I do wish there was a real warbird in the collection. You’d think this might be the perfect place for a Mitsubishi Zero. Some years ago, they did have one for a short time, but it was on loan from an American institution. A pity it had to be returned.
The museum ranks very high, as the exhibits are excellent. Information on plaques is in Japanese and English (translations can be a little dodgy). It also has a gift shop, a restaurant, and an IMAX theatre. And if you have a smartphone with headphones, you can download an audio guide. That will give you the information to listen to as you walk around instead of reading.
While the museum is small, I doubt aviation buffs will mind as the displays are high quality. Some planes mightn’t be well-known outside of Japan, but it is the perfect place to learn more about them. It would be great if a Zero were in the permanent display. If that happened, the museum could become a bigger tourist attraction.
A brief history of the museum
Tokorozawa was the site of Japan’s first permanent airfield. And the first person to use it was Yoshitoshi Tokugawa. The original single runway he took off and landed on is still visible. It is now part of the huge Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park. And that is why the site was chosen – to tell the story of the country’s beginnings with aviation at the spot where it started.
Tokorozawa aviation museum aircraft displays
They include:
- Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter
- Curtiss C-46 Commando
- Farman III biplane (replica)
- Fuji T-1 jet trainer
- Hughes Kawasaki OH-6J Cayuse helicopter
- Kawasaki KAL-2
- Kawasaki Vertol V-44 helicopter
- NAMC YS-11 turboprop
- North American T-6 Texan
- Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw helicopter
- Spad S.XII biplane (replica)
- Stinson L-5 Sentinel
Photography tips
- In terms of lighting, it is easy to photograph as the museum is reasonably well-lit.
- A wide-angle lens can be useful to capture all the exhibits on the museum’s small floor space.
Other photo spots in the area
- The enormous Tokorozawa Aviation Park.
- Saishou-tei, a tea house, is a short walk from the museum. You can enjoy Japanese tea there and its beautiful garden.
Where is the Tokorozawa Aviation Museum?
Address: 1-13 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
The pin-drop on Google Maps for this location is slightly off, but close enough.
Here it is on a Google map:
Closest train station:
Kōkū-kōen on the Seibu Shinjuku Line. Leave via the East Exit and the museum is about a ten-minute walk away.
Opening hours:
- 9:30 AM to 5 PM (with last entry at 4:30 PM)
- The museum (generally speaking) is closed on Monday. It can be closed on other days, so check the website before going.
Admission fees:
- Exhibition Hall – ¥520
- Movie Theatre – ¥630
- If you buy them together, it is ¥840
Conclusion
The Tokorozawa Aviation Museum is excellent for aviation buffs. While it might lack a big-name aircraft from Japanese history like a Zero fighter, what it has is very good. We hope one might join the collection in the future. Aviation buffs should enjoy this place. I know I do. It’s another interesting Tokyo photo spot. Leave questions and comments below.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
More museum articles:
External related websites:
- Tokorozawa Aviation Museum (official website)