Have you ever wanted to get up close to Japan’s most powerful military aircraft? Imagine standing just meters away as their engines roar to life, feeling the vibrations in your chest. Then, just minutes later, watch them perform jaw-dropping passes directly overhead.
That was the incredible scene at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Iruma Open Day 2019. With my camera in hand, I navigated the massive crowds, ready for what I knew would be an aviation photographer’s dream.
Aircraft appearing at JASDF Iruma Air Show 2019
- Boeing CH-47 Chinook
- British Aerospace 125
- F-4EJ Phantom
- F-15J KAI
- Kawasaki C-1
- Kawasaki C-2
- Kawasaki T-4 jet trainer
- Lockheed C-130 Hercules
- Mitsubishi F-2
- NAMC YS-11
- Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
Military legends: Eagle, Viper, & Phantom
When the gates opened, a tidal wave of people made a beeline for the stars of the static display. They were the iconic F-4 Phantom II, the sleek Mitsubishi F-2, and the formidable F-15 Eagle. I joined the surge, eager to see these legends for myself.
With over 200,000 people attending, getting a clean shot was challenging. Crowds swarmed around the aircraft, making photography a game of patience. I had to wait for a small gap to open in the sea of people and move quickly to capture the shot before it vanished.
Photographing high-speed passes at Iruma
After photographing the aircraft on the ground, it was time to turn my attention to the sky. The aerial displays were non-stop. One moment, jets ripped past in thunderous, high-speed passes.
A heavy-lift Chinook demonstrated its firefighting prowess, dropping a cascade of water on a mock fire. The crowd gasped as Kawasaki T-4s buzzed the runway, followed by the silent, graceful descent of paratroopers.
Jets were parked less than a hundred meters from where I stood. When their engines spooled up for takeoff, the noise was immense, a raw, physical force only they could produce. Far from being a nuisance, the thunderous sound was a part of the exhilarating atmosphere.
Aviation photography tips
But one thing surprised me more than any aircraft: the sheer number of cameras. It seemed every other person was armed with a telephoto lens the size of a cannon. My trusty 55-200mm lens felt miniature in comparison!
The aviation enthusiasts who surrounded me had invested heavily in camera gear. It was a clear sign of the passion this event inspires. Take the largest lens you have but don’t forget something shorter to shoot the static displays.
Exploring the hangars
The hangars were filled with displays of parachutes, dissected aircraft engines, and other high-tech equipment. For the patient people, they lined up to sit in the cockpit of a Kawasaki T-4 jet trainer.
While the queue was too long for me, the huge grins on the kids’ faces as they emerged from the cockpit told a story.
How to get to Iruma Air Base from Tokyo
The air show was at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Iruma Air Base in Saitama Prefecture. For more information, consult the official Iruma Air Base website.
By train, it takes about an hour from central Tokyo to get to the base. On most days, few people are on them. But for this event, the carriages will be packed beyond capacity. Be prepared for crowds.
Final thoughts & tips for the future
JASDF Iruma Open Day 2019 was a brilliantly entertaining event. My only real complaint was the chaotic exit, a result of poor crowd management and a lack of clear pathways. A few more staff directing traffic would have made a world of difference.
Hopefully, that’s something they can improve for next time. Other than that, the show was spectacular. I can’t wait for the next one. To see more, look at [Iruma Air Show 2024: Canon R5 Field Test].
If you want to see some of Japan’s ground forces, read [JGSDF Public Information Center]. Those photos have heavy metal in them!
My photography gear for this shoot
- Camera body: Fujifilm X-T2
- Lenses:
- Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
- Fujifilm XF 55-200 mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS
I’d be happy to hear from you so leave questions and comments below. If you want to learn more about the history of aircraft in Japan, look at [Tokorozawa Aviation Museum Photo Guide].
