FighterControl

Hi all,
Will be in Tokyo while this show is on. Has anyone got any tips based on previous experience on getting there. Thanks Simon

There is no public parking for the event and the majority of people go by train. There is a station inside the base itself (open 08:00-16:00 I believe). Iruma airshow is well known for the size of the crowds, so the trains are VERY full, with matching queues. If you are doing it by train, my suggestion would be to consider staying north of Iruma, as the bulk of the crowds will come from the Tokyo direction.

If driving, you'll need a plan to find somewhere to park in the town, very early. Caution required where you park, as they take illegal parking very seriously, and it can be unbelievably expensive; I do know someone who got clamped one year.

I think the gates open officially at 08:00, but crowds queue outside hours before that. They usually open the gates a little early and you then queue inside the base before the main public area (i.e. the ramp) is opened at 08:00.

As per, the airshow flying programme is from 09:00 till about 11:45, with just the Blue Impulse on in the afternoon, it closing officially at 15:00

The official airshow info is Here. The airshow programme PDF can be found Here.


Paul.

Thanks Paul, that’s very helpful Cheers Simon

Obviously your best approach to this depends on whether you arrive at Iruma by Car or Train? As stated above the trains from Tokyo out to Iruma are very busy.....& those going back require extensive marshalling of the crowd outside the Tokyo-bound Platform!
If you have a car, to make things easy...……..
Saturday 02nd November 2019. Book into Hotel Heritage Hanno. 357-0038 Saitama, Hanno, Naka-cho 11-21, Japan (Phone: +81429751313)
Private parking is possible on site (reservation is not possible) and costs JPY 800 per day. It is multi-storey parking directly opposite the Hotel, basically walking 200 metres past the Railway Station 'end-of-line' Terminus entrance.
Family Mart under the Hotel or 7-11 out the hotel turn right, (same way as trains go) go up road 150 metres then turn left , its there on the right.
Check time of first train on Sunday....circa 05:10. Allow time to buy Return tickets from vending machine.
Early Sunday 03rd November. "Show-day"
Taking the Seibu to Chichibu railway line from Hanno. Hanno to Inariyama-koen 4 stops (Stop 26 Stop 22) Walk 300 metres down the road & join the queue (still dark!)
When you leave after the Show, the trains back to Hanno are really easy to get on. See the Tokyo-bound Platform & high-five your friends! Retrieve car from parking & zoom off into the night!
NB:- No PRATs were harmed during the copying of this Guide from "Pittman's Radical Aviation Tours"....courtesy of Richard Pittman aka 'Secret Squirrel Hitman'

Thanks Supra for your detailed reply. Cheers Simon