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Once a year, Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Iruma Air Base opens its gates to the public for the Iruma Air Show (入間航空祭). The 2026 edition falls on Tuesday, November 3, a national holiday. You can watch the Blue Impulse aerobatic team, walk right up to fighters and transport aircraft, and pick up food and souvenirs, all without paying for entry.
The catch is the crowd. The rail operator is already asking people to avoid the morning rush, and one gate stops letting people in at noon. Below is what to plan around.
Quick facts
| Event | Iruma Air Show (令和8年度 入間航空祭) |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (national holiday) |
| Hours | 8:00–15:00 (gates open at 8:00) |
| Venue | JASDF Iruma Air Base |
| Address | 2-3 Inariyama, Sayama, Saitama |
| Organizer | JASDF Iruma Air Base |
| Entry | Free, no reservation needed |
| Bags | Checked at the entrance |
| Parking | None for general visitors |
Official page: Iruma Air Base air show information
Blue Impulse and the flying display
The headline act is Blue Impulse (ブルーインパルス), the JASDF aerobatic team. Their blue-and-white jets fly in tight formation and run through a set of dynamic maneuvers. For 2026, their display is scheduled for 11:05–11:50.
Blue Impulse is not the only thing in the air. Several other aircraft are also scheduled to fly, which makes it easy to compare how very different machines move.
| Aircraft | Type |
|---|---|
| Blue Impulse | Aerobatic team |
| C-2 | Transport aircraft |
| YS-11EB | Electronic intelligence aircraft |
| CH-47J | Heavy transport helicopter |
| T-4 | Intermediate trainer |
Aircraft you can see up close
The ground display lets you stand next to aircraft you would normally only see from far away. It is a different experience from the flying display: you get a sense of how big these machines are and how their equipment differs.
From Iruma Air Base itself
| Aircraft | Type |
|---|---|
| C-2 | Transport aircraft |
| U-4 | Multipurpose support aircraft |
| U-125, U-680A | Flight inspection aircraft |
| T-4 | Trainer |
| CH-47J | Transport helicopter |
Visiting from other bases
| Aircraft | Type | Home base |
|---|---|---|
| F-15 | Fighter | Komatsu |
| F-35 | Fighter | Komatsu |
| F-2 | Fighter | Hyakuri |
| E-2D | Airborne early warning aircraft | Misawa |
| C-130H | Transport aircraft | Komaki |
Music, guard dogs, food and goods
If you need a break from looking up, there is more going on around the base.
Expect lines at the food stalls and shops. Give yourself extra time, and drink water regularly through the day. A long day outdoors also drains phones fast; if you want a backup battery without carrying one, our guide to free ChargeSPOT power bank rentals with d VALUE PASS explains how that works.
Getting there: stations and gates
There is no parking for general visitors, so plan on taking the train. Three Seibu stations are within walking distance, and each one is closest to a different gate. Gate names below are English translations, with the Japanese name in brackets.
| Station | Line | Nearest gate | Walk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inariyama-koen (稲荷山公園駅) | Seibu Ikebukuro | North Gate (北門), Inariyama Gate (稲荷山門) | About 5 min |
| Irumashi (入間市駅) | Seibu Ikebukuro | Main Gate (正門) | 10–15 min (sources differ) |
| Sayamashi (狭山市駅) | Seibu Shinjuku | Sayama City Hall Gate (狭山市役所門) | 10–25 min (sources differ) |
Not every gate works all day. This is the part people miss.
| Gate | Entry | Exit |
|---|---|---|
| North Gate and the temporary ticket gate | Until 12:00 | Exit only after 12:00 |
| Main Gate, Inariyama Gate | Use these to enter after 12:00 | Yes |
| Sayama City Hall Gate | All day | All day |
Before you go: checklist
- Entry is free and anyone can come in. No reservation is needed.
- Bags are checked at the entrance, so pack light.
- No parking for general visitors. Come by train.
- Avoid arriving between 8:00 and 10:00 if you can.
- Decide your station and gate in advance, and remember the North Gate stops taking new arrivals at 12:00.
- The program can change or be cancelled because of weather or schedule changes on the day.
- For banned items and on-base rules, read the Iruma Air Base official site before you leave home.
Looking for more free days out? We have also covered the Setagaya Tamagawa fireworks, the Shibaura Canal Festival and its free canal cruises, and the Musashino Art University festival, which is also on the Seibu network.
FAQ
- Is the Iruma Air Show free?
- Yes. Entry is free and no advance reservation is needed. Bags are checked at the entrance.
- What time does Blue Impulse fly?
- The Blue Impulse flying display is scheduled for 11:05–11:50 on November 3, 2026. Times and content may change or be cancelled depending on the weather and how the day runs.
- Can I drive to the air show?
- There is no parking for general visitors. Use public transport.
- Which station is closest?
- Inariyama-koen Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line is about a 5-minute walk to the North Gate and Inariyama Gate.
- Can I enter through the North Gate in the afternoon?
- No. Entry through the North Gate and the temporary ticket gate ends at 12:00, and after that they are exit only. After 12:00, enter through the Main Gate or Inariyama Gate. The Sayama City Hall Gate is open for entry and exit all day.
- When is the best time to arrive?
- Seibu Railway asks visitors to avoid arriving between 8:00 and 10:00 because of crowding.
Details in this article come from the information available on October 27, 2026. Final times, gates and rules are set by Iruma Air Base; please check the official air show page for updates.
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