From navy airfield to island gateway
Naha’s airfield dates back to 1933, when it was built at Oroku as a Japanese navy airfield. After World War II it was operated by the US military, and it was returned to Japan when Okinawa reverted to Japanese administration in 1972. Tourism has since made it one of the busiest airports in Japan.
What you’ll see on the live cam
The RBC camera captures the full Okinawan aviation scene. Japan Transocean Air, the local JAL group carrier, operates jets to the mainland and to the outer islands, while Ryukyu Air Commuter’s turboprops fly to small islands like Kumejima and Yonaguni. Between them, fighter jets and patrol aircraft from the Air Self-Defense Force base take off on scrambles and training flights.
Two runways by the sea
Since 2020 Naha has two parallel runways, 18L/36R and 18R/36L. The second runway was built offshore, about 1.3 kilometres from the original. Many flights land and depart over the turquoise sea, which makes clear days on the cam especially beautiful.
Best times to watch
- Weekend afternoons: heavy tourist traffic to and from the mainland.
- Golden Week, summer and New Year: peak travel seasons.
- Weekdays: more military flying alongside airline traffic.
