The Kanoya Air Base Museum, also known as the JMSDF Naval Aviation Museum, is a prominent aviation museum located in Kanoya City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. Established in 1972 and operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the museum offers a comprehensive insight into Japan’s naval aviation history, from its early days through World War II to modern times.
JMSDF Naval Aviation Museum 海上自衛隊鹿屋航空基地史料館
3 Chome-11-2 Nishihara
Kanoya-shi
Kagoshima-ken 893-0064
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/kanoya/toukatu/HPzairyou/1-8siryoukann/1-8siryoukann.html
+81 994-42-0233
Daily 09:00 – 17:00
Aircraft collection
Kawnishi HBK2 T-31 Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
| 6434
9012 6714 9023 6263 4131 T-31 – 4770 4771 4783 8753 8763 8608 4618 22383 6180 9076 8074 8941 | Beech SNB-4 Expeditor Beech T-34A Mentor Beech 65 Queen Air Douglas R4D-6Q Skytrain Fuji KM-2 Grumman S-2F-1 Tracker Kawnishi H8K2 Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien Kawasaki P-2J (front) Kawasaki P-2J Kawasaki P-2J Kawasaki Bell 47G-2A Kawasaki Hughes OH-6J Kawasaki Vertol KV-107-IIA-3A Lockheed P-2V-7 Neptune Mitsibushi A6M5 Zero Sen Model 52 North American SNJ-5 Texan Shin Meiwa US-1 Sikorsky HSS-2A Sea King Sikorsky S-61AH |
Exhibits and Attractions
The museum’s extensive collection includes both indoor and outdoor exhibits:
- Indoor Exhibits: The two-story main building houses approximately 5,500 artifacts. The second floor is dedicated to the history of Japanese naval aviation up to the end of World War II, featuring a restored Mitsubishi A6M5 Model 52 Zero fighter. This area also honors the Kamikaze Special Attack Corps, with photographs and personal belongings of over 800 pilots who perished during the war.
- Outdoor Exhibits: The museum grounds display around 25 aircraft used by the JMSDF, including:
- Kawanishi H8K2 “Emily” Flying Boat: The world’s last surviving example of this World War II-era aircraft.
- Shin Meiwa US-1A: A renowned amphibious search and rescue aircraft.
- Kawasaki P-2J: A maritime patrol aircraft developed in Japan.
- Grumman S2F-1 Tracker: An anti-submarine warfare aircraft.
- Various helicopters: Including models like the Kawasaki Vertol KV-107IIA-3.
Beech 65 Queen Air 6714 JMSDF
Beech SNB-4 Expeditor 6434 JMSDF
Beech T-34A Mentor 9012 JMSDF
Douglas R4D-6Q Skytrain 9023 JMSDF
Fuji KM-2 6263 JMSDF
Grumman S-2F-1 Tracker 4131 JMSDF
Kawasaki Bell 47G-2A 8753 JMSDF
Kawasaki Hughes OH-6J 8763 JMSDF
Kawasaki P-2J 4618 JMSDF
Kawasaki P-2J 4770 JMSDF
Kawasaki P-2J 4771 JMSDF
Kawasaki P-2J 4783 JMSDF
Kawasaki Vertol KV-107-IIA-3A 8608 JMSDF
Kawnishi HBK2 T-31 Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service
Mitsibushi A6M5 Zero Sen Model 52 22383 Imperial Japanese Navy
North American SNJ-5 Texan 6180 JMSDF
Shin Meiwa US-1 9076 JMSDF
Sikorsky HSS-2A Sea King 8074 JMSDF
Sikorsky S-61AH 8941 JMSDF
Photos Phil Glover