Museum of Aeronautical Sciences in Narita

Japan’s first Museum of Aeronautical Sciences opened in August, 1989, in Narita City close to Narita International Airport. The history and development of Japanese aviation on five floors and the museum grounds outside is well displayed. Inside, there is a full-sized replica of Henri Farman’s biplane which made its maiden flight in Japan on December, 1910. Captain Tokugawa Yoshitaku successfully fly the biplane, which was Japan’s first flight at an altitude of 70m and a distance of 3200m.

A popular exhibit is the DC-8 flight simulator in Playroom 2 which visitors can experience piloting an airplane over Tokyo Bay. Airplane engines are also on display. 

NAMC YS-11 (JA8611) @ Museum of Aeronautical Sciences

Many airplanes such as the YS11 and medium sized Japanese airplanes, first constructed after World War II are on display at the open-air exhibition. Visitors can sit in the cockpits of some of the exhibits including a Mitsubishi Zero fighter and the Bell X-1 Glamorous Glennis.

Museum of Aeronautical Science biplane

Exhibits include:

• N67HB Learjet 25B 25-189
• N642NW Boeing 747212B 21942 (Nose & cockpit section outside with cross section of fuselage inside)
• JA3007 Cessna 195 7870
• JA3117 Piper PA-18150 18-6626 (Shed at back of main building)
• JA3440 Beech E33 CD-1196 (Code 440)
• JA3848 Fuji FA-200160 294
• JA3944 Cessna 172P 172-74964
• JA4177 Mooney M.20M 27-0121
• JA5074 Aero Commander Twin Commander680E 872
• JA5151 Cessna 411A 411A-0280
• JA5159 Beech 56TC TG-77
• JA5238 Cessna 421B 421B-0602
• JA5258 Fuji FA.300 30001
• JA7758 Robinson R22 0961
• JA7990 Kamov Ka-26D 7303804
• JA8611 NAMC YS-11 1001/2001
• JA8628 Mitsubishi MU-2B 005
• JA8711 NAMC YS-11 115 2048 (Nose only in shed at back of main building)
• JA8767 Mitsubishi MU-2G 520 (Nose only in shed at back of main building)
• JA9156 Mitsubishi S-62A M62014
• JA9298 Hughes 369HS 04235 (Shed at back of main building)
• JA9512 Aerospatiale SA.330F 1141
• JA8001 Douglas DC-832 45418 (Cross section of fuselage inside)

Museum of Aeronautical Science Boeing 747

From the observation deck on the fifth floor of the museum, visitors can clearly see Narita Airport’s 4,000 meter runway with a 360 degree panoramic views. Bring your binoculars and enjoy an excellent place to watch aircraft landing and departing, log numbers, and take photographs and videos. Additionally, the museum’s third floor has an outdoor observation deck.

Boeing 747 Section411 at Museum of Aeronautical Sciences

You can also hear actual radio conversation between pilots and the Narita airport control tower in the control room exhibit on the 5th floor and enjoy a light snack at the Museum of Aeronautical Science’s cafe on the fourth floor. Seating is limited but there are a few window seats that offer a great view of Narita’s runways.

While English is limited, displays are excellent so this is a must see for any aviation fan. Kids also really like it with the interactive displays and being able to sit in over 5 different planes. Plan to spend from 1 to 2 hours exploring the museum, even longer if you really love airplanes as this museum is loaded with displays. This video of a JAL Boeing 787 Dreamliner JA828J landing at Narita Runway 34L was taken at the Museum of Aeronautical Sciences’ observation deck, spectacular!

Hours are 10:00-17:00, closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday) and between December 29 to 31. Entrance fee is 500 yen.

The museum is located to the south of Narita airport and the trip by bus takes about 20 minutes with a cost of 200 yen each way. Address is 98 Aza-Miyanoshita, Iwayama, Shibayama-machi

Airport Museum Shuttle buses depart from south wing of Narita Airport Terminal 1 (first floor, bus stop 30) and Terminal 2 (third floor, bus stop 5) for the museum at:
To Museum: 09:35; 11:35; 13:35; 15:35      From Museum: 10:10; 13:10; 14:10; 16:10; 17:10.

photo by: Hyougushi