> I can only choose one day and I am debating if going on friday, saturday or sunday.
Go on Sunday. Unless the weather forecast is poor. Although obviously that doesn’t help for planning this far in advance.
> Friday because of trials and arrival day.
Arrivals – yes. Rehearsals – less so.
The squadrons which live at the base tend to rehearse during the week. Indeed, they are probably rehearsing on a regular basis already.
Last year on the Friday the flying was limited to one launch by 301 Hikotai, one launch by 501 Hikotai, the 302 Hikotai specials taxiing down the runway, and a rehearsal by the visiting F-15J from Komatsu.
So not great for rehearsals. Plus if you want to catch the arriving aircraft in the air you want to be off the end of the runway, which is less than ideal for catching any display flying.
> Saturday i do not know if worth it.
Everything displays on the Families / Dress Rehearsal day on Saturday. But non-invitees can’t get into the base, the area around it has strong parking and car access restrictions, and as a result, the buses to Ibaraki Airport tend to be very busy.
> Sunday for the airshow
While Sunday will be incredibly busy and crowded, access to the base allows you to view the flying from the eastern side of the runway, which is preferable for the morning, especially if it is sunny. Also Sunday allows you to photograph the static aircraft, and the preserved aircraft in the base museum.
> About Hyakuri air show it seems to me that for Saturday parking is not permitted in public areas around the base.
Correct. Well, that is the intent. And while it isn’t always 100% effective, it is applied with typical Japanese enthusiasm and efficiency.
> Will be there shuttle buses for those who have the ticket for the family day, but these are released for residents in a list of 11 towns around the base.
Invitee parking tends to be on-base on the western and northern sides of the runways, with shuttle buses to the show area.
> I'm afraid no hope for stay outside the base on Saturday.
- Take the first train to Ishioka railway station:
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/
Go straight to the bus stop on the northern side of the tracks. Catch the first bus to Ibaraki Airport.
http://www.ibaraki-airport.net/en/acces ... hioka.html
Walk from there.
Expect a long wait in the queue for a bus back again. Although I got the impression that the bus company was running extra buses that day last year.
- Book a seat on the bus that runs from outside Tokyo station to Ibaraki Airport, and one back again:
http://www.ibaraki-airport.net/en/access/bus/tokyo.html
Assuming they are not already full. Also, to catch the take-offs for the opening flypast, you may want to be at the base a little earlier.
- Go to Ishioka Station and get a taxi (probably from the south side of the tracks). More money, and there is no guarantee there will be taxis, but it should get you as far as the locations where the roads are closed. You then just have to get back again afterwards.
I wouldn’t rely on getting a taxi at Ibaraki Airport terminal, unless you have booked one in advance.
Also I wouldn’t expect to be able to park at Ibaraki Airport on the Saturday. Unless you have a flight ticket or good evidence you are picking someone up. While they have a large (usually free) car park, I expect them to reserve it for passengers, and I have seen attendants checking cars on the way into the car park. But I don’t know for sure.
- Use one of the other bus services to Ibaraki Airport:
http://www.ibaraki-airport.net/en/access/bus.html
Jonathan.
Post all airshow-related items here. Please keep the postings as informative and to-the-point as possible. Refrain from postings with the sole intention to communicate whether you like the show or not, unless accompanied by arguments that can help others.
