Ashiya

ICAO Code	RJFA/
Last Validated	04-2017
City	Ashiya
Position	33°52'59"N 130°39'10"E
Runway(s)	12/30
Elevation	98 ft

General

Ashiya is Northeast of Fukuoka, near the bridge connecting Kyushu with Honshu. Pilots go here after initial and basic training to complete their training and earn their wings.

Getting There

From Fukuoka

There are two routes. The one along the coast, route 3, looks more logical but has traffic lights but is free. Near the air base, make a left onto the 495 and this will automatically bring you to the South side of the base and the infamous Boatrace stadium.

The Kyushu express way in the direction Yamaguchi is faster normally, but it will cost you some toll obviously. Use exit 5 Wakamiya/Miyawaki, make a left after the toll booth and left again at the traffic lights. You will now over pass the expressway. Pass the 463 and proceed until you reach the 87. Make a left again and keep following this road, it will end in the number 3 road described above. Go left and right onto 495 shortly after.

From Tsuiki

Another possibility is that you will come here from Tsuiki. In that case follow the Kyushu expressway to Fukuoka and take exit 4-1 Kurate/Nogata. After the toll booth, make a right onto the 472. This leads to the 27 along the Onga river all the way to the Southeastern tip of the base.

From Honshu

Lastly, you may visit this place after Iwakuni, Hofu, Ozuki. In that case, after crossing the bridge to Kyushu, take the Urban expressway / Moji. From there take exit 5 onto the Kitakyushu expressway. Keep left at the Kurosaki bypass. This will become road 3. After crossing the Onga river, make a right onto the 27 or drive on and take the 495.

Around the Airport

1East side approach - early A.M.

Only in the very early morning, the sun will force you to find a spot at the busy crossroads of roads 26 and 285. Park at the shop to the South of road 26. You may have to walk a bit south along road 285 and they are still quite high.

2East side approach

The parking lot of the Boatrace and betting palace offers enough space to find a suitable spot for Westerly approaches from around 1000.

3Boatrace tower

During races with powerboats anywhere in Japan, the betting palace of Ashiya boatrace is open. Also, the tower seems to be a regular spot for sightseeing. After entering the building the entrance is on the East side. Once inside, go left through the seperate glassed off area and left again to take the elevator to level 5. From there you have unobstructed views of the ramps and even reading serials in hangars is possible with a strong scope. The glass prevents you to take decent photographs though.

4Northwest side approach - early A.M.

For early morning arrivals when runway 12 is in use, you will have to go for a walk along the paved beach track. Follow the 285/495 counter clockwise around the base, signposted Kitakyushu/Wakamatsu. Go straight when the 495 bends right/North. Make a left upon reaching the shoreline, to Aquasian. Follow the signs to the furthest parking lot - or right up to the poles blocking car traffick. Park, and walk along the shore from there. It is about 2 kilometres to the spot for morning arrivals.

Slightly shorter, only around 1600 metres, is the hike if you approach from the South. Go West from the boatrace stadium and continue straight when the 495 bends left/South. Cross the small bridge on the main road and after 400 metres you will find the gravel track. Park your car at the entrance, out of the way, and start hiking. Keeping right at crossroads should take you to the coast, cross another smaller bridge, and you will be close to the approach spot. The coordinates give the entrance to this path.

5Northwest side approach

Same as spot 4 but you have only have to walk about 900 meters from the parking, or track back a little over 1 km when the sun turns too much into your face, halfway in the morning.

Obviously, taking the alternative route from the South described as alternative for spot 4, will mean a longer hike instead of a shorter one for spot 5!

6Gate

The gate is in a strange spot, seemingly in a normal street, and the gateguards are a bit obscured. To see them, park left of the gate and go into the apartment building there. From their stairwell, most are visible.