Press Releases

Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Fleet Air Wing 31 and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni provide the following update regarding our joint event, the JMSDF/MCAS Iwakuni Friendship Day, scheduled for May 3, 2026.

The event official website – www.iwakuniairshow.com

The event official Facebook – www.facebook.com/MCASIwakuniAirshow

The event HOTLINE – Tel: 0827 (79) 6227 for general information, 0827 (22) 3181 ext. 6180 or ext. 6181 for specific inquiries in Japanese language

ENTRY GUIDELINE and NO PARKING POLICY

• Visitors are requested to present I.D. at security screening areas.
• Public transportation is strongly encouraged due to extremely limited parking spots in the local area. NO PARKING AVAILABLE ON BASE FOR PRIVATELY OWNED CARS AND BICYCLES. Neither motorcycles nor mopeds. Taxi is not allowed to access the base during the event.
• Any item deemed unsafe by security personnel is subject to restrictions. Check the list of prohibited items on base.

GATE HOURS

• Access to all event venues will begin at 7:00 a.m., for all entry points.

BASE ACCESS

1. Pedestrians
   • Main Gate Base Entry (6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
     The single point of entry for pedestrian traffic is the MAIN GATE. From 6:00 a.m., pedestrians go through security and access the venue on foot. The venue is approximately 15-20 minutes’ walk from the Main Gate.
   • Signage is available to guide visitors from the JR Iwakuni Train Station to the event, which is an approximately 30-minute walk to Main Gate.
   • A reminder. No bicycle parking on base this year. 

2. Event Shuttle Bus passengers
   • The event shuttle bus is available at a limited capacity from the JR Iwakuni Station.
   • Shuttle Bus Base Entry (6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
     The event shuttle bus can enter through North Gate beginning at 6:00 a.m. The shuttle bus drop-off is an approximately 10-minute walk from the venue. Passengers can go through security beginning at 6:00 a.m.

3. Tour Bus Passengers
   • Large-sized Commercial Tour Bus Entry (3:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
     C-Gate will open for large-sized, commercial tour (charter) buses’ arrival/staging at 3:30 a.m. and access to the installation at 6:00 a.m. Tour bus parking is adjacent to the venue. Passengers will not be able to go through security or enter the venue until 7:00 a.m. C-Gate will close for inbound traffic with passengers at 1:00 p.m. Visitors should note that inbound entry ends at 1:00 p.m. Visitors should not return to their tour bus if they intend to continue enjoying the event.
   • Commercial tour buses without passengers will not be authorized to enter the base. No re-entry of commercial tour buses.
   • Tour buses, chartered and arranged by commercial travel agencies, are allowed to drive in on base but charter buses are entirely unaffiliated with MCAS Iwakuni.

FLIGHTLINE VENUE ENTRY (Opens at 7:00 a.m.)

• Pedestrians and Shuttle Bus Passengers
  Visitors on foot or from Shuttle Bus can enter the event venue beginning at 7:00 a.m. Until then, visitors will remain in a pre-event area with portable toilet access.
• Tour Bus Passengers
  Visitors arriving on commercial tour buses may begin going through security at the venue at 7:00 a.m. Portable toilets are available at the tour bus parking lot.

BASE DEPARTURE

• Vendors will stop service at 4:30 p.m. with all air show displays closing at 5:00 p.m., at which time, visitors are asked to proceed immediately for their departure.
• Pedestrians
  Main Gate will be outbound-only beginning at 3:00 p.m.
• Event Shuttle Bus Stop
  North Gate will be outbound-only beginning at 3:00 p.m. Shuttle bus capacity is not guaranteed to passengers that arrived on the shuttle bus. MCAS Iwakuni does not guarantee the operation of the shuttle bus. If shuttle bus service stops, visitors may have to walk 10 minutes back to the venue in order to depart via Main Gate as pedestrians.
• Commercial Tour Bus
  The traffic of Commercial Tour Buses will be outbound-only beginning at 1:00 p.m.

100 PERCENT I.D. CHECK and SECURITY POLICY

• MCAS Iwakuni requires all visitors to bring valid photo identification.
• For Japanese Guests
  • Types of acceptable identification for Japanese guests 18 years and older include a Japanese passport, driver's license, as well as the Individual Number Card known as My Number Card.
  • Children the age of 12 and younger will not need to provide identification, however, they will be required to be accompanied by an adult.
  • Teenagers (13 yrs to 17 yrs) who are Japanese citizens, are required to present whether they are accompanied by an adult. Health insurance qualification is also acceptable for the teenagers.
  • Guests aged 13 and older who do not bring the prescribed identification will be denied entry to the installation.
• For Non-Japanese Guests
  • All non-Japanese guests, who are foreign residents of Japan, must bring both a passport and a residence card (Zairyu Card) to gain access to the air station. This policy applies to all ages.
  • All non-Japanese guests, who are not residents of Japan, must bring a passport. This policy applies to all ages.
  • The air station always reserves the right to deny access to anyone for any reason.  Installation access is granted on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed.

SECURITY POLICY

• All visitors to the air station must pass through a security screening checkpoint prior to entry. The air station reserves the right to deny access to anyone for any reason. Guests who refuse to submit to screening may be refused access to FD-26. If selected for additional security screening, guests may have their photo taken and be subject to further questioning.
• No animals are allowed in the venue.
• Bags must be able to be carried/kept on person, at all times, and not left unattended.
• Please refrain from bringing oversized bags/containers. All bags are subject to search. Oversized bags may slow down the screening process when coming on to the base.
• All restricted items found during security screening will be confiscated and not returned. Check the list of prohibited items on base. Restricted items include, but are not limited to:
  • Alcohol beverages
  • Sunshades, personal tents
  • Pets and animals
  • BBQ grills
  • Glass bottles
  • Drones
  • Kickboard, rollerblades
  • Narcotic drugs, including marijuana (to include CBD products), and paraphernalia
  • Knives, weapons of any nature
  • Firearms, explosives, or fireworks　　
  • Replica weapons and firearms
  • Dangerous instruments - any object/weapon having the capability of inflicting bodily harm on another person. A small personal cigarette lighter is allowed.
  • Selfie sticks/monopods and tripods exceeding 48 inches or 1.2 meters when fully extended
  • Wireless or handheld transmitter/receiver radio devices
  • Oversized beach parasols which typically measure beyond 6 feet in diameter. A handheld, personal umbrellas, typically ranging from 33 to 35 inches, are allowed.

NOTES and ADVISORIES:

• SMOKING/VAPING is prohibited in the aircraft static display area. Smoking/vaping is only allowed in designated smoking pits aboard the installation.
• OFFICIAL MILITARY UNIFORMS are only to be worn by active duty servicemembers. Visitors should refrain from wearing military-style or any official-duty uniforms aboard the installation during Friendship Day unless they are on official duty for safety and avoid confusion.
• POLITICAL ACTIVITIES RESTRICTED – Political activities, unauthorized “field tours,” gatherings, speeches, displays, signs and distribution of political leaflets and materials are restricted. Political leaflets are not allowed on base. Please follow the instructions provided by uniformed personnel at all times while on base. We always reserve the right to remove anyone that violates our security and safety standards or interfering with an otherwise enjoyable experience for everyone.
• The event venue is equipped with toilets for people with wheelchairs. Additional transportation from the Main Gate to the venue site for handicap personnel will not be available.
• SAFETY TIPS – It is important to keep safety in mind while attending Friendship Day.
• Keep hydrated.
• Wear sunblock/use hats, or personal umbrellas.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Ensure your children carry a sheet of paper with contact information (guardian’s name and cell phone number) in their pocket in case they become lost at the event.
• A wristband is available at each screening area. Upon entering the venue, the air station will provide young children with a wristband on which parents can write their contact information. This is designed to assist reuniting parents and lost children.
• Have a contingency plan and designated meeting spot with your group.