R/C in Japan?

[sfsjkid]

I lived in Japan for about 13 years, though at the time I was not into the R/C hobbies. Now that I'm back in the US and heavily into flying planes/helis, and sometimes cars, I'm curious about R/C in Japan.

I noted that there were many indoor car tracks in Japan, but know nothing about the aircraft end there. Is there a equivalent of an AMA, Tower Hobbies, etc? Are there many clubs and are they expensive to join? When I go back for a visit are there things that I should see?

Any info and/or links you can provide will be appreciated! I can understand English and Japanese, so language is not a problem.

Thank you!

[jtisch]

Where in Japan are you going? I used to live in Osaka and then Okayama so I don't know much outside of those areas. Osaka city is a tough place to fly airplanes, I only flew Helis when I lived there. Okayama is much more rural and easier to find a flying field.

There is an organization similar to the function of AMA (provides insurance) but I can't remember the name of it off the top of my head.

"Rajicon Gijutsu" magazine is a great source of info.

[lhoffman]

I have flown RC in Japan for quite a long time. Locations for flying have been diminishing as infrastructure intrudes, but some clubs have managed to keep their fields, or have moved further out.

If you come to Tokyo you might wish to visit the Futaba model shop located in the Akihabara area, also called "Electric Town." I was there recently and sadly learned the Asami model shop owner has taken ill. Others now run it and it is also located in the Electric Town area.

You might try calling, in Tokyo, 3402-0004, the Ailiken-4 model shop. Run by Kenji Nakamura a very savvy RC guy. Tell him Larry Hoffman sent you and you might get thrown out or a discount on a purchase. :) Ken is a very old dear friend. He might also tell you where the current flying fields are nearest to Tokyo. His shop is close to the Roppongi crossing.

There are many other model shops in this area; the list is quite long. The RC Techniques magazine mentioned above is a good source for finding them.

Hope this post helps - - - - Ciao -

[GWS4CEO]

Not easy to find a place to fly, same in Taiwan. :o

That's why GWS works so hard try to make the RC easy to fly slowly in the parks. :)

Most GWS airplanes do not need a wide space to fly, we made them slow down! :D

[Nobby_Hirano]

Not easy to find a place to fly, same in Taiwan. :o

That's why GWS works so hard try to make the RC easy to fly slowly in the parks. :)

Most GWS airplanes do not need a wide space to fly, we made them slow down! :D

Not easy to find. But it dose not means No space. I wanna enjoy fast plane like a High power over 500W EDF JET. However It's not easy to find ASIAN High Power EDF JET :cool:
Can GWS create new fast & High Power EDF JET products ?
I hope so ! :rolleyes:

[GWS4CEO]

EDF75 fun rootor is under designed for a new high power EDF which able to carry more than 500W! ;)

[bozla]

Hi, I'm new to this forum but I have an ongoing blog. I live in the Okayama area, but I'm onto cars I'm afraid. I heard that there's a flying meet in Kazaoka on the weekend (tomorrow) though. I'm afraid I will be racing.

However, blog is here (http://www.onlyrc.blogspot.com)

[GWS4CEO]

Not easy to find. But it dose not means No space. I wanna enjoy fast plane like a High power over 500W EDF JET. However It's not easy to find ASIAN High Power EDF JET :cool:
Can GWS create new fast & High Power EDF JET products ?
I hope so ! :rolleyes:Give me more detail how you like 500EDF JET to be? :rolleyes:

[bozla]

Its here now. www.wirelessvoodoo.com (http://wirelessvoodoo.com) 日本語もあります!よろしくね!

[ssatoru]

Its here now. www.wirelessvoodoo.com (http://wirelessvoodoo.com) 日本語もあります!よろしくね!
Wow, very impressive drifting video on your blog. Thank you for sharing! Are you in Kurashiki? I grew up in Tamano. I miss Okayama....

Satoru

[bozla]

Yeah, I'm in Kurashiki. The video is not mine. Its SG drifters from Singapore. I sometimes race in Tamano! They have the Tamiya GP at omocha ookoku but I race sometimes at an RC shop called Platopia.

[Spadkun]

Getting harder and harder to find places to fly :(
One of the guys in my local club has a webpage, please have a look, you might even find a few shots of my ugly mug!
http://members.jcom.home.ne.jp/1734372801/

[airbourne in japan]

i live in Akita, NE Japan. most people consider this country. i started flying rc nearly 3 years ago as i've had a full scale pilot's licence for 20 years but when i moved to Japan, private flying doesn't exist. there was a univercity glider club here until 3 years ago, but apparently (unsuprisingly) a guy got killed and it closed down. i did start paragliding for a year, but got fed up with it as the wind has to be really clam for a beginner. last year i found the local ultralight club and have been doing lessons for a year now, but i don't really like it. anyway, back to rc. there were 2 hobby shops in town, 1 (which was crap) had a club with a moderate field and no members except me but this has closed down. i used to fly at the diused glider club, but nearby i found the other club, which has an excellent field and i have been flying there for a year now. i can only fly during the week and the other guys fly on sunday, so i have it all to myself. i've gone a bit potty on rc and have bought 100 planes. that would pay for a lot of full scale glider or plane time but alas. hey Mr Lin, i would really like to get a gws fast ducted fan plane. do you want any testers ? hey Spadkun, i'm also English hahaha

[jc_allais]

I have been looking for the Aileken4 shop, but they have apparently moved. Anyone knows where they are now, if they are still opened ?

Their website is down too...

[ssatoru]

Aileken4 shop in Roppongi? I think they have closed a few years ago.

Satoru

[Xircom]

anyone knows a place to fly helis in Tokyo central without having a car ? Live in Shinagawa and visit Rokugodote (Tamagawa river) 20 min by train, that's best I could find, but of course only early morning when no people are there yet. About the shops, I have found out on the internet Little Bellanca and Aircraft Japan are probably best, for Akihabara I use to go to Champ, Supa-Rajikon and Rakusei.

[airbourne in japan]

try the Imperial Palace hahahaha

[duceduc]

I am also planning to move to Japan by the end of 2007. Can anyone provide some info/links to some flying fields around Tokyo? I strictly fly Heli. Thank you.

[seric]

There are not many places to fly in Tokyo, heli or otherwise. I fly my heli at a local park early in the morning or late in the evenings, but I more than an hour out of Tokyo proper.

[duceduc]

There are not many places to fly in Tokyo, heli or otherwise. I fly my heli at a local park early in the morning or late in the evenings, but I more than an hour out of Tokyo proper.

I figure as much. That is what I might have to do with my electric heli. I am assuming yours is an electric aswell flying early in the mornings. Thx.

[seric]

I fly the SJM400. The problem with the local park is its not that big, so I can only do tight flying. If your willing to travel a bit there are some places that you can fly. I was in Nagoya recently and about 30 minutes south of Nagoya there is a an actual Heli field for club members. There are probably some of those on the out skirts of Kantou area as well.

[andrew100]

Hi,

I'm currently live in toyota city and looking for a heli club to join, does anyone know of a heli in or near toyota city? or even a flying sites?

Regards,

Andrew100

[rorywquin]

I'm also moving over soon and would love to find somewhere to fly near Tokyo. There are several shops selling reasonable size aircraft and I can't believe that they are for export only - somebody local must be flying them. Maybe Gajinn are not welcome, but knowing the rc flying guys I doubt that.

[seric]

@andrew100, There is a heli field down in Tokoname, by Handa. I have been to field once and it was a bit hard to find, but its pretty big and they keep the weeds down pretty good. It belong to a club near Nagoya but I have long since lost the information on it. If your really after the information i'm sure I could dig it up again.


Hi,

I'm currently live in toyota city and looking for a heli club to join, does anyone know of a heli in or near toyota city? or even a flying sites?

Regards,

Andrew100

[spaceadept]

Hi guys.I just bought a sweet nitro blaster buggy by Tamiya and a tnx 5.2 truck.Im running them here i Saitama Japan.Can anyone help me find a used 1/5 scale car or truck that I can buy in japan to avoid shipping from somewhere? thanks for the help everyone.Spaceadept.

[Spadkun]

You could try the Yahoo Japan auction

http://list5.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/25940-category.html

You can translate the pages with Google tools.
Take care , as the auction is where a lot of people get rid of their junk :eek: