MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan — 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
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.
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
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.
Communication Strategy & Operations
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan
Misumi-machi, Iwakuni City Yamaguchi Pref., Japan PSC 561 BOX 1868
Phone:0827-79-5551
Email: iwakuni.commstrat@usmc.mil
AloJapan.com