 Most viewed - Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum 岐阜かかみがはら航空宇宙博物館 |
Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum has both outdoor and indoor exhibits of civilian and military airplanes, prototypes, replicas, and scale models (especially rockets). 450 viewsOpened in March 1996 near Japan Air Self-Defense Force Gifu Airbase. It's in a park-like area with a large hangar-type building filled with planes.
This is the entrance to the museum grounds. Nearest train station is Kakamigahara Shiyakusho-mae Station (Meitetsu Kakamigahara Line). Details below.
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Full-size replica of Mitsubishi A6M1 Zero fighter prototype. The Zero was carrier based and used for the attack on Pearl Harbor. 十二試艦上戦闘機（「零戦」試作機）（三菱A6M1） （1/1模型）339 views
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NAL Asuka STOL Research Aircraft (National Aerospace Laboratory) flew during 1986–1989. 低騒音STOL実験機「飛鳥」295 views
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Mitsubishi T-2 Blue Impulse aerobatic jet. T-2高等練習機280 views
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About the Mitsubishi A6M1 Zero fighter prototype. The Zero fighter first flew at Kakamigahara. About 10,000 were made.247 views
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Mitsubishi T-2 Control-Configured Vehicle (CCV) from 1972. Research jet. T-2CCV研究機239 views
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Salmson 2A2 (1/1 scale model). 乙式一型偵察機（サルムソン2A2）236 views
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NAL Asuka STOL Research Aircraft 低騒音STOL実験機「飛鳥」234 views
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H3 rocket (1/20 scale model). H3ロケット（1/20模型）233 views
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There's a bus stop in front of the museum. However, the bus is infrequent, so be sure to check the bus schedule when planning a visit.233 views
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Rear of Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien fighter.232 views
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NASA photo of Kounotori. Kounotori was launched on a rocket, released into space, maneuvered to the ISS, then grabbed by the ISS’ robotic arm for docking. 230 viewsAfter the cargo was unloaded, Kounotori was filled with ISS waste materials and dropped to Earth to burn up during re-entry.
“Kounotori” is the Japanese word for stork which can mean “bird of happiness.” Because of this auspicious meaning, “Kounotori” became the nickname of the It certainly was a “bird” delivering happiness and important things. The kounotori stork is endangered in Japan.
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Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien fighter229 views
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X1G1B High-Lift Research Aircraft based on Saab 91B Safir. 229 views
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Mars rover nicknamed "Curiosity." Landed on Mars in Aug. 2012. キュリオシティ（1/1模型）229 views
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About Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien fighter. 三式戦闘機二型「飛燕」（川崎キ61-II改）228 views
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228 views
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Mitsubishi T-2 Blue Impulse aerobatic jet.228 views
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NAL Asuka STOL Research Aircraft227 views
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Kakamigahara Shiyakusho-mae Station platform.227 views
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In March 2018, after undergoing major renovations and floor expansion, the museum reopened with a much larger floor space and more exhibits. The museum's name also added "Gifu" to indicate Gifu Prefecture's co-operation and ownership.226 viewsThe museum's nickname is "Sorahaku" (空宙博). As shown by this map, there are outdoor planes, one large building, and parking lots.
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YS-11A, Japan's first passenger plane built after World War II. In service from the 1960s to 1995. Displayed at Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum.226 views
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Front of Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien fighter.226 views
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Kawasaki KAT-1, training plane dated 1954.226 views
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Gear of Mitsubishi T-2 Blue Impulse aerobatic jet.226 views
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Cross section of Hayabusa II re-entry capsule. はやぶさ2226 views
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Mitsubishi T-2 Blue Impulse aerobatic jet.225 views
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NAL Asuka STOL Research Aircraft 低騒音STOL実験機「飛鳥」225 views
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Japanese astronauts starting with Akiyama Toyohiro, the first Japanese national to go into space in Dec. 1990. He went to Russia's Mir space station via Soyuz rocket. His trip was sponsored by his company TBS where he was a TV journalist.225 views
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Fuji FA-200 Aero Subaru monoplane from the 1960s.224 views
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224 views
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NAL Asuka STOL Research Aircraft224 views
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NAL Asuka STOL Research Aircraft224 views
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223 views
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NAL Asuka STOL Research Aircraft223 views
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Inside Japan's Kibo module (replica) for International Space Station (ISS). The module is used to conduct various experiments in space.223 views
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Scale model of the Super-Kamiokande and a photomultiplier tube that detects light from Cherenkov radiation. The Super-Kamiokande has 13,000 of these photomultiplier tubes.223 views
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About Horikoshi Jiro who designed the Zero fighter and later the YS-11.222 views
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Mitsubishi-Lockheed F-104J Starfighter222 views
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Fuji T-1B221 views
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221 views
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Entering the space museum on the second floor.220 views
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H-II rocket and payload. H-IIロケット フェアリング220 views
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Doi Takeo designed many of the Japanese Army's planes.219 views
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UF-XS Experimental Flying Boat219 views
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Passenger jets that made long-distance travel practical. Thanks to the revolutionary jet engine. Upper photo is a DC-6 prop plane that first flew in 1947 and which JAL used for its first overseas flight. Lower photo is a DC-8 jet plane first flew in 1958.219 views
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218 views
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Mitsubishi T-2 T-2高等練習機218 views
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Mohri Mamoru became the first Japanese astronaut to be sent by Japan's space program in Sept. 1992. The first Japanese astronaut to travel on the US Space Shuttle (Endeavour) where he worked in Spacelab-J.218 viewsThe third Japanese in space was the first Japanese and first Asian woman in space, Mukai Chiaki, a cardiovascular surgeon.
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Mitsubishi T-2 Control-Configured Vehicle (CCV)217 views
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NAL Asuka STOL Research Aircraft217 views
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NAL Asuka STOL Research Aircraft217 views
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Improved aircraft technologies and materials have improved the plane's range and efficiency.217 views
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Wright Flyer in the same room as another plane. 乙式一型偵察機（サルムソン2A2）216 views
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216 views
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216 views
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Mitsubishi-Lockheed F-104J Starfighter216 views
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Mitsubishi T-2 Blue Impulse aerobatic jet.216 views
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KoToNo Limited also placed 4th at the 16th Birdman Rally at Lake Biwa in Aug. 1992.216 views
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Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien fighter. 三式戦闘機二型「飛燕」（川崎キ61-II改）215 views
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Outdoor exhibits of planes. Although the museum is next to Gifu Airbase, the airbase and runway cannot be seen from the museum.214 viewsMuseum hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (till 6:00 pm on weekends and national holidays), closed on the first Tuesday of the month (open if it's a national holiday and closed the next day instead) and Dec. 28 to Jan. 2. 屋外実機展示場
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Full-size replica of Mitsubishi A6M1 Zero fighter prototype. 十二試艦上戦闘機（「零戦」試作機）（三菱A6M1） （1/1模型）213 views
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213 views
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Cygnus powered sailplane.213 views
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Mars rovers (full-size replicas). Foreground is 1/10 scale model of IKAROS (Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated by Radiation Of the Sun). 火星探査車マーズ・エクスプロレーション・ローバー （1/1模型）213 views
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The YS-11A is the only plane where the public could go inside, but it was closed due to coronavirus in 2021.212 views
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Museum's big, blue, two-story building is like an airplane hangar. The first floor has over 30 retired airplanes and replicas. The second floor has space-related exhibits. Expect to spend at least a few hours.212 views
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Chronology of Japan's aviation history from 1903. In 1910, the first powered flights in Japan were conducted with planes purchased from Germany and France. Japan learned about planes from the West.212 views
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F-104J Starfighter212 views
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NAL Asuka STOL Research Aircraft was used to experiment with short takeoffs and landings. 低騒音STOL実験機「飛鳥」212 views
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NASA astronaut spacesuit and propulsion unit (actual size). 宇宙服と宇宙遊泳噴射装置（1/1模型）212 views
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Mitsubishi T-2 Control-Configured Vehicle (CCV)211 views
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The space-related exhibits are on the 2nd floor.211 views
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Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien fighter was used by the Japanese Army. 三式戦闘機二型「飛燕」（川崎キ61-II改）210 views
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Main display hall of airplanes at Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum. A lineup of post-World War II aircraft.210 views
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UF-XS Experimental Flying Boat. Note that none of the planes can be entered. UF-XS実験飛行艇210 views
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N-62 Eaglet light aircraft from 1964. By Nihon University and Itochu.210 views
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Kakamigahara Shiyakusho-mae Station (Meitetsu Kakamigahara Line) is the closest to Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum. Kakamigahara Line runs between Meitetsu-Gifu Station in the city of Gifu with Shin-Unuma Station. 各務原市役所前駅210 views
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La Rhone propeller engine Type C commonly used in planes from 1910 to 1920.209 views
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UF-XS Experimental Flying Boat based on Grumman UF-1 Albatross. UF-XS実験飛行艇209 views
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Mitsubishi-Lockheed F-104J Starfighter dating from 1963. Retired in 1986.209 views
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US Space Shuttle (1/25 scale model). スペースシャトル（1/25模型）209 views
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208 views
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Flight simulator208 views
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Fuji T-3 trainer plane. There was steps to see the cockpit. T-3コックピット搭乗体験207 views
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H-II two-stage rocket made with 100% Japanese technologies.207 views
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Fureai Bus Schedule from Kakamigahara Shiyakusho-mae Station. Only once an hour. The museum has the latest bus schedule in Japanese: http://www.sorahaku.net/access/ ふれあいバス207 views
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NASA astronaut spacesuit and propulsion unit (actual size). 宇宙服と宇宙遊泳噴射装置（1/1模型）206 views
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After nine launches and cargo spacecrafts, Kounotori was finally retired in Aug. 2020. Kounotori will be replaced with a new cargo spacecraft to launch in 2022. Nickname unknown as of this writing. 205 views
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About the YS-11A.204 views
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204 views
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UF-XS Experimental Flying Boat (rear).203 views
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H-IIB rocket that took the Kounotori cargo spacecraft to the ISS.203 views
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1/135 scale model of KAGRA's Super Kamiokande gravitational wave observatory built underground to detect neutrino, dark matter, and gravitational waves. Cylindrical stainless steel tank about 40 m in height and diameter, filled with ultrapure water.203 views
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Prop of Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien fighter.202 views
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X1G1B High-Lift Research Aircraft202 views
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Kawasaki XOH-1 wooden mockup helicopter cockpit.202 views
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202 views
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Full-scale model of Hayabusa II re-entry capsule. はやぶさ2202 views
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L-R: Aircraft mechanic's uniform, fighter pilot's flight suit, and pilot's jacket. Dating from the 1930s-40s.201 views
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Fuji FA-200 Aero Subaru monoplane from the 1960s.201 views
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Rear of NAL Asuka STOL Research Aircraft.201 views
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Front of YS-11A. 日本航空機製造 YS-11A-500R 中型輸送機200 views
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Lockheed T-33A engine exhaust.200 views
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US Space Shuttle (1/25 scale model). スペースシャトル（1/25模型）200 views
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Sorahaku Cafe. No need a museum ticket to dine at this cafe. Curry, ramen, desserts, coffee, soft drinks, etc. Menu here.200 views
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US-1A 9078 rescue plane that flew from 1983 to 1995. 新明和US-1A救難飛行艇199 views
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Airplane radiator to cool the engine.199 views
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Lockheed T-33A, dated 1956. Built by Kawasaki and retired in 1994. Brought to the museum by helicopter from Gifu Airbase.199 views
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Fuji T-3 trainer plane from 1974. During certain times, visitors can sit in the cockpit for photos. T-3コックピット搭乗体験199 views
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199 views
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US astronaut spacesuit helmet.199 views
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Japan's Kibo module (full-scale replica) for International Space Station (ISS). 日本実験棟「きぼう」199 views
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Inside Japan's Kibo module (replica) for International Space Station (ISS).199 views
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If you're coming from Meitetsu Nagoya Station, you can transfer at Inuyama Station to get on the Kakamigahara Line.199 views
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198 views
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Mitsubishi T-2 Blue Impulse aerobatic team jet from 1981. Retired in 1995. The Blue Impulse aerobatic team gave air shows at Gifu Airbase.198 views
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Toward the back of the hall are helicopters. This is Kawasaki-Bell 47G3B-KH4 from 1971.198 views
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Flight simulator (Closed when I was there.)198 views
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川崎 ハ140エンジン（「飛燕」二型搭載）197 views
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F-104J Starfighter cockpit.197 views
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Rockets from around the world. Saturn V (Apollo program) was by far the largest.197 views
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Section S5 is about space probes to learn more about the origin of space and life.197 views
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Placards autographed by Japanese astronauts displayed in the cafe.197 views
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Very impressive lineup of planes on both sides. A few also hang from the ceiling.196 views
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196 views
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UF-XS Experimental Flying Boat UF-XS実験飛行艇196 views
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Lockheed T-33A cockpit.196 views
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Research jet. T-2CCV研究機196 views
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HYPER CHick "KoToNo Limited" is a pedal-powered plane flown by a woman. It was named after the woman pilot, HORI Kotono. Set a new record in July 1992 in Shizuoka Prefecture. 196 views
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H-II rocket. H-IIロケット フェアリング196 views
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195 views
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Fuji T-1B from 1960. First jet aircraft made in Japan.195 views
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Epsilon rocket.195 views
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Japanese astronauts from 1990 to present day.195 views
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Kawasaki-Vertol KV-107IIA-4 helicopter that was used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force from 1973 to 1995. 川崎 V107-Aヘリコプター194 views
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Rear of P-2J.194 views
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All the planes which first flew in Japan here in Kakamigahara.194 views
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Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien fighter194 views
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Kawasaki KAL-1 194 views
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Mitsubishi T-2 Blue Impulse aerobatic jet.194 views
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Mitsubishi T-2 Control-Configured Vehicle (CCV) Research jet. T-2CCV研究機194 views
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NAL Asuka STOL Research Aircraft194 views
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Too bad the YS-11A was closed due to the pandemic. 日本航空機製造 YS-11A-500R 中型輸送機193 views
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View of Salmson 2A2's tail underneath. It's hollow. 乙式一型偵察機（サルムソン2A2）193 views
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Japanese aviation industry pioneers.193 views
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Chronology of Japan's aviation history until 1945. Models of the Zero fighter and Hien fighter displayed.193 views
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Airplane design drafting table and implements.193 views
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193 views
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Nose of Mitsubishi T-2 Blue Impulse aerobatic jet.193 views
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Hayabusa II Mission Simulator. Hayabusa II brought back to Earth asteroid samples from near-Earth asteroid 162173 Ryugu in Dec. 2020.193 views
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Outdoor Event Tent.192 views
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About the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien fighter.192 views
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BK117P-5 helicopter192 views
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Model of International Space Station (ISS).192 views
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Front of Salmson 2A2. 乙式一型偵察機（サルムソン2A2）191 views
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Chronology of Japan's aviation history.191 views
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Japanese astronaut Yamazaki Naoko went aboard US Space Shuttle Discovery in April 2010 to the International Space Station (STS-131). More photos of her and her mission here.191 viewsShe is also the Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum's ambassador.
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P-2J was an anti-submarine patrol aircraft. Detects and attacks submarines. Flew from 1979 to 1994. 川崎P2-J対潜哨戒機190 views
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Wright Brothers190 views
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Kawasaki-Hughes OH-6J helicopter from 1974.190 views
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Japan's Kibo experiment module (full-scale replica) for International Space Station (ISS). We can go inside. 日本実験棟「きぼう」190 views
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The Wright Flyer (actual size replica) is one of the first airplanes you see. ライトフライヤー189 views
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About the Wright Flyer.189 views
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Chronology of Japan's aviation history. The model on the right is the Type 92 Heavy Bomber that first flew in 1931.189 views
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Sister aviation museums overseas.189 views
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Rear of P-2J. Next to the outdoor planes is a grassy lawn for kids to run around. No balls, frisbees, or tents allowed. 川崎P2-J対潜哨戒機188 views
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Inside Japan's Kibo module (replica) for International Space Station (ISS).188 views
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Salmson 2A2 was built in Gifu under a license from France. Production started in 1922 by Kawasaki Dockyard Co., Ltd., starting Japan's aviation industry. 乙式一型偵察機（サルムソン2A2）187 views
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All the planes which first flew in Japan here in Kakamigahara.187 views
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Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien fighter 三式戦闘機二型「飛燕」（川崎キ61-II改）187 views
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187 views
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Japan's rockets, all unmanned. Cutout of Itokawa Hideo, aeronautical engineer.187 views
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About the Salmson 2A2.186 views
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Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien fighter186 views
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Engine used on the Hien fighter. 川崎 ハ140エンジン（「飛燕」二型搭載）186 views
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Fuji T-1B186 views
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Mitsubishi A6M1 Zero fighter prototype replica. 十二試艦上戦闘機（「零戦」試作機）（三菱A6M1） （1/1模型）185 views
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185 views
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Fuji T-1B185 views
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Passenger planes of the future. JAXA is developing a hybrid plane using electricity.185 views
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184 views
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On the International Space Station (ISS), Japan's Kibo module is attached on the right and the Kounotori cargo vehicle is attached on the bottom.184 viewsKounotori was developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA or Japan’s NASA) and used from Sept. 2009 to Aug. 2020 as expendable cargo spacecraft for delivering supplies and experiments to the International Space Station.
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Small exhibition about commercial aviation.184 views
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Entrance to the museum is here on the left side of the building. Admission charged. (Free admission on Nov. 3, Culture Day.)183 views
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Kawasaki-Hughes OH-6J helicopter. I remember seeing this in movies.183 views
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Fuji FA-200182 views
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Flight simulator181 views
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On the first floor, a small exhibition about commercial aviation.181 views
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US-1A 9078180 views
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US-1A 9078. These outdoor planes are painted anew every several years.179 views
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179 views
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178 views
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Kawasaki KAT-1178 views
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Lockheed T-33A178 views
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Fuji T-1B176 views
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F-104J Starfighter jet exhaust.175 views
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Kawasaki KAL-1 from 19523, the first plane designed and produced in Kakamigahara after World War II.174 views
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Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien fighter172 views
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Kawasaki KAT-1, training aircraft.172 views
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Different airplane propellers. Very detailed info about most of the museum's planes is at j-hangarspace.jp.172 views
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Bus stop in front of Kakamigahara Shiyakusho-mae Station. Take the No. 5 or No. 7 bus. Takes about 15–20 min. to the museum.172 views
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BK117P-5 helicopter171 views
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Fuji T-1B170 views
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Open door of UF-XS Experimental Flying Boat.168 views
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Kawasaki XOH-1 wooden mockup helicopter from the 1990s.168 views
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Exhibit about KAGRA (Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector) in Kamioka Observatory in Gifu Prefecture.168 views
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Nose of US-1A 9078167 views
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About the Wright Flyer, the world's first powered airplane.165 views
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The museum's highlight piece is this restored Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien fighter prototype, the only one in the world.164 views
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Kawasaki XOH-1 wooden mockup helicopter164 views
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Nose of P-2J. The plane was based on the US Navy's P2-V7 Neptune.155 views
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