Remote island gateway off the coast of Hokkaido.
Location
Okushiri Island, Japan
Okushiri Airport is a small regional airport serving Okushiri Island, located in the Sea of Japan off the southwestern coast of Hokkaido, Japan. It provides essential air connectivity for the island's residents, as the island is otherwise accessible only by ferry from the Hokkaido mainland.
The airport supports a limited number of daily flights and is operated primarily to meet the basic transportation needs of the island's small population. It gained particular significance following the devastating 1993 Hokkaido Nansei-oki earthquake and tsunami, which caused widespread destruction on Okushiri Island and highlighted the importance of air access for relief operations.
The runway is relatively short, accommodating small turboprop aircraft typical of regional Japanese island routes. Passenger volumes remain modest, reflecting the island's sparse permanent population.
Terminals
The airport features a single small terminal building suited to low-volume regional island traffic.
Getting to & from
Ground transport on the island is limited, with local taxi and road options available from the airport.
Airlines here
HAC (Hokkaido Air System) has operated scheduled services connecting Okushiri to Hakodate and other Hokkaido destinations.
Notable facts
- ›Serves one of Japan's remote inhabited islands in the Sea of Japan.
- ›Air access became critically important during relief efforts after the catastrophic 1993 tsunami.
- ›The island has a small permanent population, keeping passenger numbers low.
- ›Ferry service from Setana and Esashi on Hokkaido provides an alternative to air travel.
- ›The airport accommodates small turboprop regional aircraft due to its short runway.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
