I have a new drone that I use for recreational use and Traveling to Japan tomorrow and I’ve been contemplating on bringing my Mini 3 Pro because I’m not sure if it’s allowed in certain areas of my trip?
I’ll be going to the following cities:
Osaka
Nara
Kyoto
Mt Fuji (kawaguchiko)
Hakone
Tokyo
Can anyone clarify the laws for Japan?
8 comments
It seems like all drones above 200g (inclusive of battery) needs to be registered at least 10 days in advance of any usage
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edit: the minipro 3 clocks in at 249g, so the above applies
Definitely not Kyoto/Tokyo for sure
https://drone-laws.com/drone-laws-in-japan/
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You have to register your drone
https://drone-laws.com/drone-laws-in-japan/
Lots of places do not allow drones, I know around chireito pagoda it’s not allowed and signs say so when you first walk up.
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Also apparently you need to register with the government:
https://drone-laws.com/drone-laws-in-japan/#:~:text=Yes%2C%20tourists%20are%20allowed%20to,application%20via%20post%20or%20online.
if you havent already registered your drone with the JP government and done that whole process, leave it at home. They are very strict regarding having all your paperwork etc. in order.
Also, anywhere where theres a decent amount of people is most likely not an acceptable place to fly your drone. Even if legal the locations have their own rules.
I flew my drone in Izu and Okinawa without issues.
If you have not registered it and if the drone is not equipped with Remote ID, leave it at home.
Even if you do the paperwork ahead of time, if there’s more than 1k people per square km, drone usage is prohibited. And usage within 5km of an airport is automatic no. Usage at national historic sights are a no, unless you know japanese and can get permission weeks ahead of time. So, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto especially, Tokyo, forget it. Hakone and Kawaguchiko…maybe, but you would be limited to flying over the lakes.
Registration is easy done online [here](https://www.ossportal.dips.mlit.go.jp/portal/top/)
Osaka, kyoto, tokyo are no fly zones.
Kawaguchiko and Hakone (Lake Ashi) is fine
Summary:
– 150m AGL
– VLOS
– 30m above people
– no night flying
Been flying mine in Hokkaido with no issues 🙂
Almost everywhere i went had signs posted reflecting no drones allowed. Leave it at home unfortunately