Have people found that completing the drone registration process is worthwhile given the number of places allowed to fly in Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo? If the airspace is so heavily restricted, is there any point in completing this? Are there registration processes that allow for recreational drone in these urban centres?
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Thanks!
5 comments
Literally everywhere interesting I’ve been on this three week trip has no drone signs. I’m pretty sure you’re gonna have a bad time trying to fly that thing literally anywhere. Also haven’t seen any drones in the remote hikes and things either.
Drone registration is required for any drone over 100gr.
You can fly in Tokyo but that mostly western side near rivers and mountains. Similar for Osaka and Kyoto, not in the central popluted part.
Registration of drone fly can be done only the local website, which is in Japanese only. I think they are working on English version but not sure current status.
You need to provide local resident address as well. Flying a drone in Japan, is super restricted or heavily controlled by the autorities and flying in cities mostly is prohibited and you may receive minimum 500K Yen penalty if you breach the law. You may however fly your drone in countryside again after having permit, which should be applied at least about 10 days before the projected fly date. Local resident are super sensetive to the drone and flying over or near their property could easily agitate them or even they report you to the authorities instantly.
I am kind of professional droner and even that finding too difficult to apply the permits.
Easiest way, you find a local or a person who can speak Japanese to apply the permit.
So shortly be very cautious and follow the regulations. Some tourists, who deliberately skip those regulations and secretly flying their drone, mostly reported to local police and fined instantly.
See here: https://www.mlit.go.jp/en/koku/uas.html
Drones are highly regulated in Japan. You have to register your flight plan and get approval before you can fly it. This process can take about a month or so to go through.
If you’re flying near military bases, airports, or other important landmarks, there are boundary restrictions and additional parties that need to be notified and included in the approval process.
I wouldn’t attempt flying one either, as they track who is supposed to be flying drones and where. If there’s an unauthorized drone flight, they do track and capture them.
Hey,
You’re getting some very misleading informaton in these comments, and some is outright false. The biggest takeaway is that you do need to register your drone as of June, 2022 if it’s over 100g. You can do this in English and it’s very cheap and easy. [https://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/drone/en/](https://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/drone/en/) – The glory days of using a DJI Mini and skirting registrations / licenses because it’s 149g are over.
After your drone is registered there are a few steps you need to take like recording your registration ID on the drone and having remote ID enabled.
After this be sure to check here: [https://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/koku_fr10_000042.html](https://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/koku_fr10_000042.html)
You do not need to register your flight plan if you are flying within Category I airspace. This is basically anywhere rural. This site also lists other rules you must abide by when flying. The above link can also take you to a map that will show spaces where you MUST get permission.
There is plenty of restricted airspace in Japan, like densley populated urban areas. You DO need to apply for permission to fly here. But, honestly, tons of tourists do it. They are generally not hunted down. BUT, this doesn’t mean you should. Just that you will see people doing it and getting away with it.
I have my UAV License in the USA and I have a drone registered here in Japan (where I am currently living and flying a drone).