The Drone Weather Forecast zone map has 1,271 drone zones in Japan, from DJI FlySafe. 1,011 of them close the airspace from the ground up. Below are the zone types, the largest zones, the rules at a glance and the official links to request permission when you need to fly inside a zone.
Zone types
| Zone | Count | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| π₯ Prohibited | 296 | No flying from the ground up without a special permission: the area closest to airport runways, prisons, military sites, capital-city no-fly areas. |
| π§ Authorization required | 715 | You may fly only with an authorization from the aviation authority or the airspace manager, for example around airports and in controlled airspace. |
| π¨ Warning | 176 | Not closed, but fly with care and follow the local rules: heliports, small airfields, military training areas, stadiums, nature reserves. |
| π© Recommended | 84 | Places set aside for drone flying, such as model aircraft fields. |
Largest restricted zones
| Zone | Strictest part |
|---|---|
| TOKYO INTL | π§ Authorization required |
| Narita International Airport | π₯ Prohibited |
| Kansai International Airport | π₯ Prohibited |
| Matsushima Air Field | π₯ Prohibited |
| Sendai Airport | π₯ Prohibited |
| Niigata Airport | π₯ Prohibited |
| Okayama Airport | π₯ Prohibited |
| Naha Airport | π₯ Prohibited |
| New Chitose Airport | π₯ Prohibited |
| Osaka International Airport | π₯ Prohibited |
| Chubu Centrair International Airport | π₯ Prohibited |
| Hyakuri Airport | π₯ Prohibited |
| HOFU | π§ Authorization required |
| OZUKI | π§ Authorization required |
| Kagoshima Airport | π₯ Prohibited |
Drone rules in Japan at a glance
- Aviation authority: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Civil Aviation Bureau) (MLIT)
- Maximum height: 150 m (492 ft) above the ground, unless an authorization allows more.
- Registration: Drones of 100 g or more must be registered with MLIT (online through DIPS 2.0), show the registration number and carry Remote ID. Official page
- Official map: GSI map (airport surroundings and DID layers)
- Flights over Densely Inhabited Districts (DID) also need MLIT permission.
- Since 14 July 2026 the no-fly area around New Chitose, Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Itami, Kansai, Fukuoka and Naha airports is about 1,000 m, for drones of any weight.
How to get authorization to fly in a restricted zone
Steps and links from official sources, checked in September 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official website (MLIT) before you fly.
- Check on the official map whether your site is in an airport surrounding area or a Densely Inhabited District (DID). Official page
- Around an airport or above 150 m, first coordinate with the airport operator and the air traffic control unit for that airspace. Official page
- Apply for flight permission on DIPS 2.0 at least 10 business days before the flight. Official page
- Near the 8 airports designated under the Small UAV Prohibition Act, also get the airport manager's consent and notify the police at least 48 hours ahead. Official page
- Flying a DJI drone? With the authorization in hand, request an unlock on DJI FlySafe. DJI's unlock does not replace the authority's permission.
Check zones and weather before you fly
The Drone Weather Forecast app shows these zones on a map with their real shapes and height limits, next to the hourly wind, gusts, rain, KP index and satellites for your drone model.
β Drone pre-flight checklist
Frequently asked questions
Where can't you fly a drone in Japan?
Around airports, military bases and other restricted areas. The app's map has 1,011 zones in Japan where you cannot fly from the ground up without an authorization; the official map is GSI map (airport surroundings and DID layers). Temporary restrictions can appear at any time, so check before every flight.
Do I need permission to fly a drone near an airport in Japan?
Yes. Flying inside an airport zone or other restricted airspace needs an authorization. Responsible authority: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Civil Aviation Bureau). The official steps and links are on this page.
How high can you fly a drone in Japan?
Up to 150 m (492 ft) above the ground under the general rules, unless an authorization allows more. Near airports the limit can be lower, or zero.
Where does this zone data come from?
From DJI FlySafe's GEO zones: no official zone dataset in Japan can be used in the app yet. DJI's GEO zones are a safety layer built into DJI drones, not the official airspace: the binding zones and rules are the ones published by the aviation authority, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Civil Aviation Bureau) (official map: GSI map (airport surroundings and DID layers)).
Zone counts and names: DJI FlySafe, as shipped in the Drone Weather Forecast app on October 14, 2026. A safety guide, not the official airspace: the aviation authority publishes the binding zones and temporary restrictions.