Flying a Drone in Japan: A Guide for the Curious (and Why You Can’t Just Fly Anywhere)
Flying a drone in Japan is tricky
Have you seen those cool clips from way up high that show towns and mountains like a map Well most of them come from drones Small flying cameras look fun but in Japan they come with many rules You cannot just walk to an empty spot and send your drone into the sky Doing it the wrong way can bring big trouble
Why so many rules
Think of tossing a ball in a busy park You would not throw it hard without looking You might hit someone A drone is like that ball but it has spinning blades and can drop from above The rules try to keep everyone safe
Here is what the rules try to do
- Keep people safe A falling drone can hurt someone and Japan has a lot of people in small spaces
- Protect important places Airports power stations and big offices must stay safe A drone too close can cause problems
- Respect people’s homes No one wants a camera outside their window
- Stop bad surprises Some years back a drone landed on the prime minister’s roof After that the rules became much stricter
Can you fly a drone in Japan at all?
Yes but you must follow many steps. Any drone that weighs as much as a bar of soap or more must be on a list with the country office like a tiny car tag. There are many spots where flying is not allowed unless you get special permit.
Places that need extra care
- Big cities and busy streets Tokyo Kyoto and other big spots
- Around airports Planes and drones do not mix
- Government and army land
- Many parks shrines and temples want quiet and safe air
Even in a safe spot you still must follow basic rules
- Fly only in daylight
- Keep the drone where you can see it with your own eyes
- Stay at least as far as a school bus away from people and buildings
- Never fly over large crowds such as festivals or sports games
What can happen if you ignore the rules
The trouble is real
- You might pay a huge fine up to five hundred thousand yen That is a lot of money
- In very bad cases you could even spend a year in jail
It does not matter if you live in Japan or are just visiting The rules treat everyone the same
The simple lesson
Think of Japan as a friendly house You are the guest Be kind follow the house rules and all is well If you only want pretty photos it may be easier to leave the drone at home and enjoy the views from the ground Japan has plenty to see without a flying camera
