Drone Laws in Japan
Updated July 2019
What are the laws regarding Drones / UAV / Quadcopters in Japan?
Drones laws in Japan are governed by the amendment to the Aviation Act that came into effect 10 December 2015.
Prohibited areas of operation
- Near airports or areas where air traffic is expected.
- Densely populated residential areas.
- Over a place where an event attended by many people is being held.
- In all of Metropolitan Tokyo’s 81 public parks and gardens.
- Other prefectures that have passed similar legislation to Tokyo.
Guidelines
- Fly only in the daytime.
- Operation within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS).
- Maintenance of 30m operating distance between the drone and people or properties on the ground/ water surface.
- Do not operate drones over event sites where many people gather.
- Do not transport hazardous materials such as explosives by drone.
- Do not drop any objects from the drone.
The path along the Katsura River
Penalty For Breaking The Law
Flying a UAV over a prohibited area or violating the conditions of flight is punishable by a fine of up to
Altitude of Operation
OR
Source: Civil Aviation Bureau
My Personal Experience of Flying Drones in Japan
I carried my drone to Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone, Hiroshima but I only flew it over the Katsura River in Arashiyama and Lake Ashi in Hakone. Most of the temples, monuments have no drones allowed signs hanging at their entrances.
Not only that, some cities (such as Hiroshima) outright ban drone flights.
Japan’s been slightly paranoid about drones ever since someone flew a drone carrying radioactive sand over the Prime Minister’s office in Tokyo. Since then the laws have gotten stricter and the punishment more severe.
In fact Tokyo Police possesses drone catchers in case you don’t listen to their warnings. So yes, be sure to always adhere to drone laws in Japan.
My Advice
As drone flights are strictly regulated in most cities, go towards the outskirts. Or find a secluded area with few people, or preferably near a water body (river, lakes, sea).
I think this graphic from the Civil Aviation Bureau of Japan perfectly highlights the dos and don’ts of flying drones in Japan.
Drone Laws in Japan
Can you bring your drone to Japan?
Yes, you should face no issue carrying your drone to Japan.
Just remember to always follow the rules.
Find out which drone and drone accessories I use, and recommend.
My Drone & DSLR Gear
Japan Aerial Photography Gallery
5 Comments
Thank you for sharing these pieces of information. Just one question to be confirmed, flying over the Katsura River at Arashiyama is allowed?
Thanks. I believe it flying there is still within the law.
Hope that helps!
Hi,
Thanks for the helpful info! I umderstand that you need to register your drone first from the transportation websiten would that only be applicable for drones flying in restricted spaces? E. G. You mentioned that you flew the drone over lake ashi, did you need to apply for a permit to fly there? Thanks in advance!
Hey Sam,
No, I only flew in uninhabited spaces for which I did not need to register my drone to fly. Of course, if you want to fly in restricted zones, you definitely need a permit in that case.
Hello Sam, what about the rules with FPV drones in Japan? As I can see can not fly with the immersive googles… but for less Weight 200g is prohibit too?
how it works?