Shonai Airport (Sakata) Webcam

Shonai Airport

Shonai Airport (SYO) is a small regional airport located in Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, serving the scenic Shōnai Plain along Japan's Sea of Japan coast. It mainly operates domestic flights, with regular service connecting the region to Tokyo Haneda Airport. The airport is known for its compact size, smooth check-in experience, and calm, uncrowded atmosphere. Surrounded by rice fields and mountains, it offers travelers beautiful views during takeoff and landing. Shonai Airport plays an important role in supporting local tourism, agriculture, and business in the Shōnai area. Its simple layout and friendly local feel make it an easy and pleasant gateway to northern Japan.

The webcam looks over the Shonai Airport area, offering a clear view of part of the runway and the apron (peron) area near the terminal. From this angle, viewers can also see the parking stands equipped with telescopic passenger boarding bridges, making it interesting to watch aircraft arrivals and departures. The most common airline visible is All Nippon Airways (ANA), typically operating narrow-body jets such as the Boeing 737 on domestic flights. Because the airport is small and regional, traffic is limited, which allows easy spotting of aircraft movements without heavy congestion. Shonai Airport is special when it comes to weather, as its coastal location along the Sea of Japan brings frequent strong winds, low clouds, and sudden changes in visibility. In winter especially, the webcam often captures snowy conditions and challenging weather that add extra drama to takeoffs and landings.