The A321 is the most numerous type in Asiana's fleet, with 25 in service

Nagoya's new airport, known as Chubu Centrair, was opened on an artificial island 35kms south of the city in 2005 and has an excellent roof terrace covering the whole of the huge single pier which extends out from the terminal

First public appearance of this 501 Hikotai recon Phantom in its unique ocean camouflage, similar to that carried by the Mitsubishi F-2s

The viewing decks at Japanese airports have a great reputation among photographers and Haneda did not disappoint. Skymark was a low-cost carrier with 18 737s at this time. In February 2011, they became the first airline in Japan to order the A380 which they intended to use on long-haul routes to Europe and the USA, but the carrier declared bankruptcy in 2015 so these were cancelled while 767s and A330s were sold. Skymark continued flying after restructure with 737s only

Not a type one expects to see in Japan, the JASDF received one Vampire T.55 trainer for evaluation in 1955

Japan has operated 13 Hawkeyes from Misawa AB, beginning in 1987. In November 2014, the Japanese government decided to procure E-2Ds instead of Boeing 737 AEW aircraft. These will have new avionics, improved engines, glass cockpit and potential for air-to-air refuelling

From Kisarazu army airbase, on the opposite side of Tokyo Bay to Haneda airport

Touchdown 32L

One of J-Air's 15 ERJs lifting off from 32R

I flew Peach from Kansai to Narita on a very low fare and as with most Asian LCCs, was suitably impressed

7G54 awaits depature to Haneda as 7G55 arrives on the opposite route

First flown in January 2010, this is the prototype transport designed to replace Japan's C-130 and C-1 fleets. 30 C-2s are planned with a 37.6t payload and to keep costs down it shares some components with the P-1 maritime patrol aircraft, although very different in appearance

The Yushukan war museum, next to the controversial Yasukuni shrine, paints an strange picture of Japan's role in World War II. This Zero was built in Nagoya in late 1943. It served in Rabaul where it was abandoned in 1945.