This year marks the 82^nd anniversary of the Zero’s first flight on Apr. 1, 1939. Like battleship Yamato, the Zero is an instantly recognized symbol of Japan despite its current pacifistic leanings. The design is still aesthetically pleasing making it easy to see why it’s the most popular model airplane in Japan and practically every  boy’s first or favorite model. (The Zero Model 52 according to my local hobby shop.) Technologically it was something to be proud of as Japan rolled out this slick, next-gen fighter which delivered victory after victory over China and against the Allies early in World War II. Towards the end of the war the aging design became a kamikaze, the tragic weapon of young men sent on desperate last ditch missions to save their country.

The story of the Zero began with a very unreasonable request by the Imperial Japanese Navy issued in 1937. They demanded a fighter with long range, high speed, heavy armament and high maneuverability. These demands amounted to an aircraft that out-performed all other naval fighters in every aspect with no trade-offs, like finding a fourth option in jan-ken-pon (paper-rock-scissors) that trumps all others, all the time.

Mitsubishi Chief Engineer Dr. Horikoshi Jiro (The inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises) took it as a challenge and gave the Navy what it wanted, but at a price. His fighter was fast enough, but light and unarmored, no protection for pilot or fuel. A few rounds would light it up. The light weight also meant it would have trouble pulling out of dives and though impressive under 15,000 feet, its maneuverability dropped off sharply above it. They compensated for this by training some of the best pilots in the world in a brutally arduous training regimen that only about 100 pilots a year could pass. This situation would not be ideal during wartime when attrition would require slightly more than 100 new pilots a year.

Accepted for service in the 2600^th year of the Imperial calendar (1940), the new fighter was designated Type 0. Over the course of five years more than 10,000 would be produced making it the most numerous fighter built by imperial Japan, but despite that achievement few remain today. Those that weren’t destroyed in the war were converted to scrap metal, but some still survive and there are more Zeros around Japan today than there’s been since the 1940s making it the easiest time to get up close to this classic aircraft in decades. Beside the originals there are also replicas popping up in museums thanks to television and film productions.

I started on this journey unintentionally. I didn’t really care about the Zero  one way or another when I came to Japan, but as I traveled around and visited museums I kept seeing them more and so thought it would be fun to try and see them all. It’s an obtainable goal that fits with the kind of places I’m already visiting anyway, so I’m not going out of my way to do it and it’s a little bit of a challenge as I have to search for some of them. This leads me to finding more places with things I’d like to see. It’s a vicious cycle and as I’ve gotten into I’ve grown to appreciate the Zero’s aesthetics.

And given this year’s lack of travel opportunities its been nice getting to revisit the fun memories I made visiting all of these locations to find this not so elusive warbird.

A quick note on the designations: A6M is the manufacturer’s designation for the aircraft with a number added to the end to denote newer versions and following the A6M is a model number specifying which version it is. The first digit denotes which the version of the airframe and the second denotes which version of the engine. A Model 21 is the second version of the air frame, because the original did not have folding wingtips, but still using the first Sakae-12 engine.

 

Mitsubishi 12-Shi Carrier-borne Fighter Program Prototype
This is the original prototype Mitsubishi presented to the Imperial Japanese Navy. When the navy presented its design specs for the competition Mitsubishi was the only company willing to take a stab at it. The prototype physically differs from the first production model, the Model 11, in that it had a different engine cowling and a different main landing gear cover. Unlike the production models, it was powered by a Zuisei-13 engine.

Gifu-Kakamigahara Aerospace Science Museum (Kakamigahara, Gifu) –Replica
5 Chome-1 Shimogiricho, Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture 504-0924
http://www.sorahaku.net/index.html

Kakamigahara figures significantly into the Zero’s history as it was here at this airfield the Zero prototype first took flight on Apr. 1, 1939. The museum houses this unique replica in a room with one of the few remaining Kawasaki Ki-61-II-Kai / Army Type 3 ‘Tony’ Fighters in existence, which was built at the Kakamigahara factory. (This aircraft was previously at the Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots) The museum otherwise is mostly focused on post-war aircraft and spacecraft, with a good number of prototypes and experimental aircraft.

Kakamigahara was previously the Imperial Japanese Army 3^rd Division Artillery Maneuvering Grounds before converting to an airfield in 1917 and becoming a Kawasaki aircraft manufacturing plant in 1921. During the war it produced more Army Type 3 fighters than any other facility.

 

A6M2 Model 21
This is the same model of Zero that fought over Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, Coral Sea and Midway. It’s distinction from the first Model 11’s which flew over China in 1940 is that it has folding wingtips and tailhook for carrier operations.

Fighter Museum (Narusawa, Yamanashi)
Narusawa-Mura, Fujizakura Kogen Nai, Minamitsuru-Gun, Yamanashi Prefecture 401-0320
https://www.car-airmuseum.com/en/

This museum is only open in August, though ‘tis glorious. It has three Zeros- a Model 21, Model 52 with engine cowling partially removed and a skeletal Zero as well as a Ki-43 Hayabusa, a G4M ‘Betty’ bomber fuselage, a replica Yokosuka D5Y ‘Willow’ trainer, a replica Ohka manned rocket and much, much more. It’s co-located with a historic automobile museum. 1,000 yen well spent. (No cameras allowed; phone photography only)

National Museum of Nature and Science (Tokyo)
7-20 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-8718
https://www.kahaku.go.jp/english/

CURRENTLY NOT ON DISPLAY. PLEASE LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS IF THIS CHANGES OR IF IT REAPPEARS ELSEWHERE.

This Model 21 has been modified with a second seat and a radio set and with its cowling removed this is also one of the few Zeros that let visitors see what’s under the hood. When you’re done you can also check out the dinosaurs downstairs. The museum is located in Ueno Park, which is full of history and fun things to do so if you can only see one Zero on your trip to Japan, especially with non-aviation or military enthusiasts in tow, this is the one Zero to see.

Usa Peace Museum (Usa, Oita) –Replica
440-5 Go, Usa, Oita Prefecture 879-0455

The replica at the Usa Peace Museum was originally built for a biopic about Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo and later used in The Eternal Zero. You can also sit in a replica half-cockpit and see an Ohka kamikaze rocket at the museum. The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service established the Usa airfield Oct. 1, 1939. Pilots learned the basics of flight at Yokaren, preparatory flight schools, such as the one in nearby Oita, and those chosen to crew the Nakajima B5N “Kate” Type 97 torpedo bomber and Aichi D3A “Val” Type 99 dive bomber were sent to Usa to learn the specifics of these aircraft. The area is full of airfield ruins worth seeking out.

 

 

A6M3 Model 32
Easily distinguished from other Zeroes by its clipped wings, this version traded long range for better high-speed maneuverability, making it better suited for defense rather than long-range offensive operations. It began production in 1942 and fought over New Guinea and the Solomons. Something about its looks makes this my favorite Zero model.

Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum (Chikuzen, Fukuoka)
2561-1 Takata, Chikuzen-machi, Asakura-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture 838-0814
http://tachiarai-heiwa.jp/

This is the only surviving Model 32 in the world, though its cobbled together from a few different Zeros and was rebuilt as a Model 32.

Tachiarai Army Air Field began service in 1919 and at one point was the largest airfield in Japan. The air field’s proximity to China made it an excellent location for a civilian international airport during times of peace and also a vital field for supplying troops during Japan’s invasion of China in the 1930s. During World War II Tachiarai functioned as the Imperial Japan Army’s largest flight training school and near the end it also became the army’s primary kamikaze training center along with Chiran. It was hit by two large air raids that destroyed or damaged the airfield, flight schools and aircraft manufacturing facilities in late March 1945, but was able to continue with kamikaze operations until the end of the war. No Navy Zeros fly from this army base, so its an odd place for the Model 32 but its well looked after. Tachiarai is a good little museum and has the only surviving Ki-27 ‘Nate’ fighter on display, which unlike the Zero is a model of aircraft which flew from here on kamikaze missions.

 

A6M5 Model 52
The definitive late war Zero, the Model 52 is the most produced version of the Zero. It had a redesigned wing and shorter wingspan with rejiggered fuel tank locations to compensate and maintain the Zero’s long range. It used the Sakae-21 engine introduced with the Model 32 and had a fire extinguishing system to protect the fuel tanks. It began production in Aug. 1943.

Aichi Museum of Flight (Nagoya Airport) –Replica
Nagoya Airport, Toyoba, Toyoyama, Nishikasugai District, Aichi 480-0202
https://aichi-mof.com/

This replica was built for a movie and is housed in a museum that otherwise focuses on post-war Mitsubishi aircraft. Nagoya was a massive Mitsubishi aircraft manufacturing center and the company had many facilities related to aircraft production scattered around the city. Nagoya Airport (not to be confused with Chubu Centrair, Nagoya’s main airport) began in 1944 as Komaki or Kamake army airfield and was located near the Mitsubishi Komaki plant. After the war it was a U.S. Air Force base until the final unit, a hospital, left in 1958. Today it’s split between a civilian airfield and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots (Minamikyushu, Kagoshima) -Wreck
17881 Kori, Chiran-cho, Minamikyushu, Kagoshima Prefecture 897-0302
http://www.chiran-tokkou.jp

These are the remains of a Zero that was pulled out of Kagoshima’s Teuchi Harbor, though this is otherwise an entirely army kamikaze museum. It’s one of the most prominent kamikaze museum with lots of kamikaze artifacts, letters and photos on display as well as Japan’s only intact Nakajima Ki-84 / Army Type 4 ‘Frank’ fighter, and replica Ki-84 and Nakajima Ki-43 / Army Type 1 ‘Oscar’ fighters.

Chiran was established as the Tachiarai Army Flight Training School Chiran Branch on Dec. 24, 1941, two weeks after the Pacific War began. Chiran would continue as a training base until March 26, 1945 when it began kamikaze operations. The majority of army kamikaze missions were launched from Chiran. The museum doesn’t glorify war or attempt to justify its causes, but shares the stories of men whose lives were cut short and honors their memory.

Fighter Museum (Narusawa, Yamanashi)
Narusawa-Mura, Fujizakura Kogen Nai, Minamitsuru-Gun, Yamanashi Prefecture 401-0320
https://www.car-airmuseum.com/en/

I’ve already talked about this little hangar full of awesome with the Mode 21 which is also in the same hangar.

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Public Information Center (Hamamatsu, Shizuoka)
…it doesn’t really have an address.
…or even a website anymore.
Just type “Airpark JASDF Hamamatsu Air Base Museum” into Google Maps.

This a wonderful SDF museum which focuses on the post-war air service’s history so the Zero is its only World War II aircraft. Most of their aircraft are foreign-licensed but Japanese-built like the Mitsubishi F-104J Starfighter, but it also has the Japanese indigenous designs you rarely find outside of the country.  You can spend hours in here enjoying the jets.

Kanoya Naval Air Museum (Kanoya, Kagoshima)
3 Chome Nishihara, Kanoya, Kagoshima Prefecture 893-0064
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/kanoya/toukatu/HPzairyou/1-8siryoukann/1-8siryoukann.html

This far afield the Kanoya Naval Air Museum not worth coming for the Zero alone, but it is worth the hours of shinkansen and buses to see the last H8K2 Emily flying boat displayed outside. Aircraft aside, like Tachiarai this was a kamikaze base in 1945. It has a small air fleet of various post-war aircraft including a modern US-1 flying boat, because Japan still operates flying boats.

The Kanoya Naval Air Corps was established on Apr. 1, 1936 though its claim to fame would be launching the majority of Navy kamikaze that participated in Operation Kikusui, the April 1945 kamikaze attacks against the U.S. fleet at Okinawa days after the invasion began.

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni (Iwakuni, Yamaguchi) -Replica
https://www.mcasiwakuni.marines.mil/
Off-limits to individuals without military base access, this replica is stored in an original World War II hardened aircraft shelter.

Misawa Aviation & Science Museum (Misawa, Aomori) –Replica
Kitayama-158 Misawa, Aomori Prefecture 033-0022
https://www.kokukagaku.jp/english.html

This is a museum in the frozen north. It has airplanes. That’s all I know. My friend from there says to try the apples.

Mitsubishi Oe Plant Clock Tower Aviation Room (Nagoya, Aichi)
2-15 Oecho, Minato Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture 455-0024
https://www.mhi.com/jp/expertise/museum/nagoya/

This is the most exciting of aviation spots I haven’t visited because the Zero is on display along with the only intact, though finished post-war, Japanese version of the German Me 163 Komet rocket plane, the Mitsubishi J8M Shusui.

Yushukan (Tokyo)
3-1-1 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8246

The Yushukan is Japan’s best known war-related museum and personally I find this museum’s revisionist history to be abhorrent, but it’s worth visiting for this Zero and fantastic artifact collection which includes other rare aircraft, a tank, artillery and a Kaiten manned torpedo.

 

A6M7 Model 62
The late-war A6M7 Model 62 was a fighter-bomber, designed theoretically to bolster the IJN’s dive bomber numbers but in practice the ability to carry a bomb just made it a better kamikaze.

Kure Maritime Museum “Yamato Museum” (Kure, Hiroshima)
5-20 Takaramachi, Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture 737-0029
0823-25-3017
https://yamato-museum.com/en/

This museum is one of my favorites as the Zero is in a room of seaborne kamikazes, there’s a model of battleship Yamato the size of an actual motor boat (86 feet long), it has battleship parts out front and is across the street from a submarine on blocks! The Kure Chinjufu (Naval District) was one of Japan’s original naval districts and military shipyards and began operations in 1889. It pumped out everything from midget subs to the battleship Yamato, even aircraft too. It was one of the most important locations in the Imperial Japanese Navy and is still one of my favorite places to visit. Do try the navy curry when in town, you won’t be disappointed.

That’s it for my Zero hunt, if you know a Zero not on this list please feel free to let me know all about it in the comments!

Information for this mostly came from previously written articles and Pacific Wrecks for a few pieces of the aircraft and airfield history. Zero model information came from Sunburst: The Rise of Japanese Naval Air Power by Mark Peattie, F4F Wildcat vs. A6M Zero-Sen by Edward M. Young, F6F Hellcat vs. A6M Zero-Sen by Edward M. Young and the Gifu-Kakamigahara Aerospace Science Museum Guidebook.

 

Local Model Shop
Sekai Models
3-5 Minatomachi, Sasebo, Nagasaki 857-0055
(Right across the Albuquerque Bridge on the way to the arcade)
0956-23-6294