110 years since the first airship flight in Japan

Today, and January 22nd annually, is Airship Day, 飛行船の日 (hikousen no hi). Airship Day commemorates the 1916 experimental flight of Yūhi-gō, Japan’s first domestically produced airship.

It was operated by the Imperial Japanese Army, Yūhi-gō flew from Tokorozawa in Saitama Prefecture to Osaka, stopping once in Toyohashi, and completing the journey in 11 hours and 34 minutes. The airfield in Tokorozawa no longer exists, it was Japan's first airport, but they have made a lovely park at the site. There is an air museum in the park too: Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park and museum. You will find both reviewed on City-cost.

The first airship flight was a success on the outward journey, but on the return journey mechanical issues prevented take off, so they had to disassemble the craft and transport it back by land! However, Tokorozawa still commemorates the achievement with a local baked sweet called Yūhi‑yaki, a long‑standing regional specialty that won a prestigious award in 1930.