Disclaimer
This page explains the notifications and other requirements necessary for flying unmanned aircraft. Please note that this information is based solely on our own experience and should be considered for reference only.We assume no responsibility whatsoever for any problems or issues that may arise during flight.
National Forest
| Notification to the Forest Management Office of the Forestry Agency is required. In Hokkaido, there are 24 branch offices. The notification destination varies depending on the location of the filming site. Some locations, like the Ura-Mashū Observatory in eastern Hokkaido, require notification to three Forest Management Offices. Complete the designated “Forest Entry Notification Form (For Flying Unmanned Aircraft)” with required details, attach a map of the flight area (e.g., from Google Maps), and send it by email. After confirmation by the Forest Management Office, a copy of the notification form with an acceptance stamp will be returned. |
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Hokkaido-owned Forests
| Notification to the Forestry Division of the Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau may be required. Hokkaido is divided into 14 areas. The notification destination varies depending on the location of the filming site. Complete the designated “Forest Entry Approval Application Form” with the required information and submit it with a map of the flight area attached (e.g., using Google Maps). Email submission may be possible in some cases. Please confirm this in advance. If submitting by mail, it may take time, so early processing is necessary. *When we previously conducted this process, all communication was via email. |
National Parks
| You must contact the local environmental office of the Ministry of the
Environment in advance. Contact by phone is acceptable, but depending on
the location, you may also need to submit flight plan details in advance
via email or other means.Hokkaido is divided into 16 areas. Contact information may vary by location, so prior confirmation is necessary. For example, the Shiretoko Peninsula requires contacting (and visiting) the Shiretoko Nature Center. Additionally, when filming lakes, contacting the relevant Regional Development Bureau may be required. |
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Other
| When flying in urban areas, contacting and filing a report with the nearest
police station may be required. Depending on the location, you may need
to submit a flight plan or the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport
and Tourism's flight permit in advance.Additionally, for rivers, contact
and reporting to the nearest river management office is required, and for
maritime areas, contact and reporting to the Japan Coast Guard is necessary.When
actually conducting aerial photography, contacting the city hall or local
government office in the location will provide you with the necessary contact
information. Tourist associations are also very helpful in providing this
information. For specific flights, flight plan notification via DIPS 2.0 is mandatory. |
Special Edition (Europe)
| When flying drones in Europe, you must comply with the EU's unified drone
regulations established by EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency). This
applies to EU member states. If you're traveling from Japan to Europe for
filming, you must first register as a pilot in the target country and pass
the A1/A3 exam (40 questions). While you can take the exam online, the
cost varies by country. For reference, I obtained mine in the UK for £9
(currently £12.34). The UK issues a document called a Flyer ID, valid for
five years. This ID previously allowed drone operation anywhere within
the applicable countries. However, after the UK's departure from the EU
in December 2020, the UK ID is no longer valid for flying within EU member
states. According to EASA, if you travel from overseas to Europe to fly a drone, you must register as a pilot in your first country of stay and take the A1/A3 exam to obtain your Remote Pilot qualification. Since it was free for me, I reacquired it in Poland. This allows me to fly drones within EU member states. However, you must thoroughly check no-fly zones and local rules specific to each country beforehand. Flying is entirely at your own risk. |
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