Yamagata Airport (RJSC)
Medium airport · Higashine, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Airport data
| Name | Yamagata Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | RJSC |
| IATA | GAJ |
| Elevation | 353 ft (108 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 38°24'43" E 140°22'16" 38.41190, 140.37100 |
| Location | Higashine, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/19 | 6,560 ft (1999 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
Yamagata Airport at a glance
Yamagata Airport is a medium airport in Higashine, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, known to airline systems as GAJ. The field elevation of 353 ft (108 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at RJSC are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 01/19, offers 6,560 ft (1999 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 01 points roughly 10° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for RJSC shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Yamagata Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Sendai Airport | RJSS | 56 km (30 NM) |
| Shonai Airport | RJSY | 67 km (36 NM) |
| JASDF Matsushima Air Base | RJST | 74 km (40 NM) |
| Niigata Airport | RJSN | 121 km (65 NM) |
| Iwate Hanamaki Airport | RJSI | 131 km (71 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Yamagata Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 353 ft field elevation of Yamagata Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 108 airports and airfields we list for Japan — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Yamagata Airport
What is the ICAO code of Yamagata Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Yamagata Airport is RJSC, and its IATA code is GAJ. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Yamagata Airport above sea level?
Yamagata Airport sits at an elevation of 353 feet (108 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Yamagata Airport located?
The airport lies at 38.4119, 140.3710 — in Higashine, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Sendai Airport, about 56 km away.
Does RJSC publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for RJSC appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Yamagata Airport?
Yamagata Airport has one runway. The longest, 01/19, measures 6,560 ft (1999 m) with a ASP surface.