Regardless of how you feel about air travel, we sure you’ll admit that watching an aerobatics show by top pilots is nothing short of amazing. So, whether you get woozy standing on a stool or you love soaring in the sky, you won’t want to miss the photos and videos from this week’s Blue Impulse show in Saitama!
[tweet https://twitter.com/chanNANAfes/status/661444663409143808 align=center]
Blue Impulse is the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s team of aerobatics pilots who perform around the country to adoring and amazed crowds. They’ve been around for decades, having performed their first show in 1960, and the team has used three different types of jets over the last fifty years. Surpassing 1,000 performances in 2011, they’ve been flying Kawasaki’s T-4 subsonic jets since 1996.
Following their show in Saitama on Culture Day yesterday, Twitter was flooded with tweets of photos, videos, and outright awe. Check out some of the best!
[tweet https://twitter.com/HIK0SAMA/status/661431834715095040 align=center hide_media=’true’][tweet https://twitter.com/sowa_hiroyuki/status/661438966042726400 align=center hide_media=’true’]“Wow! Wow! Wow! Blue Impulse was even cooler than I had imagined! It was really amazing. And free. I hope I’ll get to see them again next year.”
“Blue Impulse… I’m so glad we had clear skies. (●´ω｀●)”
The photo above doesn’t really do the cupid’s arrow and heart justice—it looks like the wind kind of deformed it. Check out the short video below for a better look at it!
[tweet https://twitter.com/crusher_take/status/661410520172367872 align=center]We absolutely loved these zoomed in photos of the planes. Tom Cruise, eat your heart out!
[tweet https://twitter.com/FuyaApple/status/661428077080133632 align=center hide_media=’true’]
And here are some of the awesome videos that appeared on Twitter. Blue Impulse’s performance and speed are amazing to watch! And now we’re wondering if they’d be willing to give us a ride next time the trains stop…
[tweet https://twitter.com/Mae0128_Nicole/status/661436177698828289 align=center] [tweet https://twitter.com/masegi/status/661429322545168388 align=center] [tweet https://twitter.com/nyahonyahoo/status/661415314752540672 align=center]If you’re in Japan and you’d like to catch the Blue Impulse team in action, it looks like they have about five more shows before the end of the year. You can find schedule information on their official website here (Japanese only) or in English on this unofficial site.
Source: ITMedia, JASDF
Top image: Twitter/@FuyaApple
Blue Impulse’s cockpit version video gives us an intimate look inside an aerobatic plane 【Video】
Japan Self-Defense Forces enlist handsome anime boys to try to attract new human recruits
Japan Self-Defense Forces Twitter account issues apology for cute emoticon salute
We go to a festival on a Japanese Air Self-Defense Force base, walk on a runway, see cool planes
New anime Gate entertains, tries to recruit you to the Japan Self-Defense Forces at the same time
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Starbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Is Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
Mass murder plot stopped by friend of Akihabara mass murderer
Evangelion beautifully reimagined as iconic classical Japanese folding screen art series [Photos]
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Starbucks Japan adds new Frappuccino, Tea, and Chillax Soda to its limited-edition summer menu
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japanese government ID card and app to be required for certain Pokémon card purchases next month
Japan reacts to Donald Trump’s “Islamic Republic of Japan” remark
Three new starter Pokémon Jets to fly in Japan, first begins carrying passengers this month
Solid gold Hedorah kaiju from the Godzilla series is now available to pre-order
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
“Pantie”-flashing anime girl Japan Self-Defense Forces recruiting poster shot down by critics
Netizens annoyed that Japan Self-Defense Forces had to announce that aid workers can use restrooms