Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport is the easternmost airport in Hokkaido—and also the easternmost airport in Japan that serves civilian aircraft. It is located about 4 km northwest of central Nakashibetsu Town (approximately a 10-minute bus ride) on flat grassland. Following the discontinuation of the JR Hokkaido Shibetsu Line, the airport has served as an important transportation hub, filling the gap in access and functioning as the gateway to the Nemuro region.

Unlike many other airports in Hokkaido, Nakashibetsu Airport was built in a dairy farming area. It is situated more than 80 km from central Nemuro City, where the Nemuro Subprefectural Bureau is located. Within a 100 km radius of the airport lie numerous scenic and natural attractions, such as Lake Mashu and Shiretoko—designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site—making it popular among tourists.

In this region, where travel times to major cities like Sapporo and Tokyo are relatively long, air transportation plays a crucial role as a high-speed means of access.