Haneda Airport in Tokyo: Your Gateway to Japan
Tokyo's Haneda Airport, officially called the Tokyo International Airport, is a mere 30 minutes from the heart of the city, making it a very convenient airport for Tokyo travel.
There are many shops, restaurants, food, souvenirs, and even hotels within the airport. This article mainly focuses on Terminal 3, the international terminal, and describes restaurants you’ll want to visit, recommended souvenirs, foods, and nearby sightseeing spots.
*Operation schedules are subject to change due to the Haneda Airport runway collision on January 2, 2024. Please keep this in mind if you decide to fly through Haneda Airport.
Haneda Airport Guide
About Haneda Airport
Terminal 3 (International Terminal): Shopping, Dining, and Hotels
Terminal 1 and 2 (Domestic Terminals)
Haneda Airport Tips
Sightseeing Near Haneda Airport
About Haneda Airport
Haneda Airport may have fewer direct international flights than Narita Airport. However, the number of domestic routes available is as immense as those on a shinkansen (bullet train). It’ll feel like you’re riding one!
Haneda Airport has been selected as the world’s cleanest airport for seven consecutive years. The airport also has plenty of facilities, making it a sightseeing spot you’ll want to visit even without a flight.
Haneda Airport’s History and Transition
Haneda Airport’s official name is Tokyo International Airport. It is an international airport in Ota Ward, Tokyo, where many international flights arrive.
Haneda Airport originally opened as an international airport in Tokyo. However, the number of flights at Haneda Airport fell short with the rapid development of Japan’s economy. This resulted in the opening of a new airport, Narita Airport, in 1978. All international routes at the time were transferred to Narita, and Haneda Airport was exclusively a domestic airport for the longest time.
However, the number of flights at Haneda Airport exponentially increased thanks to an airport expansion in 2010. With the takeoff and landing restrictions of aircraft at night at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport restored its international routes and has become a convenient airport for international flights.
Haneda Airport has been selected by SKYTRAX, a United Kingdom-based company, for seven consecutive years as the “cleanest airport in the world.”
At the time of this MATCHA article, a representative stated, “Facilities are regularly cleaned at Haneda Airport. Care is taken to ensure that areas where passengers come and go are not dirty and swiftly cleaned. There are also staff that periodically patrol every corner of the airport.”
Throwing away garbage, discarding withered leaves, and trimming flowers. In the event of difficult dirt or stains, a specialist is immediately contacted and requested to handle the situation. These thorough responses are the secret to Haneda Airport’s cleanliness.
Terminal 3 (International Terminal): Shopping, Dining, and Hotel Guide
Haneda Airport Terminal 3 is the international terminal and the most used terminal at the airport. Let’s look at a few spots in Terminal 3 recommended by our writer.
Edo Koji Haneda Nihonbashi Bridge
Look up from the departure lobby, and Edo Koji Haneda Nihonbashi Bridge, filled with the quaintness of Japan, will enter your vision. This area replicates the shape of Nihonbashi Bridge, a symbol of Tokyo, during the Edo period.
When you step into this space, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled 200 years to the Edo period. Here, many famous shops and souvenir stores are clustered together.
Our writer visited this area for the first time and was moved by the mixture of traditional and modern aspects. He pulled out his camera to take a picture without a thought.
Hyakuzen: Taste of Japan’s Seasons
Hyakuzen, located inside Edo Koji, offers various Japanese dishes. It’s a famous restaurant that always has a line.
Yakiniku Champion
Yakiniku Champion has an extensive menu that will satisfy the appetites of yakiniku (grilled meat) fans before their flight.
Onigiri Konga
Onigiri Konga is operated by Onigiri Bongo, a popular restaurant established over 60 years ago near Otsuka Station on the Yamanote Line. Emphasis is placed on quality rice and ingredients. Plus, the onigiri is only prepared when an order is placed. This is to give customers a taste of Japan's most delicious onigiri (rice balls).
Our writer has only eaten at this shop twice thus far, but both times, he has seen customers gladly standing in long lines to eat the delicious onigiri.
Exclusive High-Quality Menus by Yoshinoya
At first glance, this looks like the same Yoshinoya you'll spot on the side of the road. But Yoshinoya Haneda Airport has a hidden premium menu!
The Wagyu Beef Box is a menu exclusively sold in Haneda Airport’s International Terminal! It uses high-quality Japanese black wagyu beef and is completely different from your ordinary beef bowl! The shop was crowded with customers wanting to try the menu when our writer visited, so there was a bit of a wait.
Air BicCamera
Forgot to buy your household appliances or daily necessities? Air BicCamera, a major electronics retailer chain, is also located in Edo Koji. The store has a wide selection of products that are popular with international tourists, so it’s okay even if you don’t find what you’re looking for!
BicCamera Discount Coupon for International Visitors
Tax-Free Shops After Leaving the Country
Once you go through security from the departure gate, you will arrive at Haneda Airport’s tax-free area. There is a wide selection of popular products including famous brands, cosmetics, beauty products, and souvenirs.
But, according to our writer’s friends, this doesn’t necessarily mean that prices are cheaper than those at stores in Tokyo. So please pay attention!
Must-Buy Souvenirs in Terminal 3
There are many popular souvenirs available at the tax-free shops in Terminal 3. This includes Tokyo Banana, a popular souvenir found exclusively at Haneda Airport.
For example, NewYork Perfect Cheese is a product so popular that it sells out by around half a day from when sales begin. The product is sold out every day around noon at the Tokyo Station location. It would be a great to buy these if you think you can arrive at Haneda Airport early!
Direct from Terminal 3! Haneda Airport Garden & Hotel
Opened on January 31, 2023, Haneda Airport Garden is directly connected to Terminal 3 with easy access when following the signs.
There are many restaurants, souvenirs, and even a hot spring in Haneda Airport Garden.
Our writer’s top recommendation is Hanayama Udon, the champion for three consecutive years at Japan’s largest udon tournament, and highly praised by the Emperor. These are some of the best udon noodles our writer has eaten so far in Japan.
It’s a popular restaurant, so those interested in trying it are recommended to go early.
In the future, this first floor area is scheduled to become a bus transfer station connected to sightseeing destinations across Japan. This will make it possible to travel to various places directly from Haneda Airport.
If you have an early flight, then you can also stay the night at an on-site hotel inside Airport Garden.
The two options available are the high-end VILLA FONTAINE PREMIER and the business-friendly VILLA FONTAINE GRAND, both of which have hot springs for you to soak in! This certainly saves time on transferring trains and reduces the possibility of missing your flight. (This is based on testimonies from our writer’s mom's friends.)
Search for rooms at VILLA FONTAINE GRAND (Booking.com)
Search for rooms at VILLA FONTAINE PREMIER (Booking.com)
Watch Plane Takeoffs and Landings from the Observation Deck
Terminal 3’s observation deck is located on the fifth floor and stays open 24-hours. Our writer likes to relax here while watching the planes fly.
Terminal 1 and 2 (Domestic Terminal) Highlights
Haneda Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, where flights from across Japan arrive, have several charming highlights and sights to see.
You Won’t Fail Your Exams? Haneda Airport Shrine
Haneda Airport Shrine, located on the first floor of Terminal 1, is not only where passengers pray for safe travels. It is also a spot that grants luck to examinees due to keeping all that pray from “falling” (“ochinai” in Japanese also means “not to fail”).
Marketplace
Marketplace, a shopping mall in Terminal 1, is where shops that sell apparel, souvenirs, toys, and more are consolidated in one place. It would be nice to take time to look around if you happen to be passing by.
Hokkaido Souvenirs at Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza
Famous Hokkaido specialties are sold at Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza next to the Terminal 1 Departure Gate. This is where you can purchase specialty products from Hokkaido in Tokyo, so please give it a visit!
Vending Machines Selling Prefecture Specialties
In a corner of the Terminal 2 departure lobby on the second floor is a row of vending machines selling specialties from around Japan. It has a wide selection that ranges from adorable Akita dog plushies to Hokkaido soup curry.
Enjoy Specialty Sweets at Kin no Tsubasa
Kin no Tsubasa, a souvenir shop in the same Terminal 2 on the second floor, offers delicious wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) made with quality ingredients, so please come and visit!
The Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 observation decks are open every morning from 6:30 and closes at 22:00. The areas and business hours aren’t as convenient as Terminal 3, but you can enjoy the beautiful scenery easier due to having relatively fewer people.
How to Travel Between Haneda Airport Terminals
You can easily travel between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 by walking through the first basement floor passageway for five to 10 minutes to get to the other terminal.
You can also take the free shuttle bus between terminals. Take the bus for direct access between terminals as long as you see this yellow bus stop sign. The inside of the bus is very spacious, making it convenient for transferring between terminals even when you have large luggage.
Access to Haneda Airport
The transportation methods to access Haneda Airport are primarily via train, monorail, bus, or taxi.
Train
Currently, there are two train lines that run between Tokyo and Haneda Airport. The Keikyu Airport Line departs from Shinagawa or Kawata while the Tokyo Monorail departs from Hamamatsucho.
The Keikyu Line directly connects to the Toei Asakusa Line and Keisei Line to Narita Airport. It also connects to the cities of Kawasaki and Yokohama. The Tokyo Monorail can be taken to Hamamatsucho, then you can transfer to the Yamanote Line.
Express Bus
There are numerous bus routes to Haneda Airport from Tokyo, Shinjuku, and Shibuya. You can also take several routes to areas such as Ikebukuro, Kita-Senju, Tokyo Skytree, Kichijoji, and Hachioji from the airport.
Direct buses are also available to Kanagawa, Shizuoka, and Yamanashi, so please check the official Haneda Airport website for details. If you take the bus, you can get to the airport with peace of mind without worrying about missing your train, understanding what the road signs say, and it doesn’t take much time!
Taxi
Other than the transportation methods mentioned above, you can also go directly to Haneda Airport by taxi if moving is difficult or you have a lot of luggage with you.
For example, nearMe is a share taxi with prices that fall between an express bus and regular taxi. Reservations can be made even without a Japanese phone number!
Make a reservation for nearMe.Airport
Haneda Airport Post Office and Post Box Locations
Haneda Airport’s post office is located on the first floor of Terminal 1. Business hours are from 9:00 until 17:00 on the weekdays.
Post boxes can be found in all three terminals. Please check Haneda Airport’s official website for details.
Sightseeing Spots Near Haneda Airport
There are many sightseeing spots near Haneda Airport, so you can go sightseeing before arriving at or when leaving the airport!
HANEDA INNOVATION CITY
Picture courtesy of Pixta
HANEDA INNOVATION CITY, found in Sky Bridge Station next to Haneda Airport, is home to facilities such as restaurants, a hotel, concert hall, and commercial offices. There are also free foot baths to soak your feet while watching flights land or take off!
Anamori Inari Shrine
Picture courtesy of Pixta
Anamori Inari Shrine was originally built on what is now Haneda Airport. However, it moved to its current location due to the airport's construction. It is three minutes on foot from Anamori-Inari Station on the Keikyu Airport Line. You can take pictures of the senbon torii gates ("thousand torii gates") at the shrine, making it a scenic spot to stop by before going to the airport.
Enjoy Your Time at Haneda Airport
Sightseeing options have broadened thanks to renovations at Haneda Airport with areas like Edo Koji capturing the attention of many international visitors. Next time you arrive at or depart from Haneda Airport, how about spending time at the airport and discovering its hidden charms?
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