Tokyo International Airport, also known as Haneda Airport, is a major gear that connects Japan to the world. The airport also has many activities for people waiting on their flight, or it could be the start of the experience for the people who had just arrived in Japan.
Table of Contents
- Tokyo International Airport
- Connecting Japan to the world
- Things you can do before your flight in Terminal 3
- Summary
Tokyo International Airport
Japan is one of the most famous international destinations in the world. It hosts a plethora of activities that both locals and tourists enjoy. Japan offers scenic landscapes and seascapes, several bustling and thriving shopping districts, traditional teahouses, and the effervescent cherry blossoms! All that Japan offers and more is the primary reason why Japan’s airports, such as Haneda Airport, also known as Tokyo International Airport, are busy hosting and flying tourists to and from Japan. In fact, in 2019, Haneda Airport hosted almost 85 million passengers ranking it 5th in passenger traffic in the world! Let’s have an in-depth look at Tokyo International Airport and its fascinating features.
※ Airports Council International, "ACI reveals top 20 airports for passenger traffic, cargo, and aircraft movements"
Haneda Airport was first established in the early 1930s, built as a second airport in a reclaimed piece of the land. Tachikawa Airfield was considered as Tokyo’s main airport back then, but because the airstrips used Japan’s beaches, Japan had to build a second more stable airport, and thus Haneda Airport was born. This airport catered to both international and local flights during the pre-war era. There was a steady increase in passengers during this time, but airport operation for the public stopped during World War II. Haneda Airport was primarily used as an airbase to serve the war. After World War II ended, Haneda Airport boomed back into business as it reclaimed the spot of Tokyo’s primary airport. However, it just catered to domestic flights. In 2010, Terminal 3 was built for international flights, and is continuing to expand today. Because of all of these expansions, Haneda Airport became one of the busiest airports in the world.
※ Japan National Tourism Organization, "Haneda Airport"
Because Japan only offers the best, including excellent aviation and customer service, here are some of the notable achievements and awards that the Haneda Airport received:
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The Best Airport catering to around 70 million passengers,
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World’s Cleanest Airport,
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World’s Best Domestic Airport,
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World’s Best PRM/Accessible Facilities in 2020.
These achievements are a testament to the excellent services that Japan offers.
※ Skytrax World Airport Awards, "The World’s Best Airports in 2020 are announced"
Writer's Pick
Connecting Japan to the world
There are three (3) main terminals in the Haneda Airport.
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Terminal 1, which Japanese locals fondly call “the Big Bird,” mostly caters to local flights. This terminal has over six stories filled with bustling restaurants, shopping centers, and a handful of conference rooms. It also hosts an observation deck and a rooftop cafe for those who want to relax while waiting to board their planes.
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Terminal 2 first opened in the late months of 2004, and mostly catered to domestic flights. However, a portion of Terminal 2 began to cater to international flights for the Tokyo Olympics which was initially scheduled in 2020. Terminal 2 hosts a hotel, six stories worth of restaurants, and an open-air restaurant.
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Terminal 3 was established in 2010 and catered to international flights. It holds a big, bustling shopping area together with several airport lounges.
Besides the three primary terminals, Haneda Airport hosts a cargo facility, which is the third-largest in Japan. It also hosts business jets primarily used to cater to Japanese government officials. Haneda Airport is also usually the airport of choice of foreign heads of states who visit Japan as it offers one of the best airport security services. Lastly, the Japanese coast guard also has a base in the Haneda Airport used by a special underwater rescue unit.
The primary modes of transportation in the Haneda Airport after landing can be via train or taxi. Japanese would often use the connecting train from Haneda to the Keikyu line or avail of the monorail transport system. Another popular option for the ground system at Haneda Airport is to take an airport limousine bus. Taxis are also an alternate option for ground transits off the airport.
Things you can do before your flight in Terminal 3
Since Haneda Airport offers a plethora of activities in whatever terminal you will be in, make sure that you check out the following activities when you have a long layover in the Haneda Airport, or while waiting to board your plane.
Spend time at the Planetarium Starry Cafe
The Planetarium Starry Cafe offers a unique dining experience for passengers who are within the vicinity of the Haneda Airport. The cafe features a solar system theme and projects stars on the ceiling for guests to enjoy. The cafe is open to anyone who would want to relax before boarding their respective flights. They offer a standard menu of western meals of an average price.
Visit TIAT Sky Road
For passengers who would want to know more about the aviation industry, a trip to the TIAT Sky Road is surely a must-see! The TIAT Sky Road Walking Trip educates guests on the different airplane models, including facts and other neat information about the Aviation Industry. This is a great learning opportunity for passengers who have a few hours to kill before boarding their respective flights.
Relax at Cabin Atagoyama
For tired tourists who have a long layover at the Haneda Airport, Cabin Atagoyama is the first capsule hotel within the vicinity! It offers a safe and relaxing space for tourists who would want to settle down, relax, and refresh before their next flight.
Experience traditional Japan at Nihonbashi Bridge and Edo Koji
If you want to experience a traditional take on Japan, head to the Nihonbashi Bridge and Edo Koji at the Tokyo airport! You will be greeted by handmade paper lanterns that are perfect to purchase and share with your family and friends. There are many authentic traditional foods you can try such as Japanese gourmet food, sweets, and soybeans. You can also check out the replica of the Nihonbashi bridge while you’re in the area! It’s a great place to take photos.
Buy capsule toys as good souvenirs
Haneda Airport is also known for its cute toys ranging from the ever-kawaii Hello Kitty to the adventurous Pokemon Pikachu! These are surely great gifts to purchase and give away as souvenirs and tokens for family and friends back home! Capsule toys are one of the best souvenirs you can bring home to your friends. A row of these capsule toy machines can be found on the departure level (3rd floor) of the International Terminal or Gashapon Sky Shop on the B1 floor of Terminal 1.
Summary
Whether if it’s for a layover or if you are choosing an airport to land to when you get to Japan, Haneda Airport surely offers a wide variety of activities and experiences - from a starry meal under millions of twinkling lights to a toy shopping spree, foreigners and tourists will surely have a great time in one of Japan’s best airports. Indeed, Haneda Airport offers unique experiences for foreigners to enjoy, so if you are planning to fly to Japan, choose Tokyo International Airport!
