Tokyo Haneda Airport

Tokyo International Airport, also known as Tokyo Haneda Airport, is a less-hectic way to fly into Japan’s dazzling capital city of Tokyo. Located along Tokyo Bay on the outskirts of the city, the futuristic airport, is one alternative to the city’s main international airport, Tokyo Narita Airport, actually located an hour outside of Tokyo by train.

Formerly a military airfield that later became the hub of Japan’s international air traffic for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Haneda is an award-winning airport that primarily handles domestic flights. In fact, Japan Airlines, one of the major Japanese airlines, only runs international flights out of Narita Airport. Still, you cannot beat Haneda’s convenience as well as ease of travel to and from your flight.

The futuristic, sleek look of Haneda Airport.

It is Asia’s third-busiest airport and took first place in SKYTRAX’s “World’s Best Domestic Airport” and “Best Airport Terminal Cleanliness” categories.

Overall, Tokyo Haneda Airport is relatively compact and easy to navigate, consisting of three terminals. Terminals 1 and 2, which are for domestic flights, are connected via an underground walkway. A complimentary shuttle bus links the domestic terminals (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) to the International Terminal.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 is used by JAL (Japan Airlines) and the low-budget airlines Starflyer and Skymark for routes bound for Kita Kyushu and Fukuoka. It has six floors, featuring an indoor fountain and a spacious shopping area reminiscent of Tokyo’s most famous department stores.

For a temporary refresher or overnight stays, travelers can make use of the First Cabin Hotel, a compact hotel resembling the first class cabin of an airplane.

Photo by: atmtx The third floor at Haneda Airport.

Terminal 2

ANA (All Nippon Airlines), Air Do, Solaseed Air and Starflyer flights bound for Yamaguchi Ube airport and Kansai use Terminal 2. Like Terminal 1, Terminal 2 has six floors featuring a variety of shopping and dining options. The terminal’s largest restaurant is located inside the Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu, which is connected directly to the Departure Lobby of Terminal 2.

International Terminal

While Narita Airport handles the bulk of international air traffic to and from Japan, there is currently servicing to 31 cities across Asia, North America, Europe, Oceania, and the Middle East. The International Terminal also houses the Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda, which is accessible via the departure lounge on the third floor.

Travelers connecting from an international flight can skip passport control and immigration and head straight to the Transit Hotel to rest up before continuing onto their journey.

The traditional stage in Haneda Airport. The stage is part of the Edo Market inside the terminal.

Before your flight departs, enjoy a final meal of Japanese cuisine at the Edo Market on the 4th Floor and purchase a few keepsakes at the Tokyo Pop Town area on the 5th floor.

With access to points across Tokyo in under just one hour, it’s not hard to see why the number of travelers arriving to Tokyo Haneda Airport is steadily increasing.

For more on flights and transport in Japan, check out our Japan 101 guide.