Haneda layover

[Mollm]

I have a 7 hour layover in Haneda coming up. If I want to pass the time in the land-side of the airport (more shops etc), my understanding is that I need to go through immigration to get there and then re-enter airside via the usual checkin/ security process for my connecting flight. Assuming that is correct: 1. Do I need to complete the online form for entry on the “Visit Japan Website”? And 2. Do I re-enter airside by checking in with the same boarding pass (one booking for connecting flights)?

 

[Pushka]

I have no answers for you but many will. But I'd like to get an idea of what there is to do both pre and post immigration to fill in a few hours too.

 

[CaptJCool]

I have no answers for you but many will. But I'd like to get an idea of what there is to do both pre and post immigration to fill in a few hours too.

It’s a big airport
The JAL F lounge extends over 2 floors
For example there is a shoeshine service. Food on demand.



Inside the transit area is an airside hotel.

My layover was 16 hours and it priced around $300 for the night which included a bathtub bathrobes and comfortable bed




There is plenty of shopping including a Tokyo souvenir store

I noticed out the window of the hotel there was a monorail. Don’t know where it goes

 

[serfty]

The monorail goes to Hamamatsucho area which is near the Conrad Hilton.

Train & Monorail | Access | Haneda Airport Passenger Terminal

Information on access by train and monorail. This is the official website of Haneda Airport Passenger Terminal.

tokyo-haneda.com

You can use it for a quick trip to Tokyo central areas.

 

[elanshin]

I have a 7 hour layover in Haneda coming up. If I want to pass the time in the land-side of the airport (more shops etc), my understanding is that I need to go through immigration to get there and then re-enter airside via the usual checkin/ security process for my connecting flight.

Yes this is correct.

Assuming that is correct: 1. Do I need to complete the online form for entry on the “Visit Japan Website”?

Technically no, but you'll need to fill out a paper version instead - easier to do the one online.

And 2. Do I re-enter airside by checking in with the same boarding pass (one booking for connecting flights)?

If you already have your boarding pass then no need to "check -in" just head straight through to security.

I have no answers for you but many will. But I'd like to get an idea of what there is to do both pre and post immigration to fill in a few hours too.

As for things to do, airside there's enough food and restaurants not to go hungry but most of HNDs restaurants and shopping is landside.

With 7 hours I'd consider heading into downtown for 3-4 hours. There's more places than time so it'd depend on everyone's personal interests as to where to go.

 

[Pushka]

Yes this is correct.


Technically no, but you'll need to fill out a paper version instead - easier to do the one online.


If you already have your boarding pass then no need to "check -in" just head straight through to security.



As for things to do, airside there's enough food and restaurants not to go hungry but most of HNDs restaurants and shopping is landside.

With 7 hours I'd consider heading into downtown for 3-4 hours. There's more places than time so it'd depend on everyone's personal interests as to where to go.

I'll be arriving to the airport early after four weeks in Japan because the cruise transport deposits at 12.30pm and we have a 7.30pm flight out. Do have access to JAL first so there's always that!

 

[Captain Halliday]

For example there is a shoeshine service.

Has this resumed?

It closed during Covid and was still closed when I was there in December.

 

[kelvedon]

Went through immigration at HND three days ago. Saw no fast track for foreigners with QR ( which I didn’t have ). Queue took about a hour to reach the machines to be fingerprinted and photographed, which was then rechecked by immigration officer. Apparently not an unusual experience and made SYD look quite efficient ! Had arrived on JAL at 5 pm. Customs was quick.
Leaving at 7.30 am, security and emigration was only about 10 minutes using the facial recognition obtained on entry.
Unless you’re popping into town for a few hours, the restaurants landslide are not worth the immigration hassle. There are a number airside, or use the transit hotel which has an airside section.

 

[Mollm]

Thanks for sharing your detailed experience. I’m not planning to pass the time by going into Tokyo. I’ve heard Haneda land side is a destination in itself, but had been wondering if it was worth the hassle, so thanks again

 

[Pushka]

It’s a big airport
The JAL F lounge extends over 2 floors
For example there is a shoeshine service. Food on demand.
View attachment 406705
View attachment 406706View attachment 406707

Inside the transit area is an airside hotel.
View attachment 406704
My layover was 16 hours and it priced around $300 for the night which included a bathtub bathrobes and comfortable bed
View attachment 406703
View attachment 406701


There is plenty of shopping including a Tokyo souvenir store

I noticed out the window of the hotel there was a monorail. Don’t know where it goes
View attachment 406702

The best shopping is in transit or before going through security/exit process? Plan on checking in luggage (JAL so presume I can do this anytime prior) then explore then security and head to lounge.

 

[elanshin]

Has this resumed?

It closed during Covid and was still closed when I was there in December.

It's been back for a while.

Went through immigration at HND three days ago. Saw no fast track for foreigners with QR ( which I didn’t have ). Queue took about a hour to reach the machines to be fingerprinted and photographed, which was then rechecked by immigration officer. Apparently not an unusual experience and made SYD look quite efficient ! Had arrived on JAL at 5 pm. Customs was quick.
Leaving at 7.30 am, security and emigration was only about 10 minutes using the facial recognition obtained on entry.
Unless you’re popping into town for a few hours, the restaurants landslide are not worth the immigration hassle. There are a number airside, or use the transit hotel which has an airside section.

Thanks for sharing your detailed experience. I’m not planning to pass the time by going into Tokyo. I’ve heard Haneda land side is a destination in itself, but had been wondering if it was worth the hassle, so thanks again

Immigration is really a roll of the dice on exactly when you arrive, how busy the season is etc. It can get REALLY bad (2-3hr) during absolute peak. Or it can be nobody in line.

The restaurants and shopping landside HND is better than airside but personally I'd rather go into town if you're already clearing immigrations. There's something to be seen for one of the busiest and most efficient city in the world. It also gives you more of a proper slice of Tokyo to decide whether you make a trip to in the future.

If you've been before then that changes the equation completely.

I'll be arriving to the airport early after four weeks in Japan because the cruise transport deposits at 12.30pm and we have a 7.30pm flight out. Do have access to JAL first so there's always that!

I believe you'll be dropped off at Odaiba (which physical distance wise is very close to HND).
There's a few interesting things in that area to check out including fake statue of liberty and the giant real life sized gundam (20m+ replica robot).

The bigger problem is your luggage which you can probably find a coin locker at a station to store for a while if there's none at the cruise terminal.

Otherwise once you get to HND any last meal cuisines I'd look for landside. JL F is a solid lounge and they have their own sushi bar. But their food offering is limited (usually curry, Japanese meal box, a couple of pasta dishes, a slider burger (usually plant based), some soups. Solid alcohol choice with a dedicated bar area.

The shopping experience at HND is soso. I'd rather do it elsewhere. Although I will buy my souvenir snacks and duty free alcohol airside.

 

[elanshin]

The best shopping is in transit or before going through security/exit process? Plan on checking in luggage (JAL so presume I can do this anytime prior) then explore then security and head to lounge.

You can check JL in at any time. Look for the OWE desk (or the secret door for JL F class).

Shopping honestly at HND is eh. You get better selections elsewhere. Duty free airside is decently priced for alcohol but nothing rare.

Landside there's a Sora-Donki (small version of DonQuixote a big discount supermarket at the airport) there's a few other bits and bobs of Japanese cultural stuff, but it all feels very limited compared to any actual shopping place in town.

 

[Pushka]

You can check JL in at any time. Look for the OWE desk (or the secret door for JL F class).

Shopping honestly at HND is eh. You get better selections elsewhere. Duty free airside is decently priced for alcohol but nothing rare.

Landside there's a Sora-Donki (small version of DonQuixote a big discount supermarket at the airport) there's a few other bits and bobs of Japanese cultural stuff, but it all feels very limited compared to any actual shopping place in town.

Thanks for the honest review then. More F lounge it is. I'm guessing only F pax can use the secret door?

 

[elanshin]

Thanks for the honest review then. More F lounge it is. I'm guessing only F pax can use the secret door?

Yes for the F Check-in it's for F Pax only. The old F check in desks next to J is now effectively for OWE check in (and to direct the F pax).

Japan Airlines Adds First Class "Entrance" At Tokyo Haneda Airport

Japan Airlines is introducing an exclusive new check-in experience at Tokyo Haneda Airport for first class passengers.

onemileatatime.com

 

[CaptJCool]

Has this resumed?

It closed during Covid and was still closed when I was there in December.

YES
The Doc Martin’s came up a treat !