Exploring Hnd Airport And Its Surroundings

what to do around hnd airport

Haneda Airport (HND) is one of the busiest airports in the world, with approximately 90 million passengers travelling through its terminals each year. However, there's more to do here than simply wait for your flight. Haneda offers a variety of restaurants and shops, as well as observation decks where you can watch planes take off and land while sipping on a glass of Haneda Sky Ale. Outside the airport, you can explore Japan's largest Chinatown, with over 250 Chinese-owned shops and restaurants. If you're looking for a more traditional experience, the Hasedera Temple, established in the 8th century, is a short trip away, as is the Kōtoku-in temple, which features a colossal 11-meter-tall statue of Amitābha. For a more modern experience, the Yokohama Cosmoworld amusement park offers roller coasters, carnival games, and more.

Characteristics Values
Transport Accessible via train, limousine bus, or monorail from Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, or Shibuya Station
Distance from city center 30 minutes
Terminals 3
Hotels The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda (Terminal 3), Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu (Terminal 2), First Cabin Tokyo Haneda (Terminal 1)
Attractions Jonanjima Seaside Park, Senzokuike Park, Ikegami Honmonji Temple, Tokyo Pop Town, Haneda Nihonbashi Bridge, Edo Koji, TIAT Sky Road, Haneda Innovation City, Minato Mirai 21, Yokohama Cosmoworld, Hasedera Temple, Kōtoku-in Temple, Anamori Inari Shrine, ANA Blue Hangar Tour, JAL Sky Museum, Haneda Airport Garden, Tsukiji Fish Market, Odaiba
Dining Haneda Airport Garden Spa, Hasunuma Onsen, Tokyo Pop Town, Haneda Innovation City, Chinatown

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Visit the Edo Koji area, designed to resemble an Edo-period street

Haneda Airport is not just an airport but a destination in itself, with a wealth of attractions, shopping, and food. One of its standout attractions is the Edo Koji area, designed to resemble an Edo-period street. Located on the fourth floor of Terminal 3's Departure Lobby, Edo Koji offers a glimpse into Japan's rich history and culture. Here are some things to do and see in this unique area:

Explore the Replica Edo-era Street: Edo Koji is a recreation of a traditional Edo-period street, complete with wooden buildings, shops, and restaurants. The architecture and decor transport visitors back in time to the Edo period, which lasted from 1603 to 1868. The street is adorned with large Nishiki-e (woodblock prints), resembling a miniature version of the Kabukiza theater in Higashi Ginza.

Shop for Traditional Japanese Goods: The shops in Edo Koji offer a range of retro-modern Japanese items and souvenirs. You can find traditional gifts, household accessories, and unique food items. There is also a confectionery store selling sweets from the Edo period, providing a taste of Japan's rich food culture.

Dine at Edo-themed Restaurants: Edo Koji is home to several restaurants and dining options that showcase Japanese cuisine. You can enjoy Edo-mae sushi, oden (Japanese hot pot), and other delicacies in Edo-mae Yokocho. For a quick bite, Okonomi Yokocho offers freshly made rice balls, breads, and takeout items.

Visit the Nihonbashi Bridge: Cross the wooden Haneda Nihonbashi Bridge, a replica of an Edo-era bridge stretching 25 meters. It offers a photogenic opportunity and a taste of 19th-century Japan. The adjacent wall features folding screens depicting bustling scenes from the Edo period, highlighting the achievements of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the Third Shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Near Edo Koji, there are other attractions as well. Tokyo Pop Town, for instance, offers a modern twist on Japanese pop culture, with a gift shop and the Starry Cafe Planetarium. Additionally, the TIAT Sky Road leads to an observation deck, providing panoramic views of the airport and its runways.

The Edo Koji area at Haneda Airport is a great way to experience a blend of traditional and modern Japan, all within the convenient setting of the airport. Whether you're looking for souvenirs, cultural insights, or a delicious meal, Edo Koji has something for everyone.

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Explore Japan's largest Chinatown, with over 250 Chinese-owned shops and restaurants

Japan's largest Chinatown, located in Yokohama, is a quick trip from Haneda Airport. It features over 250 Chinese-owned shops and restaurants, with a variety of traditional Chinese food and products. The area is known for its vibrant, colourful streets, with four gates standing at the entrances and five within.

Chinatown is a great place to try various types of Chinese food, including large nikuman (meat buns), shumai (pork dumplings), shouronbou (steamed buns with soup inside), tea, fried sesame balls, and egg tarts. The shops offer a range of traditional Chinese items such as clothing, charms, lanterns, incense, medicine, spices, jewellery, and panda memorabilia.

The area is rich in history, having been founded around 1859 when Yokohama Port opened for trade between China and Japan. It became the residence of many Chinese traders who settled in the city, and today, it is primarily a tourist spot and dining destination. The Kanteibyo, a colourful temple dedicated to the Chinese god of good business and prosperity, was constructed in 1871 with donations from Chinese residents.

Chinatown's biggest celebration is the Lunar New Year, which usually falls in January or February. The streets come alive with lion dances, firecrackers, martial arts performances, and traditional Chinese music. A month later, the Lantern Festival marks the end of the New Year festivities, with beautiful lanterns laid out in front of Masobyo.

If you're looking to immerse yourself in Chinese culture and cuisine, Yokohama's Chinatown is a must-visit destination, conveniently located just a short distance from Haneda Airport.

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Experience the Haneda hot springs, featuring black kuroyu baths renowned for their moisturising effect

Haneda Airport is easily accessible from numerous incredible attractions, ensuring travellers have plenty of time to explore before or after their flight. One such attraction is the Haneda hot springs, featuring black kuroyu baths renowned for their moisturising effect.

Kuroyu, which translates to "black water", is a cold mineral spring of humic acid, drawing its minerals from leaves and grass. These springs are abundant in minerals and are often called "'beautiful skin springs' due to their positive skin effects. The black water is also said to warm you to your core, preventing a chill after stepping out of the bath.

There are several notable kuroyu baths near Haneda Airport. The first is Hasunuma Onsen, a public bath that combines elements of the past and present in its design. Located in the Kamata area, known for its high concentration of public baths, Hasunuma Onsen is accessible via a two-minute walk from Hasunuma Station. Another notable bathhouse is Jakotsuyu, which is both modern and clean while maintaining a traditional atmosphere, with a beautiful picture of Mount Fuji in both the male and female baths. Jakotsuyu is also tattoo-friendly and offers extra services such as shampoo, body soap, and towel rentals.

If you're looking for a more unique combination, head to Musashino Natural Hot Spring Nagomi-no-Yu, located a one-minute walk from Ogikubo Station's West Exit. Here, you can enjoy a delicious bowl of ramen in the ramen battleground of Ogikubo before soaking your body in the natural hot spring. Nagomi-no-Yu offers a variety of indoor and open-air baths, including one-person open-air baths with a view of the sky, a carbonated spring bath, a jet bath, and a cold bath.

For those seeking a more relaxed atmosphere, Nu Land is a well-known kuroyu natural hot spring located near Kamata Station. Accessible via a 20-minute shuttle bus ride from the Haneda Airport International Terminal, Nu Land offers eight kinds of baths, including an electric bath, a jet bath, and an open-air bath. After bathing, you can enjoy the relaxation facilities, have a meal, or simply recline in front of the TV. Massages are also available at an extra cost.

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Take in the views of Tokyo Bay at Jonanjima Seaside Park, with the option to camp and BBQ

Haneda Airport is far more than just an airport—it's a destination in itself, with a wealth of food, shopping, and attractions. One such attraction is the Jonanjima Seaside Park, a pleasant place for strolling along Tokyo Bay and even camping and barbecuing. The park is only half an hour from central Tokyo and even closer to Haneda Airport, but its atmosphere feels like a beachside resort.

Take in the beautiful views of Tokyo Bay and the lush greenery of the park. Watch ships entering and leaving the bay area and planes taking off and landing at Haneda Airport. The park is a popular spot for plane enthusiasts and local kids alike. If you're planning a longer stay, Jonanjima Seaside Park offers several campgrounds and barbecue facilities.

For those who want to extend their outdoor activities beyond the park, the nearby Hasunuma Onsen is a great option. Featuring black hot springs, or kuroyu baths, these famous Haneda hot springs are renowned for their moisturising effects and healing properties for sore joints.

If you're looking for a more urban experience, Tokyo Pop Town offers a hands-on experience of modern Japanese pop culture, with a gift shop and the Starry Café Planetarium. Or, take a trip to Japan's largest Chinatown, just a quick trip from Haneda Airport. With over 250 Chinese-owned shops and restaurants, it offers a remarkable glimpse of the combined cultures of China and Japan.

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Head to the observation deck for panoramic views of the airport and its runways

Haneda Airport (HND) is easily accessible from numerous incredible attractions, ensuring travellers have plenty of time to explore their surroundings before their flight. One of the best things to do around HND Airport is to head to the observation deck for panoramic views of the airport and its runways.

The observation deck is a great place to plane spot and watch airplanes take off and land up close. It offers a panoramic view of the airport and its four runways, with the Tokyo skyline in the background. The observation deck is located just a short walk from the check-in hall. Take the elevator up a couple of levels to the fifth floor while still landside, and you’ll see signage leading to the observation deck. The rooftop observation deck in Terminal 3 is open to the public free of charge. Even now, Terminal 3 is where international flights take off and land, so from the observation deck, you can see planes from all over the world. There are loads of seats available, as well as vending machines.

If you have more time to explore, there are several other attractions around HND Airport. Japan's largest Chinatown is just a quick trip away, featuring more than 250 Chinese-owned shops and restaurants to explore. The Yokohama Cosmoworld amusement park, just across the harbour, is also worth a visit, with Ferris wheels, high-speed roller coasters, and carnival games. If you're looking for a more relaxing activity, the Jonanjima Seaside Park offers a pleasant stroll along Tokyo Bay and even camping and BBQ facilities.

For those interested in history and culture, the Hasedera Temple, established in the 8th century, is a centuries-old monument located in the leafy hills to the west of Kamakura. The Kōtoku-in Buddhist temple, designated as one of Japan's National Treasures, is another must-see, featuring a colossal outdoor bronze statue of Amitābha. Closer to the airport, the Edo Koji area is designed to resemble an Edo-period street, offering a unique glimpse into Japan's past.

Frequently asked questions

Haneda Airport is a great entry point to explore Tokyo and Yokohama. Here are some things to do around the airport:

- Visit the Edo Koji area, designed to resemble an Edo-period street.

- Head to Jonanjima Seaside Park for a stroll or a camping trip, with views of Tokyo Bay and planes taking off and landing.

- Check out Tokyo Pop Town for a hands-on experience of modern Japanese pop culture.

- Take the Keikyū Airport Line train from Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station to Keikyu-Kamata Station and explore the laid-back district of Kamata, featuring shopping streets, dining, and a unique take on Japanese hot springs.

- Visit the Hasedera Temple, a centuries-old monument established in the 8th century, featuring a wooden statue of Kannon that rises to over nine meters tall.

Haneda Airport offers a variety of restaurants and shops, as well as observation decks where you can see planes taking off and landing with Tokyo in the background. You can also enjoy a glass of Haneda's craft beer, Haneda Sky Ale, and stay at the First Cabin Tokyo Haneda, an airplane-themed capsule hotel located in Terminal 1.

Japan's largest Chinatown is a quick trip from Haneda Airport, featuring over 250 Chinese-owned shops and restaurants. For a glimpse of traditional Japanese culture, the Ikegami Honmonji Temple, the main temple of Nichiren Buddhism, is located near the airport. Additionally, the Anamori Inari Shrine is another cultural site worth visiting.

Senzokuike Park is a popular spot for families, featuring strolling gardens and a large pond with swan paddle boats. Jonanjima Seaside Park, mentioned earlier, also offers a pleasant natural escape near the airport.

The Yokohama Cosmoworld amusement park, located across the harbour from Minato Mirai 21, the city's ultra-modern central business district, offers Ferris wheels, roller coasters, and carnival games. For a unique bathing experience, the Hasunuma Onsen features black hot springs, known for their moisturising effects and ability to enhance blood circulation.

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