SENPAI Japan Experience Journal: Haneda Airport International Terminal Three Spots for Fun and Relaxation: Have Some Fun at Haneda While You're Waiting for Your Plane!

This time I’ll introduce some interesting spots around Haneda Airport International Terminal. If you arrive at the airport early, or have some time in between flights, check out this guide for fun things to do at Haneda Airport International Terminal.

The Tourist Information Center is located in the International Terminal Arrival Lobby. I recommend stopping by to get information about traveling in Japan. You’ll receive a warm welcome from the staff, and you can pick up a variety of tourist pamphlets for free.

The center is staffed by multilingual attendants, so don’t be afraid to approach them if you need help. Inside to the right is a touch panel computer packed with tons of information to aid you in your travels.

If you take a good look around, it’s clear a lot of thought was put into this place. Looking at various exhibits like the origami and souvenir displays, it’s plain to see that a lot of effort was devoted to extend a heartfelt welcome to tourists who come to Tokyo.

Connecting TOKYO POP TOWN and the festival plaza and observation deck is a walkway with numerous model planes on display. If you love planes, you definitely don’t want to miss this place. It’s also fun to find all the planes that you’ve ridden on.

Here you can find the ever-popular flight simulators. Kids and grown-ups alike can have fun playing on one of the 4 simulators. You can choose your flight path and the difficulty level. Since this was my first time, I went with the easiest level. Even though it was just the beginner level, once I got into the pilot’s seat, it was as if everything melted away around me as I focused on the flight controls with intense concentration. Since I’m not that great at games, there were times when I felt a bit lost as to what I should do.

Even though it was only for a short time, I came to better understand how difficult a pilot’s job is, and this experience has increased my respect for those who devote themselves to this profession. This wasn’t just a simple game. I think it would be an especially good experience for kids.

After you’ve taken the flight simulator for a spin, head to the Observation Deck to check out some real planes. Clutching their impressive professional-level cameras, plane enthusiasts come here to take photos of planes from all over the world taking off and landing at Haneda.

The Observation Deck is spacious and being here feels somehow liberating. When the weather’s good you can even see the Sky Tree from here. The night view is fantastic, so this is quite a popular spot for couples, too. And there’s no kid who doesn’t love planes, so I highly recommend bringing them here.

Did you know that at Haneda, you can enjoy casual dining while gazing up at the starry night sky? Come to
PLANETARIUM Starry Cafe if you want to relax a bit before heading to your flight.

The PLANETARIUM Starry Cafe on the fifth floor of Haneda Airport International Terminal’s COOL ZONE is popular not just with airline passengers—there are people who come all the way to the airport just to experience this unique café. Bring a date to experience an intimate candlelit meal under the stars.

Short animations are screened here and they change according to the season. The view of the starry sky from Haneda and other animations are around 3 to 15 minutes long, and there are quite a variety of them. They are mostly in Japanese, but depending on the program there may be both Japanese and English screenings.

Show times: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from 5:30 to 11:00 p.m.

I was at the cafe for about 50 minutes. The most impressive programs were Southern Ocean Promenade and The Story of the Star Festival. The dome was much larger than I had imagined. I wouldn’t compare the night sky scenes to what you can see at a planetarium, but they looked great on the dome and I loved the ambiance.

The scenes of the sea in Southern Ocean Promenade made me feel like I was at an aquarium at the bottom of the ocean, surrounded by beautiful fish that usually can’t be seen.

While being surrounded by the twinkle of stars, I was also lucky to see the legend of the ill-fated lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi play out overhead.

Each animation is short, but there is a great variety of them, so you never get tired of watching. Once you pay the entrance fee, you can relax here for as long as you’d like. Great food and drink and a starry sky overhead—who would have thought there’d be such a wonderful place as this tucked away in an airport?

Exit the cafe and head to the right to take a commemorative photo. There are many kinds photo kiosks spread out all throughout Japan, but for just 500 yen, you can get your picture taken at a unique photo kiosk that’s only available at Haneda Airport!

Suginoko is a restaurant serving Japanese cuisine in Haneda Airport. It is open 24 hours a day, so it’s a really convenient place to grab a bite if you’re coming in on a late night flight. The restaurant can accommodate up to 44 diners, so compared to other restaurants it’s not as crowded. Suginoko features a jam-packed menu that includes a variety of Japan’s staple dishes—teishoku set meals, donburi, udon, yakitori, sashimi and more! I was quite happy with the wide selection.

I ordered the Iwaidori Chinese fried chicken set (1,100 yen) and my friend went with the sushi bowl set (bara chirashidon teishoku). The portions were quite hefty, so after eating I was pretty full. I recommend this restaurant if you’re craving some Japanese cuisine before you get on your flight back home.

Haneda Airport is popular as a tourist destination in and of itself. Here you can experience the Japan of long ago with a touch of the modern chic of the Tokyo of today through Haneda’s Nihonbashi Bridge, the shopping corridor fashioned in the style of Edo-era shopping streets, and TOKYO POP TOWN.

On the 4th floor of Haneda International Airport is the Edo Butai (Edo Stage), where many cultural events take place.

Fashioned in the style of an Edo-Period town is the Edo Komichi. Although it isn’t very large, you can really get a taste of the atmosphere of the golden age of Japan. There are a variety of restaurants here that transmit the culture and tradition of Japan through Japanese staples such as yakitori, oden, ramen and more. You’ll feel like you’ve taken a step back in time!

*The hours of operation of each restaurant vary.

Did you know that there’s an actual bridge inside Haneda Airport?

Long ago, all the highways that left Edo started in Nihonbashi. In Haneda Airport there is a replica of a bridge that once stood in Edo, and served as the starting point of all journeys. Before you start your journey, why not cross Haneda’s Nihonbashi for good luck?

Haneda Nihonbashi Bridge is 25m in length and is made out of actual Japanese cypress. Under the bridge is a place to rest with benches. Crossing the bridge while gazing at the folding screens on display, then taking a rest on one of the benches below, you’ll forget that you’re actually inside an airport!

On the other side of the bridge we saw two samurai battling it out. You can make a reservation to be the star of your own samurai movie and have it shot at Haneda’s Nihonbashi Bridge! Try on traditional Japanese clothing and transform into a swordsman by learning the way of the warrior.
Become a samurai or ninja and make some wonderful memories.
Reservations can be made at the site below.
SAMURAI FILM WEB

TOKYO POP TOWN on the 5th floor is divided into the “HOT ZONE” and the “COOL ZONE.” Inside are anime character goods stores, accessory shops and toy stores. Here’s a great place to buy last-minute souvenirs for the folks back home.

How about leaving something of yourself behind at Haneda Airport? On the 4th floor, write your wishes on a wooden tag and hang it up on the wall with the thoughts and hopes of travelers from around the world. Maybe your wishes will come true! You can also take the tag home with you as a memento. The wooden tags can be purchased from a vending machine for 500 yen.

Well, what do you think? Haneda Airport is a great travel destination in and of itself. If you didn’t have time to check out Haneda Airport this time, definitely make room in your schedule on your next trip so you can experience everything the airport has to offer.

Haneda Airport International Terminal Official Website
*For the most up-to-date information, please visit the website listed.