If you’re one of those lucky travelers who arrive at Haneda International Airport (HND), you will find it a super-convenient gateway to Tokyo and Japan. Here’s our full guide to arriving at Haneda
JAL planes on the tarmac at Haneda - image © Chris Rowthorn
Haneda Airport Introduction
Most international travelers to Japan arrive at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT), but more and more international flights to Japan are arriving at Haneda International Airport (Haneda for short). Haneda is about 14 kilometers or 8 miles south of central Tokyo, which means it’s very close to Tokyo. So, if you are choosing between Narita and Haneda and you can get a good deal on a Haneda flight, go for it!
Observation deck at Haneda Domestic Terminal - image © Chris Rowthorn
So, if you’re one of those lucky travelers flying into Haneda, here is our full step-by-step guide to arriving at the airport. We cover all the basics like getting money, buying SIM cards, luggage transfer, and airport transport to the city.
Step-by-Step Haneda Airport Arrival Guide
Once you clear immigration and customs at Haneda, you’ll emerge into the international arrivals hall. It’s a relatively small and compact area. There is an information counter right in the middle of the hall in case you have any questions.
Entering the international arrivals hall at Haneda - image © Chris Rowthorn
There are ATMs on either side of the exit into the arrivals hall from customs. The most useful of these is the Seven Bank ATM, which is on your left as you exit customs. Seven Bank ATMs work with most foreign cash cards.
Seven Bank ATMs at Haneda - image © Chris Rowthorn
On your right as you exit customs is a Japan Post ATM. These also work with most foreign cash cards.
Post ATMs at Haneda - image © Chris Rowthorn
Just to your left as you enter the arrivals hall, you’ll see a counter that sells limousine bus tickets. Limousine buses are a convenient option for those with a lot of luggage, because they’ll take you and your luggage straight to many hotels (so you don't have to lug your luggage through train and subway stations).
Limousine bus ticket counter at Haneda - image © Chris Rowthorn
If you’d like to buy a SIM card for your unlocked phone, you can buy a good one at BIC Camera, which is down the hall to your right as you exit customs.
Bic Camera at Haneda - image © Chris Rowthorn
Bic Camera carries a good selection of SIM cards. Note that these are data-only SIMs (tourists cannot easily buy voice SIMs in Japan). But, you can use Skype etc with them. Bic’s own Japan Travel Sims and IIJmio SIMS are both good options. For more details, see our Internet In Japan For Tourists: Wifi, Pocket Wifi, SIM Cards, Rental Phones etc page.
SIM cards in Bic Camera at Haneda - image © Chris Rowthorn
If you’d like to ship your heavy bags to your next destination, you will find JAL and ANA luggage delivery counters in the hall to your right as you exit customs.
Luggage delivery counters at Haneda - image © Chris Rowthorn
Once you’ve got some Japanese cash and a SIM card, and perhaps shipped your bags to your hotel, your next concern will probably be figuring out transport to Tokyo. As mentioned above, the limousine bus ticket counter is on the left as you exit customs. The two train options are at the end of the hall if you walk straight out of customs.
If you want to stay overnight at Haneda Airport before travelling into Tokyo, the Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda is located on the Departures floor of the International terminal.
For a full discussion of transport between Haneda and Tokyo, see our Tokyo Airport Transport page, which lists prices, trip durations and helps you choose the best option for you.
The Tokyo Monorail ticket machines, counter and entrance are on the left, at the back of the hall.
Tokyo Monorail ticket machines at Haneda - image © Chris Rowthorn
The Keikyu Line ticket machines, counter and entrance are on the right at the back of the hall.
Keikyu Line counter at Haneda - image © Chris Rowthorn
There is no JR line between Haneda and Tokyo. But, you can still buy a Japan Rail Pass and activate a Japan Rail Pass at the JR East Travel Service Center. It’s just past the Tokyo Monorail entrance on the left at the very back of the hall.
JR East Travel Service Center at Haneda. - image © Chris Rowthorn
If you’d like to take a taxi into Tokyo (which is a perfectly good option and doesn’t cost all that much), you will find the escalator down to the taxi boarding area on the 1st flood right behind the information counter. It’s marked in English.
Escalator down to taxi ranks at Haneda - image © Chris Rowthorn
If you’re connecting to a domestic flight in Japan, you have two options to get to the domestic terminal. You can show your ticket to the people at the Tokyo Monorail or the Keikyu Line counters and they will give you a free ticket to the domestic terminal (one stop away on either line) or you can take the shuttle bus which leaves from boarding spot 0 on the 1st floor. If you have bags to check for your domestic flight or if you need a boarding pass, proceed to the domestic check-in counters which are on your right as you exit customs.
Sign for domestic check-in counters at Haneda - image © Chris Rowthorn
If you’d like to grab a meal before continuing into Tokyo or boarding another flight, head to the restaurant and shopping area on the 4th floor of the international terminal.
Restaurant floor in the international terminal at Haneda - image © Chris Rowthorn
There’s a very attractive Japan-themed restaurant section here.
Restaurants in international terminal at Haneda - image © Chris Rowthorn
If you’re continuing on a domestic flight inside Japan, you’ll also find a good selection of restaurants in the domestic departure hall at Haneda.
Atrium in domestic departure hall at Haneda - image © Chris Rowthorn
Other Useful Information
- For full details on trains, buses and taxis between Narita Airport and Tokyo, see our Tokyo Airport Transport page.
- For full details on SIM cards, pocket wifi and cell phone rentals, see our Internet in Japan for Tourists page.
- For some recommended hotels for your stay in Tokyo, see our Tokyo Hotels page.
Tokyo Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Tokyo guide
- Check Tokyo accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com – usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Tokyo
- You can buy a Japan SIM card online for collection on arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda airports. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare airline flight prices and timings for the best Japan flight deals.
- If you're visiting more than one city, save a ton of money with a Japan Rail Pass – here's why it's worth it
- A prepaid Suica card makes travelling around Tokyo much easier - here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
