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June 1, 2014
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June 24, 2014Tokyo Haneda Intl. Airport Spotting Guide
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- last modified on November 09, 2018
Besides Tokyo Narita, our member Maximilian visited Tokyo International Airport (RJTT / HND), commonly known as Haneda, Japan’s largest airport, as well. After the construction of Narita Airport, HND has handled mainly domestic operations for several decades. International services were re-introduced just recently. To increase capacity, HND received its International Terminal plus a fourth runway in 2010. Meanwhile another expansion is planned for the Olympic Games. As it is located within Tokyo, the airport is much easier accessible and therefore more attractive for airlines as well as travellers than Narita. Keikyu Railway and Tokyo Monorail link HND with several stations in Central Tokyo. ANA and JAL both use HND as a transfer hub for domestic and international operations, while several smaller Japanese operators link the airport with selected domestic destinations, either at own risk or on behalf of ANA/JAL. These operators include Air Do to Hokkaido island, Solaseed to Kyushu island and other cities in southern Japan, Starflyer and Skymark. International operators are the major airlines of China, Korea and southeast Asia as well as some European and American carriers. Good weather is common at this airport, but during the hot summer months you sometimes have to face misty conditions or heat distortion.
Written by Maximilian Ono, David Will and Hiroaki Tanaka / Last update February 2018
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| Airport Information | Runways | 04/22 | 05/23 | |
| 2.500 m | 2.500 m | |||
| 16L/34R | 16R/34L | |||
| 3.000 m | 3.000 m | |||
| Terminals | Terminal 1 | Terminal 2 | International Terminal | |
| JAL Group, Skymark, Starflyer (operates from both domestic terminals). | ANA Group, Air Do, Solaseed, Starflyer (Starflyer operates from both domestic terminals). | All international services | ||
| Spotting Information | Ladder | Not required | ||
| Car | Not required. If using public transport there is a free shuttle bus between terminals, and if visiting on a weekend a day pass for the monorail (700 yen) taking you to near spot 5 is also available. This ticket will also get you back to downtown Tokyo. | |||
| Restrooms | Inside terminal buildings. | |||
| Drinks/Food | Inside terminal buildings. | |||
| Hotels | There are various hotels around the airport. | |||
| Season | Spotting is possible all year long. | |||
| Other | Using scanners should be legal, almost all locals are Using them (without hiding the devices). | |||
| Runway Usage | Wind from the north |
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| Wind from the south |
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Spot #1 –Terminal 1 Oberservation Deck – 16R departures or 34L arrivals, movements on Terminal 1 apron |
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| WHERE | Landside on the rooftop of Domestic Terminal 1. Just follow the signs. There is some kind of horizontal mesh where your camera lense easily fit trough. |
| WHAT | You can see and spot movements on the apron in front of Terminal 1. Movements on the International Terminal ramp are visible in the distance. During northern wind you can spot RWY 34L arrivals. During southern wind you can spot RWY 16R departures. |
| TIME | Best light conditions are in the early morning. Later, movements on the runway are in backlight. |
| MISC. | Shops and restrooms inside the terminal, possibly also on the terrace itself. Terrace is opened till 22:00 – 22:30 and free of charge. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Below 50mm for planes on the Terminal 1 apron. Longer lenses are required for planes on taxiways, on the runway and on the International apron. |
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Spot #2 – Terminal 2 Observation deck – 16L/34R arrivals and departures, movements on Terminal 2 apron |
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| WHERE | Landside on the rooftop of Domestic Terminal 2. Just follow the signs. There is some kind of horizontal mesh where your camera lense easily fit trough. |
| WHAT | You can see and spot all movements on Runway 16L/34R from here as well as movements on the apron in front of Terminal 2. |
| TIME | Best light conditions are in the afternoon. In the morning, movements on the runway are in backlight. The spot becomes useful by around 11 o’clock. |
| MISC. | Shops and restrooms inside the terminal, possibly also on the terrace itself. Terrace is opened till 10pm and free of charge. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Below 50mm for planes on the Terminal 2 apron. Longer lenses are required for planes on taxiways and the runway. |
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Spot #3 – International Terminal Observation deck – 16R departures or 34L arrivals, movements on Intl. apron |
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| WHERE | Landside of the rooftop of International Terminal. Just follow the signs. There is some kind of horizontal mesh where your camera lense easily fit trough. |
| WHAT | You can see and spot movements on the apron in front of the International Terminal. Movements on the domestic Terminal 1 ramp are visible in the distance. During northern wind you can spot RWY 34L arrivals. During southern wind you can spot RWY 16R departures. |
| TIME | Best light conditions are in the afternoon and during the night. In the morning, movements on the runway are backlit. The spot becomes useful by around 11 o’clock. |
| MISC. | Shops and restrooms inside the terminal, possibly also on the terrace itself. It is open 24h and free of charge. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Below 50mm for planes on the international apron. Longer lenses are required for planes on taxiways, on the runway and on the Terminal 1 ramp. |
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Spot #4 – Jonanjima Beach Park |
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| WHERE | There you can go by bus from JR Omori Station, Keikyu railway Heiwajima Station or Tokyo Monorail Ryutsu-Center Station. Take the bus line 森32 for “Jounanjima Circulation”(城南島循環) from each station and get off at “Jonanjima 4-Chome”(城南島四丁目). This bus is not running frequent (1 service per hour). |
| WHAT | There you can get 34R departures and 22 arrivals. |
| TIME | Best light conditions are in the early morning for 34R departures. When 22 arrivals best time is from afternoon to sunset. |
| MISC. | There are vending machine and toilets. But no store near here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Focal length is 200-500mm for 34R departures, 100-300mm at 22 arrivals. |
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Spot #5 – Keihinjima Tsubasa park |
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| WHERE | There can get there by bus from JR Omori Station, Keikyu railway Heiwajima Station or Tokyo Monorail Ryutsu-Center Station. Take bus line 森24, 森36 or 森46 to “Keihinjima Circulation”(京浜島循環) from each stations and get off at “Keihinjima”(京浜島三番地) or “Keihinjima Kaijo Kouen”(京浜島海上公園). This bus is not frequent too. |
| WHAT | You can see 34R depatures or 22 arrivals. |
| TIME | Best light conditions are from afternoon to sunset. |
| MISC. | There are vending machine and toilets. But no store near here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Focal length is 200-500mm for 34R departures, 150-400mm at 22 arrivals. |
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Spot #6 – Kawasaki Ukishima-Cho Park. |
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| WHERE | You can go there by bus from Kawasaki Station. Take the bus for “Ukishima bus terminal”(浮島バスターミナル) and get off at Ukishimachō” (浮島町公園). |
| WHAT | There you can see taxing to runway 05 and 34L arrivals. A fence is blocking the sight for the 05-ruwnay pics as you can see on the samples. |
| TIME | Best light conditions are afternoon to sunset. |
| MISC. | There is a toilet but no store and vending machine. If you want something to eat or drink, you should buy it near Kawasaki station. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Arrival focal length is 150-400mm and taxiway’s focal length is 200-400mm. |
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Spot #7 – ANA Terminal Car Park 2 |
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| WHERE | It is on the ANA Terminal Car Park 2 (north side car park), Level 6. You can reach this location by walking from the ANA terminal (terminal 2) to terminal 2 car park 2 (the more northerly of the two car parks at terminal 2). There is a connecting bridge from the terminal to the car park on level 3. From car park level 3 take the elevator to the 6th floor (not the roof as it is surrounded by a 2m wall) and turn right out of the elevator and walk to the north end of the car park. The VIP stands will be in front of you, with the Tokyo skyline behind. If you want to check if there is anything on the VIP stands you can do so from the connecting bridge. |
| WHAT | From this location you can see and photograph any visiting dignitaries aircraft on the VIP stands. Its not the best spot and only worth for a quick stop. Depending on the actual parking bay used by aircraft, unfortunately apron lighting poles can be an unwanted part of the photo so its better if you catch the aircraft while it is moving into its stand. The first gate of the terminal should be also not occupied by an aircraft as it will block the sight if the VIP aircraft is moving in. Japan has frequent visits by world presidents, prime ministers etc and most fly into Haneda rather than Narita. Most weeks there is something parked at this location. In the past the US government used Haneda for airforce 1 and 2, but now flies into Yokota airbase. |
| TIME | Best light is late morning to early afternoon. |
| MISC. | There are no problems with security at this location. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | For narrow body class 250mm+; for wide body 150mm. Often dignitaries show up with more than one aircraft – to photograph two or more aircraft together 100mm will be handy. |
31 Comments
Hello everybody – hope you all are OK. Next year is our long waited visit to Narita and Haneda. I’ve seen some nice pictures taken at haneda with famous Mount Fuji on the backgroudn. From which spot are these pictures taken ?
Hi, that’s from Spot 1 as it’s the only spot facing towards the mountain (to the southwest). But these pictures are only possible during clear weather as Mt. Fuji ist often hidden by clouds.
Can take pictures of the takeoff A/C with back ground Mt. Fuji, famous SID route of “HUMMINGBIRD ONE DEPARTURE” will be suspended end of March, 2019.
But continue can take landing on the RWY 16L and taxi-way with back ground Mt. Fuji from spot1 at the during clear weather .
Hi, Im planning a trip to Japan next year, and was hoping to visit the Tokyo Heliport from Haneda using public transport. Does anyone have any info or tips on making this trip from/to HND, and also whether a ladder is required at the heliport ? Being a tourist I wont have access to a ladder!
Many thanks in advance
Martin
I’m writing this as I sit at Tokyo Heliport, slow day. The fence is not that high if you go to where the 2 benches are ( check Google maps). I’m 190cm tall so I can shoot over the fence pretty easy, but if you are shorter, the helicopter will hover right in front of you and it will be above the fence, so no ladder needed.
Public transport is pretty easy and convenient, just follow Google maps and you’ll be set. My hotel is 10 mins away from HND and it took about an hour by public transport to get there.
Many thanks Huy Do.
Hi, is legal use scanner to listen comunication? Zdeněk
Hi Zdenek,
Nearly all locals are using scanners without hiding the device, even on the observation decks. So seems to be legal.
Regards
Marcus
Hi Marcus!
Thanks, information added to guide. Looking forward to your Tokyo pictures, Nase 😉
Regards, Severin
Hello, I’m planning a 3 days layover at Tokyo for planespotting. Do you know how long will the observavtion decks will open at HND since I’m planning to get some night shots there.
Thanks.
Hi, no, I’m not sure about the opening hours. But as the terraces are free of charge, they might be open as long as the terminal is accessible.
Hello,
Thanks for your reply. I did some research and seems they usually close the observation deck at 10pm. That should be more than enough for some night pictures 🙂
Hi!
Great to hear you found it yourself and thanks for the information, so we include these in our guide now. 🙂
Enjoy your stay in Japan; Regards, Severin
Hi there,
I am a local for HND, decks on T1 (JL) and T2 (NH) close at 10:00 or 10:30pm but the International terminal stays open all night. International terminal is also best for afternoon shots. For good shots with Mt Fuji in the background go to T1 in the early morning. Hope this is useful.
David
Hey David,
Thanks for the information. I’d probably stay on the international terminal deck for some night spotting then :). Since you are local at HND, have you ever try to go to Hyakuri for planespotting there? I’m planning to go over there for at least a day to try and get the JASDF F-4s.
Hi there, I want to travel to HND next Year. I see in the Pictures the Terrace is with Glass or Fence. Do they have holes in the Glass / Fence for the Lenses? Is it good to Photograph from the Terraces? When no Holes in the Fence or Glass it should be impossible. Any Information about the Conditions there? Thank you for Informations!
Hi Michael,
at both terraces there is a kind of horizontal mesh where your lense easily fit trough. Just have a look at the pic of spot #2 and you know what I mean.
-Julian
At spot 1, 2 and 3 you mentioned that you need a longer lens for planes on taxiways, on the runway and on the aprons. How many mm’s do you need for taxiway and runway shots?
Refering to the EXIF of the JAL777 at spot 2 the photo was taken with 135mm. So I think you are fine with a 300mm lense for smaller planes at all locations.
Does it takelong to get from veiwing point 1 to veiewing point 2.
I haven’t tried it, but I would guess it’s a 10-mins.-walk across both terminal buildings and the parking area.
Hi all,
I’m going to Japan next april (2017).
Do you think it’s possible to meet japanese plane spotters there?
Cheers
Math
Sure, it’s possible! As far as I remember, spotters are common at every observation deck on major Japanese airports.
I’ve often chatted with Japanese spotters at Haneda and Narita. Often they are welcoming of non-Japanese photographers and spotters and will share and exchange information and pleasantries However, some spotters may be shy of using English which may be an effort for them so you should respect the privacy of those who may seem less open. Also they may want to concentrate on their photography rather than social interaction. It is key to read body language. Foreigners are not expected to bow as deeply as Japanese but a smile and brief nod will soon reveal whether further social interaction is welcome. Often it is.
Hi. Can anyone tell me which runways are generally used in the month of October for:
1. Mid to large size domestic departures ie. B767, B777 & B787
2. Mid to large size domestic arrivals ie. B767, B777 & B787
Thank you.
Hi, I am sorry but we don´t have informations if there is a sepcial ruwnay usage in October.
Hi Julian,
Just found your great website. I am a UK spotter living in Japan. October is the time for the season to change in Japan so runway usage varies. All I can say is that as rule of thumb when departures on are 05 they are to destinations to the to south and west of Japan (west Japan, Okinawa, Shanghai, HK, SIN, MNL etc). Depts from 34R ( no depts off 34L) are to northern Japanese cities and Korean cities, Beijing and direct flights to Europe. At that time arrivals on 34R and 34L.
If using public transport there is a free shuttle bus between terminals, and if visiting on a weekend a day pass for the monorail (700 yen) taking you to near spot 5 is also available. This ticket will also get you back to downtown Tokyo.
If you want biz jet shots I recommend getting out the monorail at seibijo (整備場) and walking round to the big black gates at the fire gate entrance. It is just 2 stops from the international terminal. Japan Coast Guard rotary traffic can also be photographed here, though fence can get in the way a bit. Late afternoon is best for this spot.
Hope this is useful.
Dave
Thank you David for the information. I am trying to get information in preparation to photograph the ANA 787-9 R2-D2 livery on October 22nd which will fly 2 domestic flights that day.
Update on my comment about photographing biz jets at HND.
The maintenance area near the bizjet park is undergoing extensive changes in preparation for construction of a biz jet terminal and other facilities. A 30 foot mound of earth now greets you at a spot once great for photos. The fire gate (I mentioned before), a place where spotters used to gather is essentially a building sites. There seem to be changes each week in the ease of taking photos there.
Is it enough with 300 mm at Kawasaki Ukishima-Cho Park, Jonanjima Beach Park for taking the photo of landing? Thanks.
Hi there, we have updated the focal length for the Kawasaki Park so the focal length for e.g. a 737 is not enough but heavier planes are no problem.