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Thursday, November 28, 2024

Exploring Haneda Airport : Terminal 1, 2 and 3

Last month, my husband and I traveled to Japan and stayed a night at the new Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport, which is conveniently connected to Haneda Airport Terminal 3. We decided to fully explore Haneda Airport and took a free shuttle bus to visit Terminals 1, 2, and 3.

Haneda Airport Terminal 1

Haneda Airport Terminal 1 primarily serves domestic flights, with a focus on Japan Airlines (JAL) and its partner airlines.

Haneda Airport Shinto Shrine

Shinto Shrine in Terminal 1

Did you know there's a shrine in Haneda Airport Terminal 1? I think most Japanese people don't even know about it. We found out about it through a Japanese YouTube video and decided to check it out.

The Haneda Airport Shrine is tucked away and can be hard to find, so it doesn't seem to get many visitors. It's located at the end of a narrow corridor on the first floor of Terminal 1.

Shinto Shrine in Terminal 1

There was nobody there because it was early morning, and not many people know about this place.

Shinto Shrine in Terminal 1

It's a very small shrine, but it's clean, well maintained, and has a peaceful atmosphere. Despite its size, you can tell it's cared for with attention to detail.

Shinto Shrine in Terminal 1

There were many osonaemono (お供え物), which are offerings made to deities or spirits as a gesture of respect, gratitude, or reverence.

Shinto Shrine in Terminal 1

Many people visit the shrine to pray for safe flights (飛行機が落ちない) and to avoid failing important exams (受験に落ちない). The word "落ちない" (ochinai) means "not to fall" or "not to fail," so there's a play on words here: wishing for planes not to fall and also for students not to fail their exams.

Observation Deck in Terminal 1

Observation Deck in Terminal 1

After visiting the Haneda Airport Shrine, we headed to the observation deck in Terminal 1. From there, you can watch numerous JAL (Japan Airlines) domestic flights, as well as SKY (Skymark Airlines) and SFL (Starflyer) domestic flights.

The View from Observation Deck in Terminal 1

Haneda Airport Terminal 1 Observation Deck

Hours: 6:30 a.m. through 10 p.m.

There are two Starbucks locations in Terminal 1. We chose one and enjoyed our coffee while watching the airplanes take off from the airport. It was a relaxing way to spend some time, sipping our drinks and taking in the bustling activity of the runway. The combination of a warm beverage and the excitement of air travel made for a memorable experience.

The View from Observation Deck in Terminal 1

Must Try Japanese Delicious Souvenir!

NewYork Perfect Cheese in Terminal 1

I heard that New York Perfect Cheese is very popular in Tokyo, and there's usually a long line to buy their cookies. When we were on the second floor of Haneda Airport Terminal 1 around 8 a.m., there were only about five people in line. So, we decided to take the chance and try these famous cookies! We were glad to get them without a long wait. When we returned to Terminal 1 three hours later, there were so many people waiting in line!

NewYork Perfect Cheese

It cost 850 yen for five cookies, which we thought was a reasonable price considering their popularity.

NewYork Perfect Cheese

We couldn't wait to try them, so we enjoyed one in our hotel room. We were amazed at how delicious it was! No wonder they're so popular in Japan. The whipped cream cheese and white chocolate were wrapped in a thin, crispy cookie. If you ever come across them in Tokyo, you should definitely give them a try!

Haneda Sanchokukan (羽田産直館)

Matcha Frozen Float at Haneda Sanchokukan in Terminal 1

As I mentioned in my previous entry, What I Ate at Haneda Airport Terminal 1 - Matcha Ice Cream Float at Haneda Sanchokukan, we visited Haneda Sanchokukan (羽田産直館), which is located on the second floor in Terminal 1, and enjoyed Matcha Frozen Float.

Haneda Airport Terminal 2

Haneda Airport Terminal 2 primarily serves domestic flights, especially for All Nippon Airways (ANA) and its partner airlines.

Observation Deck in Terminal 2

Observation Deck in Terminal 2

We arrived at the observation deck in Terminal 2 at 6:30 a.m. This spot is especially popular for its Starry Sky Stage, a beautiful nighttime illumination. With 4,000 LED lights embedded in the deck, it's a stunning sight after sunset. If you want to experience the full magic of the lights, be sure to visit after dark.

Observation Deck in Terminal 2

Haneda Airport Terminal 2 Observation Deck

Hours: 6:30 a.m. through 10 p.m.

Observation Deck in Terminal 2

As soon as the observation deck opened at 6:30 a.m., we went in. Despite the early hour, we were able to see many airplanes taking off from the airport. The deck offers a great view of domestic flights from ANA (All Nippon Airways), Air Do, and Solaseed Air.

The View from Observation Deck in Terminal 2

There were so many ANA airplanes!

The View from Observation Deck in Terminal 2

It was fascinating to watch the planes ascending into the morning sky, creating a buzz of activity even at that early hour. The experience was peaceful yet exhilarating.

The View from Observation Deck in Terminal 2

Haneda Airport Terminal 3

Haneda Airport Terminal 3 is primarily for international flights.

Haneda Nihonbashi

Haneda Nihonbashi Bridge in Terminal 3

On the 5th floor of Haneda Airport Terminal 3, you'll find the Haneda Nihonbashi Bridge. This stunning bridge is a modern architectural marvel and a great spot for photos. It's inspired by the original Nihonbashi Bridge in Tokyo, adding a touch of history and culture to the bustling airport.

Haneda Nihonbashi Bridge in Terminal 3

The walls are adorned with folding screens inspired by the Edo period, which spanned from 1603 to 1868 in Japan's history.

Haneda Nihonbashi Bridge in Terminal 3

It's fascinating to think about what life was like for people in Edo, Tokyo, hundreds of years ago.

Haneda Nihonbashi Bridge in Terminal 3

Kifuda/Ema Vending Machine

Kifuda Vending Machine in Terminal 3

After walking across the Edo Nihonbashi Bridge, you'll come across a kifuda vending machine. The kifuda (木札) or ema (絵馬) are wooden plaques found at Shinto shrines where people write their wishes or prayers and hang them for the gods to receive. Many people wrote their wishes on these plaques and hung them there.

Ema Hung in Terminal 3

Daiema in Teminal 3

This Daiema (大絵馬), a huge ema, was placed in Terminal 3 in 2020. It's an impressive sight and has become a notable feature for travelers passing through the terminal.

Observation Deck in Terminal 3

The View from Observation Deck in Terminal 3

We took a delightful stroll to the observation deck in Terminal 3. From there, we were treated to a spectacular view of international flights. The bustling activity of planes taking off and landing from various countries was truly captivating.

Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Observation Deck

24 Hours

Saryo Itoen, Matcha Green Tea Cafe

Matcha & Hojicha Soft Serve Anmitsu at Saryo Itoen in Terminal 3

As I mentioned in my previous entry, What I Ate at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 - Saryo Itoen, Matcha Green Tea Cafe, we visited Saryo Itoen (茶寮伊藤園) located on the 4th floor in Terminal 3 and enjoyed matcha sweets there.

Haneda Airport offers a unique blend of modern amenities and cultural charm. From domestic flights in Terminals 1 and 2 to the international experience in Terminal 3, there's something for every traveler. Whether you're admiring the view from the observation deck or exploring the cultural features, Haneda Airport makes for an engaging and memorable journey.

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Thursday, November 21, 2024

What I Ate at Haneda Airport Terminal 1 - Matcha Ice Cream Float at Haneda Sanchokukan

Haneda Sanchokukan (羽田産直館)

Last month, we had a trip to Japan and, as I mentioned before, we stayed at the Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport, which is perfectly situated at Tokyo's airport. We woke up early and had breakfast at Yoshinoya in Haneda Airport Terminal 3 around 4:30 a.m. After that, we set out to explore all the terminals of Haneda Airport. In Terminal 1, I was especially eager to visit Haneda Sanchokukan (羽田産直館).

Haneda Sanchokukan (羽田産直館)

Haneda Sanchokukan (羽田産直館) is a facility located in Haneda Airport that sells a variety of local specialties and regional products from across Japan. It offers fresh, high-quality agricultural products, seafood, meat, sweets, and more.

1COIN Sake BAR in Haneda Sanchokukan (羽田産直館)

At the 1COIN Sake BAR, you can always find 18 varieties of Japanese sake and domestic wine, with options like a 30ml glass, a 3-glass set for 600 yen, or a 6-glass set for 1,100 yen. In the local sake sales corner, they also offer a wide selection of brands from all over Japan. It's a great place to experience the diverse flavors of Japanese sake and wine, whether you're a connoisseur or just curious.

Haneda Sanchokukan (羽田産直館)

In the eat-in corner inside Haneda Sanchokukan, you'll find a delightful selection of ramen, rice balls, rice bowls, and snacks, all perfectly paired with sake and made from the finest ingredients sourced from across Japan. It's the ideal spot to savor authentic Japanese flavors while enjoying a relaxing meal.

Haneda Sanchokukan (羽田産直館)

In the open kitchen inside Haneda Sanchokukan, you'll find drinks and soft serve ice cream made with ingredients sourced from all over Japan. It's the perfect place to indulge in a delightful treat made with high-quality ingredients. Whether you're in the mood for a quick drink or a delicious dessert, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Matcha Frozen Float (抹茶フローズンフロート)

They offer a frozen drink called Matcha Frozen Float (抹茶フローズンフロート) for 780 yen. Since we love matcha green tea sweets, we couldn't resist giving it a try.

You can purchase it through a kiosk, with options for both English and Japanese language preferences.

Matcha Frozen Float (抹茶フローズンフロート)

This was the Matcha Frozen Float, made with Nishio matcha from Aichi Prefecture. The cold drink was paired with Hokkaido milk soft serve, topped with kuromitsu syrup and kinako for extra flavor. Inside, there was azuki bean jelly, adding a gentle texture and unique taste. It was truly a delightful and refreshing treat that hit all the right notes.

If you find yourself at Haneda Airport Terminal 1, don't miss the chance to check out Haneda Sanchokukan. It's a fantastic spot to explore local specialties and experience the unique flavors of Japan.

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Thursday, November 14, 2024

What I Ate at Haneda Airport Terminal 3 - Yoshinoya, Beef Bowl Restaurant

Yoshinoya Restaurant at Haneda Airport Terminal 3

As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I visited Japan last month and stayed at the Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport, a convenient airport hotel in Tokyo, for one night. Since one of my favorite Japanese dishes is gyudon (牛丼), or beef bowl, I was really impressed by the morning combo menu I tried at Sukiya, a beef bowl restaurant, in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, back in 2022. So, this time, I also wanted to have the morning combo menu at Yoshinoya.

The Yoshinoya restaurant in Haneda Airport Terminal 3 operates 24/7. I googled that the morning menu is available from 4 am to 11 am, so we decided to visit around 4:30 am. As we walked through Terminal 3 from the hotel, we were surprised to see many people lying on benches and chairs. Despite visiting Haneda Airport many times, it was our first time staying there for nearly 24 hours, so we didn't know that some travelers sleep at the airport in the early morning hours. It looked a bit eerie, but since it’s Tokyo, they were probably in one of the safest airports around. Anyway, we arrived at Yoshinoya at about 4:30 am and asked if the morning menu was available, but the staff informed us it starts at 8:30 am. I didn't realize the morning hours at Yoshinoya in Haneda Airport differed from other branches.

Yoshinoya Mid-Night Menu

Even though they were still serving the midnight menu, I was thrilled to finally have my favorite Japanese beef bowl after two years.

Yoshinoya Mid-Night Menu

Regular Beef Bowl with Raw Egg

As usual, I ordered a regular beef bowl (牛丼並) for 553 yen, along with a raw egg (生玉子) for 107 yen.

Japan is one of the countries where you can safely eat raw eggs.

Regular Beef Bowl with Raw Egg

I mixed the beaten egg and soy sauce well and poured it over the beef bowl. Then, I topped it with kizami shoga (刻み生姜), or pickled red ginger. This is how I enjoy my Japanese beef bowl. As expected, it was delicious! Eating raw egg always makes me feel like I’ve come back to Japan.

Regular Beef Bow, Soft Boiled Egg and Pork and Vegetable Miso Soup

My husband ordered a regular beef bowl (牛丼並) for 553 yen, a soft boiled egg (半熟玉子) for 107 yen, and pork and vegetable miso soup, which is called tonjiru (豚汁), for 217 yen. When he gets a beef bowl, he almost always adds the pork and vegetable miso soup. It’s become his go-to combo for a hearty and satisfying meal.

Our early morning Yoshinoya beef bowls were a delightful start to the day. It's remarkable that Yoshinoya stays open 24/7, providing meals that are both delicious and budget-friendly. The hot meal we had at that hour was both comforting and satisfying. It’s always a delight to taste such consistency and quality.

On the last day of our two-week trip to Japan, we visited this Yoshinoya restaurant once more for our final meal before flying back to Los Angeles. It felt like a fitting end to our journey, savoring one last taste of Japan before heading home.

Black Beef Curry

My husband ordered the black beef curry (牛黒カレー) for 674 yen. The curry was incredibly rich and delicious, with layers of deep, savory flavors. It was the perfect comfort food for his final meal in Japan.

Regular Beef Bowl and Raw Egg

I didn’t think twice before ordering a regular beef bowl (牛丼並) for 453 yen and a raw egg (生玉子) for 107 yen. The dish was cheaper because Yoshinoya had a 100 yen discount on all beef bowls for a week. The combination was as delicious as ever, and the raw egg brought an extra layer of richness. This meal was the perfect way to conclude our culinary adventure in Japan. 😋

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