November 2018
The actual flying time from Itami to Haneda is less than an hour. The landing approach was via Tokyo Bay onto runway 34L. Along the landing path, we were able to see the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line Expressway which has a length of it running under the Tokyo Bay. By chance, our plane flew within sight of the Aqua-Line ventilation tower for ventilating the Expressway. The ventilating tower is sort of on a man made island in the middle of Tokyo Bay and looks like the sail of a ship.
Our flight by ANA B777-200
The Aqua-Line Expressway ventilation tower for ventilating the expressway’s underwater section. Parallel landing with another aircraft on the right.
Runway ‘D’ built on reclaimed land south of the main airfield.
Past runway ‘D’ approaching the main airfield for landing on runway 34L. The other aircraft will land on runway 34R in the background.
Safely landed at Haneda airport.
Haneda airport is way larger than Itami as it’s the forth busiest airport in the world (2017) even beating it’s sister airport Narita (49th). After claiming our checked baggage, we took the monorail at the airport to Hamamatsucho station for a change to the Yamanote Line for our hotel in Akihabara. The ride on the monorail was 24 minutes while on the Yamanote Line was 11 minutes. The change of train line at Hamamatsucho station entails a couple of minutes walk and the use of escalator to get down to the platform. Ticket payments for the monorail and the train was made using the Icoca card we’ve purchased at Kansai airport. Yes, the Icoca can be used in Tokyo as well, in-fact for most of Japan.
Spacious Haneda airport.
Ultraman flying in to greet us.
Baggage carousel.
Inside the monorail.
Views along Tokyo Bay.
Another view from the monorail.
End of the road (or rail) for the monorail at Hamamatsucho station for a change to the Yamanote Line.
Platform for the Yamanote Line at Hamamatsucho station.
Arrived at Washington Hotel next to Akihabara train station. Less than a minute walk from the JR Central exit.
