Tokyo/Haneda

1Gate area Terminal 1

As a passenger waiting for a flight it is good to know that spotting and photographing facilities are good inside Terminal 1. The windows are large and bright. A boarding pass is required to get here.

2Observation area, Terminal 1

Both main terminals have large, free observation decks. In the morning, until about 11.00 hours local time, the viewing deck on Terminal 1 (on the south side) is the best place to stay as then the sun is behind you. It is located on the 6th floor of the terminal. Although the viewing area has fences all around, the airport authorities have made holes for cameras in them, allowing photography even with large lenses. Aircraft on the taxiway parallel to runway 16R/34L can be taken with about 200-300 mm as well as the heavy boys on the runway itself. For smaller aircraft, say Boeing 767 and below, 400-500 mm is better suited for take-off and landing shots. Of course aircraft parked on the stands and/or being pushed back require less millimetres. As you will mostly encounter JAL aircraft here, you will likely move to another spot if you want to take pictures of other airlines. If you are more of a spotter than an photographer it is good to know that this observation area also has an elevated part that allows all runways to be monitored. Then you will hardly miss anything. The viewing area is open from 8.00 - 20.00 hours.

3Parking garage P1

If you just want to do some quick spotting, this location may be something for you. The view is on the taxiway between the two parallel runways and on some aprons close to it. Photography is possible, but rather in the distance and facing south, so into the sun most if the time. As there are much better spots at Haneda, you will probably not stay here very long.

4Observation Area, Terminal 2

This viewing area is quite similar to the one on top of Terminal 1. It's also free, there are fences with large holes for cameras and the same amount of millimetres is needed. The main difference is that light gets good here from about 11.00 hours in the morning and stays good until sunset. Terminal 2 handles mainly ANA traffic, but aircraft from other airlines can be seen as well. Especially when 16L/34R is main take-off runway, they will taxi past the observation area. Unlike the observation area at Terminal 1, the view on the Terminal 1 area is limited, so you will likely miss more than when spotting from Terminal 1. The viewing area is open from 6.30 - 22.00 hours.

5Gate area Terminal 2

Unfortunately when you are flying ANA you can leave your camera in your bag, as many double glass walls mean that taking quality pictures is not possible. Only from the Airport Lounge, at the fourth floor of the north satellite, some photography is possible. However, it is not free (¥1000), unless you have an expensive ("gold") credit card.

6International Terminal

The new International Terminal already serves two aprons and features an observation deck facing runway 16R/34L and Domestic Terminal 1. This terminal too can be reached by car, bus (including the free airport shuttle), train and monorail. Light conditions for photographers are as for Terminal 2 and again, holes in the fence are provided for camera use. Operators at this terminal include China Airlines, China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, EVA, Asiana, Korean, Air China, Thai, Garuda, & Philippine Airlines.

7Tokyo Monorail

If you travel by train and monorail to Haneda (which is a good idea considering the constant traffic jams in Tokyo), be ready when you pass the hangars just north of Seibijo Station. From the east-side of the monorail you have a short view on the apron of the Japan Coast Guard. This is the left-hand side of the train when travelling to Haneda, just after emerging from the tunnel in the upper left corner of the map. When you are prepared, you can even take some pictures from the riding train.