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Have you recently booked a trip with a somewhat lengthy layover in Tokyo and are wondering what to do with your time? Lucky for you, there are so many things to do in Tokyo even with a short layover! This article is going to show you what you can do with your layover in Japan and even introduce an amazing layover tour in Tokyo. Keep reading to learn more!
Tokyo Travel Assist offers a Haneda / Narita Layover tour.
Table of Contents
As of 2023, there are 70 countries have the right to enter Japan without a visa for short stays.
Passport holders from the United States, Canada, Singapore, United Kingdom, and Australia are allowed to leave the airport during a layover in Japan. Holders of passports from these countries are exempt from obtaining a visa for short-term stays.
Passport holders from India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia are exempt from obtaining a Visa based on specific conditions.
Passport holders from the Philippines, Vietnam, India, China are required to obtain a visa.
For travelers from other countries, please refer to the guidance by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
It depends on the status of your Visa in your country whether you can exit the security inspection area of Haneda Airport during a layover. It is important that all visitors to Japan should be aware of the applicable visa regulations.
You would want to go through immigration and customs as smoothly as possible. Therefore, you should prepare by applying for the necessary visa for your visit to Japan.
If you have at least 4 hours, we recommend that you go to more popular districts to enjoy your layover time. We also recommend that you use tour services to make your sightseeing hassle-free in an unfamiliar country with limited time. Take a look at our haneda layover tour.
Starting below, facilities will be introduced for individuals who intend to spend time within or around Haneda Airport.
Haneda Innovation City is located just one station away from Haneda Airport Terminal 3, connected to Tenkubashi Station on the Keikyu Line and Tokyo Monorail. It partially opened in 2020 and is set for its grand opening on November 16, 2023.
One of the attractions of this facility is a foot bath spot where visitors can relax while watching airplanes take off and land. Moreover, within the AI_SCAPE area, there is a robot restaurant where robots handle everything from cooking to serving.
The Anaishi Inari Shrine is renowned for its thousands of torii gates. During the Edo period, the area where Haneda Airport now stands was a tidal flat, which was later reclaimed and developed.
However, due to the constant threat of flooding in this area, a shrine was built for protection.
This shrine was named “Anaishi Inari Daimyojin,” symbolizing the deity that protects the fields from the damages caused by tidal waves.
The shrine flourished, and the donation of red torii gates became a trend. In 1911, an astonishing 46,797 torii gates were dedicated. After the war, the shrine was relocated to its current location. The number of torii gates reduced to around 1,000, but the shrine continues to attract numerous visitors and boasts many torii gates.
Today, it’s also known as a shrine for aviation and travel safety. It’s conveniently located just 6 minutes by car and 12 minutes by train from Haneda Airport.
Tsukiji Fish Market is the most famous market in Japan. Here you can try super fresh fish at great prices. Although the inner market has recently closed, the outer market of Tsukiji is still thriving. A trip to Tsukiji is perfect for a morning layover because many shops close by 2 pm.
Meiji Jingu is Japan’s most popular Shinto Shrine. The Shrine is named after the Meiji Emperor. Now it is a popular spot for prayer, especially during the New Year’s Holidays. You will enjoy the shrine with a tranquil atmosphere because there are fewer tourists in the morning at Meiji Jingu. If you are lucky, you can catch a glimpse of a traditional Japanese wedding!
Shibuya crossing is the highlight of the Shibuya station area. The iconic scramble pedestrian crosswalk is a must-visit for any tourist in Tokyo. Enjoy crossing the road with as many as 1000 other people amongst the towering skyscrapers.
If you are interested in the Kawaii cute fashion of Japan, then Harajuku is a must-visit for you. Harajuku is undoubtedly the fashion capital of Tokyo. A stroll at the famous Takeshita-dori will give you the chance to see the real trendsetters of Tokyo. Numerous shops that line the streets of Harajuku are filled with wacky and unique clothing items.
Tokyo Tower is an iconic orange-coloured structure with two observatory decks for tourists. Located in central Tokyo, Tokyo Tower is a great viewing spot for any visitor to Tokyo. It is also one of the tallest observation decks in Tokyo. Mount Fuji can even be seen from the top observation deck on clear days.
The Imperial Palace in the middle of Tokyo is home to the Emperor of Japan and his family. Japan’s Imperial Family is one of the longest-reigning empires in the world. Here you can enjoy the beautiful greenery of the Imperial property which used to be the site of Edo Castle, home to the Tokugawa Shogunate. There are beautiful gardens open year-round to the public on Palace grounds.
Ginza is the chicest part of Tokyo filled with upscale shopping, food, and entertainment. Ginza used to be the site of a silver mint and transformed into its current upscale form during the post-World War Two era. Now, one square foot of land in Ginza is worth over 10 million yen, making it one of the most expensive areas for real estate in Japan!
Asakusa is home to Tokyo’s oldest temple, called Sensoji. In Asakusa you can visit the stands selling traditional Japanese snacks and souvenirs that lead up to the main temple. The architecture at Asakusa is amazing and provides an interesting contrast to the urban sprawl of Tokyo.
If you know anything about Japanese otaku culture than you must have heard of Akihabara, Japan’s paradise for anime-lovers. Parts of the town are dedicated to electronic goods while other areas are surrounded in everything anime. Maybe a visit to one of Akihabara’s famous maid cafes would become the highlight of your trip!
Odaiba is a famed entertainment and shopping area located on a man-made island in Tokyo Bay. The island was originally built during the Edo period to protect Japan from foreign invaders. Now in Odaiba you can see the famous Gundam towering over you while looking at mainland Tokyo from the sea. The train ride to Odaiba is quite scenic too.
Now that you know you want to explore Japan’s top spots, there is a question of what to do with all of your luggage! Luckily, there are a variety of baggage storage services at Haneda Airport.
A piece of small-sized luggage is 300 yen to store, while a medium-sized one is 600 yen and a large-sized one 900 yen to store. Check out the website of Haneda Airport to learn more.
Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu is a hotel directly connected to Terminal 2. The hotel features rooms designed to resemble a cockpit, and from rooms on the runway side, you can watch airplanes take off and land. It’s a hotel perfect for aviation fans and families. Additionally, breakfast is offered in the hotel’s restaurant.
The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda is located on the 3rd floor departure lobby of the International Terminal. Being directly connected to the International Terminal makes it extremely convenient for stays related to early morning or late-night flights.
Villa Fontaine Haneda Airport is a hotel located in Haneda Airport Garden, adjacent to Terminal 3. The complex features two types of affiliated hotels: the high-end “Premier” and the “Grand,” which focuses on convenience and functionality. They have just opened in December 2022.
Depending on the room, guests can enjoy views of airplanes taking off and landing, or the nearby river estuary. Additionally, guests can take advantage of discounted rates at the on-site spa facility, Izumi Tenku no Yu.
If you have one of the harder layovers starting in Haneda and departing from Narita and vice versa, then you are in luck. Tokyo Travel Assistant provides layover tours specifically for those with somewhat confusing and anxiety-inducing layovers that may make travelers skip out on exploring Tokyo.
Tokyo Travel Assistant is an amazing service with knowledgable locals providing tours and assistance to tourists coming to Tokyo. Their service can cater to layovers that start in both Haneda and Narita Airport. Also, the tours are private and completely individualized, so you are guaranteed to get the best customer experience. If you want a hassle-free yet fulfilling layover experience in Tokyo, take a look at the haneda layover tour.
After reading this article, you definitely have the tools to create your own memorable layover experience in Japan. Remember that local tour guides can help make your experience smooth and enjoyable! Let us know how long your layover in Tokyo is and how you plan to spend it below.
Positive layover ! Completely personalizable layover tour according to your schedule and travel needs!
