Tokyo (HND & NRT) Stopover Tips

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This thread is a place to share tips and recommendations for stopovers at Haneda Airport (HND) and Narita Airport (NRT) in Tokyo, Japan. You can discuss things like:
  • How to get from the airport to the city
  • How to transfer between Narita and Haneda airports
  • Things to do in Tokyo
  • Where to stay/hotel recommendations (both near the airport and in the city)
  • Your favourite HND & NRT airport lounges
  • Airport facilities such as luggage storage and showers
  • Any other destination-specific tips or "hidden gems" you've discovered that could be useful for someone stopping over

Do you have a great tip that other travellers might find useful when stopping over in Tokyo? Add your suggestions to this thread, and your advice could make it into an AFF Stopover Guide article!
 
If transitting HND overnight then A good idea is to stay at the Royal Park hotel in the International terminal.Dinner just wander over to the terminal which has a very good range of restaurants.
The JAL Flounge at HND is very good.
 
If transitting HND overnight then A good idea is to stay at the Royal Park hotel in the International terminal.

Agree with this, however when I stayed there last year, they would not let me check in until 2pm, or whenever the official check-in time was. Would not look for an available room, just very politely told me that check-in time was 2pm (or whenever).

Things to do in Tokyo:

* Walk around the Imperial Palace gardens, very close to Tokyo Station, then walk up to the Diet building

* Wander around Tokyo Station during rush hour(s), wondering how the hell you get out, or over to the other side (there is a tunnel through the middle - you just have to find it)

* Shop in Ginza, also very close to Tokyo Station; wander the food halls at basement level of the major department stores

* Have a drink or two in any of the 'tiny bars' Tokyo's best tiny bars

* Ride the subways and trains and marvel at their precision and efficiency
 
We will fly in from Sydney next month arriving very early. It seems that the bus doesn’t start until 8am and the train isn’t as straight forward as from other Japanese airports. Anyone had experience with transport very early? I presume there’s a plane load of Australians....ok, not only Australians.....who will also need transport and that’s daily. Thanks.
 
 
Thank you very much.....I always get the help I need on this site, even late at night!
 
There is also the regular train (Keikyu line) which starts about 520am or so..... it’s definitely up and running by the time you clear customs etc. That train takes 20 mins or so to Shinagawa which is a major major JR station from where you can go anywhere almost. I suppose it depends on where you are going. Personally I rarely use the monorail as the train is more convenient for me.
 
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Yeah always used the monorail or train depending on where I needed to get to. No troubles with the timing, can't recall waiting more than 5min or so.
 
Saying this as someone very familiar with Tokyo, but worth at least considering (1) a taxi since there'll apparently be at least two of you and (2) booking the hotel from the night before if you'd like to check in at say 7AM. After "18 hours on the go", probably worth it.
 
I find the best train info can be found at hyperdia.com. It has an android app (iPhone app seems to have been discontinued??) but if you open it in a browser on your phone it is optimised for a small screen. I have attached screen shots. I find this more accurate and reliable than using google maps....
 

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Definitely go rail.
The rail attendants can point non Japanese speaking passengers in the right direction. Announcements and signs also in English.

Can definitely recommend HYPERDIA.
What are you doing with your luggage?.

For a reasonable fee you can get your luggage delivered to your first destination. Look up. Yamato delivery service.

Partly in preparation for Tokyo Olympics 2020
 
The train or monorail are both super easy at that time of day, especially if you use your Suica card so you dont have to fuss around with tickets.

Which district in Tokyo are you headed for?
 
A friend runs a ski lodge near Nagano.
He says he can be in the Lodge around 0930 after arriving on the qantas Haneda flight. The trains are exactly to timetable, frequent.

Tokyo station is massive with many entrances and exits. Sometimes an exit can be via another platform. Just ask. But don’t be surprised if a uniformed attendant comes up to you if you look lost

Yamato can do same day delivery of luggage to most places in Tokyo

 
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