Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND): A Traveler's Guide
Tokyo Haneda (HND) is the more convenient of Tokyo's two airports for almost any itinerary - it sits right on Tokyo Bay, roughly 30 minutes from central Tokyo, compared to Narita's 60-90 minutes further out.
Terminal layout
Haneda has three terminals: Terminal 1 (JAL and affiliated carriers), Terminal 2 (ANA and partners), and Terminal 3, the dedicated international terminal used by nearly all foreign carriers and some JAL/ANA international routes. The terminals are linked by free shuttle buses and by the Tokyo Monorail and Keikyu Line, both of which stop at each terminal, so moving between them without leaving airside isn't always possible - check whether your connection requires a terminal change and budget time accordingly, especially if it means re-clearing security.
Immigration, customs and security
Arriving international passengers join the foreign-national line at immigration, where fingerprints and a photo are taken as standard; the arrival card should be filled in before you reach the counter to save time. After baggage claim, customs is a simple green (nothing to declare) or red (something to declare) channel for most tourists. The whole process is generally efficient by international standards, but can still take 30-45 minutes during a busy arrivals bank.
Getting into the city
Two rail options run straight from Terminal 3's basement into the city. The Tokyo Monorail reaches Hamamatsucho in as little as 13 minutes (¥490), from where you transfer to the JR Yamanote Line for Tokyo Station and beyond. The Keikyu Line runs directly to Shinagawa in about 15 minutes and continues on to central Tokyo without a change. Either way, budget around 30-40 minutes and a few hundred yen to reach most central districts. Airport limousine buses run to major hotels and Shinjuku/Shibuya in 45-75 minutes for around ¥1,200-1,300, and taxis take 30-45 minutes but cost roughly ¥6,000-9,000, so they're really only worth it late at night or with heavy luggage.
Practical tips
Pick up a Suica or Pasmo IC card at the ticket machines in the arrivals area before heading to the train platforms - it works for trains, buses, and most convenience stores, and saves fumbling with ticket machines at every station. And because Haneda's domestic and international terminals are physically separate buildings, always double-check which terminal your onward domestic flight departs from if you're connecting - it's easy to assume they're all together.