Plane spotting at Haneda Airport Terminal 2
Plane spotting at Haneda Airport Terminal 2 is good. I shot my first article for this blog in March 2023. It was a good experience. Well, I should say it was mostly a good experience. When I was at home that morning, the sky looked pretty nice. That is where the good news ends.
Where did I photograph the planes?
I photographed from the observation deck of Haneda Airport Terminal 2. In the middle is a covered area but the sides are open. Terminal 3 only has a fence.
Why is Haneda Airport Terminal 2 good for plane photography?
I like it because the background has Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Gate Bridge, and ships. The scene is picturesque.
How was the March 12, 2023 photography?
The fence is a problem. You aren’t allowed to put your camera through the gap, or widen it. But it is wide enough for your lens to shoot through.
It was a busy day. There were many people and flights. The planes kept coming in. I guess there was one landing every three minutes? It was an incredible pace. Maybe it’s a sign that Japan’s tourism industry is recovering.
Aircraft of note
There were two aircraft that were new to me:
- Airdo Boeing 767-381-ER in Pokemon livery. One side was yellow and the other blue.
- Japan Coast Guard JA725A De Havilland Canada DHC-8-300.
Haneda Airport Terminal 2 access
There are two ways:
- Take the Tokyo Monorail from Hamamatsucho.
- Take the Keikyū Airport Line from Shinagawa.
I’d recommend the Keikyū, as it is cheaper. But check the schedule before you get on. This line does branch, so you could end up in Kanagawa Prefecture if you are not careful. Make sure you are on the right train!
Where is the Terminal 2 train station?
It’s in the basement, B1.
Where is the observation deck?
Level 5. There is no direct route to it from the basement via elevators. You also need to take escalators.
Conclusion
Let’s put the weather aside. That couldn’t be helped. As an experience, I had a good time at Terminal 2. The photographs were dull but I used Adobe Lightroom to brighten them. Anyway, I will go again on a sunny day to get better shots! Leave comments and questions below.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
More plane-spotting articles:
External related websites:
- Plane Spotting at Tokyo International Airport – Haneda (on Wingborn)