Photos by Takahiro Takiguchi ()
Haneda Airport is only a 30-minute train ride from Hardy Barracks and easily accessible from other military bases in the Kanto. Traveling through this airport is a quick and easy way to get you to any of the domestic destinations you’ve been wanting to see while stationed in Japan.
Within about a two-hour flight from Haneda, you can find yourself freezing in Hokkaido, sailing off the coast of Kyushu or even sun-bathing in Okinawa.
A recent flight to Kyushu-area airports actually took about 105 minutes to Oita (803 kilometer) and 110 minutes to Miyazaki (1,023 kilometer). Even getting to Osaka is about an hour flight from Haneda.
Entering vacation mode via plane is definitely worthwhile when you compare it to a 5-plus-hour drive or 3-hour Shinkansen bullet train ride.
To get to Haneda, it’s a straight shot on the Keikyu Express Train departing from Shinagawa Station in Tokyo, Yokohama Station in Kanagawa (if you’re departing from Camp Zama or NAF Atsugi) or Yokosuka Chuo Station (if you’re departing from Yokosuka Naval Base). The direct express train will take you to Haneda in 15 minutes from Shinagawa Station, 25 minutes from Yokohama Station and 50 minutes from Yokosuka Chuo station.
The train stops at both the international terminal and the domestic terminals, so check ahead to know which is your stop!
Next time you’re planning your trip, check to see if Haneda Airport offers flights to your domestic destination. It will save you some time and maybe even some money!
