Tokyo Area Haneda
Kamata (蒲田の見どころ)
A hop and a skip away from Haneda Airport lies Kamata, located in the centre of the Ota Ward. It’s known as the centre of technical prowess, with rows of precision machine factories lining the town. Chances are that your smartphone, and even the GPS satellites helping you navigate, are using components made in Kamata. Yet Kamata also has an old-fashioned side. If you take a leisurely stroll down the quaint shopping street near the station, you’ll discover a whole new side of Tokyo you never knew existed.
Kamata Hachiman Shrine (蒲田八幡神社)
This beautiful shrine was constructed in 1600 and is only a two-minute walk from Kamata Station. Cherry blossoms are a sight to behold in spring, so be sure to drop by if you haven’t had your fill. And if you’re a dog lover, you’ll definitely want to visit: the shrine employs toy poodles as shrine maidens!
Nomiyamachi (bar district) (飲み屋街)
The streets connecting JR Kamata Station and Tokyu Kamata Station are bursting with more than 100 small pubs where many professionals like to throw back a pint on their way home. If you need a momentary reprieve from the craziness of the city, why not stop in and make some new friends over a few drinks?
Manpei (万平)
If you’ve got a hankering for some grilled chicken skewers, look no further than Manpei, a fixture on the Kamata scene. With a lively atmosphere and very reasonably priced menu items, this is the place to go for a cheap night out on the town. Be sure to sample the super-juicy fried chicken.
Arinco Haneda rolls (Arinco羽田ロール)
Arinco, purveyors of the top-quality roll cakes in select regions, offers exclusive Haneda-themed roll cakes available only at the airport. Soft as clouds and devilishly delicious, the divine combination of thick sour cream and orange peel will leave you begging for more. These delicacies can be found at the Blue Sky shop in Terminal 1.
Gateaux de Voyage Angel Cheesecake (ガトー・ド・ボワイヤージュ 天使のチーズケーキ)
A famous Yokohama confectioner creates these exclusive, mouth-watering cheesecakes. The tartness of the lemon complements the cream cheese perfectly, with the delicately sweet flavour of the vanilla beans completing the experience. Available at the Tokusen Yogashikan (Select Sweets Shop) in Terminal 1.
First Cabin Haneda Terminal 1 (First Cabin羽田ターミナル1)
Convenient and affordable, First Cabin is located right inside Terminal 1. It has all the important amenities, and there’s a shared bathing area as well. Keep in mind that the beds are separated by curtains and there are no private rooms with locks. Still, the popularity of this place is a testament to its safety. It’s best to make a reservation in advance.
Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu (羽田エクセルホテル東急)
This conveniently located hotel is directly accessible from Terminal 2. The building faces the runway, so you can enjoy watching the planes take off and land. Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms, and there are automatic check-in terminals as well. Can’t get much more convenient than that!
Sashimiya Gotsubo (さしみや五坪)
One of the most well-known pubs in Kamata, this place has a wide variety of fish-based dishes and affordable drinks, which means it’s always crowded. Not to mention the ramen, which is surprisingly good for a bar.
Most people don’t really view airports as tourist spots, but Haneda Airport will totally change your mind about what an airport can be. So try exploring a bit the next time you’re there; you never know what you might uncover.
