long layover @KIX
 

I arrive KIX on TG 672 @ 13:45 and depart for GMP on OZ1155 @ 20:25. I'm on a single ticket, and expect to check bag through from BKK to GMP.

I've got Priority Pass, and am on a J ticket, but the lounge options at KIX don't look super-exciting.
Any advice on how far afield to go for this long layover? It'll be in February, so wandering outside may not be as appealing.

You could go to Nanba, lively shopping/dining/entertainment area in Osaka, for a few hours. Nankai train from the airport takes about 45 minutes. Security at KIX is generally quick, so you wouldn't need to get back to KIX until about 90 minutes before departure. Weather during daylight hours will be brisk, but above freezing. Certainly tolerable for walking around.

Thanks. Are there any interesting features/spaces at KIX that might be worth checking out? I'll have access to most of the lounges through ticket/Priority Pass/*G.

4 Hour layover at HND - plan on leaving the airport
 

4 Hour layover at HND - plan on leaving the airport

I'm so glad this thread exists. I have a 4 hour layover at HND. It will be from 7:00am to 11:00am on a Saturday morning. I know it is somewhat tight, but I am planning on leaving the airport. Traveling with 2 kids aged 12 and 9 on this trip.

So far, I plan to get on the monorail and go somewhere interesting.

I wish I had more time, but 4 hours is what I have to work with, and I'm determined to have some kind of a "Japanese Experience" / Photo Op in this 4 hours. Has anyone here done this recently and have any strong recommendation or success story that they could share?

what are your incoming and onward flights? That will impact time a bit.

• Take Keikyu Line from Haneda Airport and head to Ginza.

• Take Monorail to Hamamatsucho: Tokyo Tower

• Take Keikyu Line to Kawasaki, transfer to Keikyu Daishi Line. Visit Kawasaki Daishi. Stereo typical Japanese temple? One of biggest, famous, and popular in area.

Yes 4 hrs. can be tight, can easily take 30 minutes each way to get to specific places in Tokyo, considering waiting for train/monorail, waking from a train station, etc.

By Hamamatsucho you also have Shiba Rikyu. An old Japanese garden that is an excellent example of traditional Japanese gardens. Worth a visit in any season. Go to the main street North of Hamamatsucho station turn right walk for less than 200 meters it is on your right. 150 yen per person to enter.

I'm in and out on JL SGN-HND-JFK

Sorry that I missed your transit schedule, arriving at 6 a.m. and departing at 11 a.m. You will be at Tokyo early in the morning.

• Many stores at Ginza do not open till 10 a.m.
  
  
• Tokyo tower opens at 9 a.m. Considering trip back to Haneda Airport, will possibly give you less than an hour at Tokyo Tower. Going through security, departure passport control, then want to be at the gate least by 20 min. before the departure. Question is what to do till 9 a.m.?
  
  
• Hamarikyu park opens at 9 a.m. Same situation as Tokyo Tower.
  
  
• Kawasaki Daishi temple opens at 6 a.m. You will have no problem with Kawasali Daishi.

Because of your early arrival, many places are not open yet at Tokyo. Due to your 11 a.m. departure that makes it tight schedule and not much time at a place you want to visit in Tokyo.

Yes, the early arrival would be a problem, but if you're traveling with children, they may simply enjoy riding the monorail and maybe having breakfast or a snack at a coffee shop in the Hamamatsucho area.

Pronto has a good selection of pastries (some of them admittedly odd by Western standards-- but also some totally non-controversial) and beverages in the morning before converting to a pasta restaurant later in the day. There are also the old familiar Starbucks and local chains such as Doutor (limited food options) and Tully's.

Both Pronto and Doutor are located next door to each other about two blocks from the station on the street that runs west from the southern exit of Hamamatsucho Station. (In case you haven't heard, most Tokyo streets have no names.)

The monorail route runs partly along Tokyo Bay, past a horse racing track, and into the city proper, so it's an interesting view for a first-time visitor.

Well how about a "morning set" at an authentic salaryman kissaten. This one opens at 7:00 and is on the 2nd floor of the World Trade Center building - connected to the Monorail station. Coffee, a thick slice of white toast, and some salad for 390 yen.
http://www.meijiparlor.co.jp/temps/break.html

That's an authentic Japanese experience of sorts.

After breakfast, you could walk to Zojo ji temple. Opens at 9:00 am. I wouldn't bother going up Tokyo Tower, but you'll see it there.

Or ... My splurge recommendation ... Get in a cab at Haneda and go straight to the Tokyo Oedo Onsen Monogatari - Hot springs on O-Daiba island. Last entry is at 7:00 am, so you need to get your skates on. But once there, you can soak in a tub for a couple of hours. Depending on your level of confidence, you could try taking public transport back to Haneda Airport.

I would second this, and point out that since your children would be with you the price of the cab vs 3 monorail tickets would not be that outrageously more.

Also, if my geography is correct the cab ride would take you over Rainbow Bridge, with excellent views of Tokyo Bay (a bit nicer than the very industrial/warehousey views on the monorail).

Definitely what I would do. Much more interesting than temples. If you had time, the giant ferris wheel at Odaiba could be squeezed in although that actually may not open till ~10am or so.

I did not know they closed receptions at 7am (thought they were open 24hrs). If you're able to get on the cab before 6.30am, then I would go for it.

Otherwise just take a little monorail ride then back to HND, enjoy the landside shops and restaurants, and call it a day. The landside facilities are interesting and packs a punch in a compact area, so it'll likely be higher yield for you and your kids than a lot of places outside for that short of a time frame... moreover, places should be open at HND at those hours, unlike most places outside.

Yup.

http://daiba.ooedoonsen.jp/en/#access
Opens 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m (next day), 7 days a week　Last entry: 7 a.m.

Be aware that the facility closes early (11:00pm) once per month
Feb - No early closing
Maintenance on March 9th (THU) - so it won't be open early AM on March 10th (FRI)
Maintenance on April 13th (THU) - ditto - April 14th (FRI)
Maintenance on May 11th (THU)- ditto - May 12th (FRI)

This information appears to be available in Japanese only:

毎月1回施設メンテナンスのため、営業時間を11：00～23：00(最終入館21：00)とさせていただ きます。
メンテナンスは下記の通りとなっており、夜間休館いたします。

※平成29年：3月9日(木)、4月13日(木)、5月11日(木)
〈2月の夜間メンテナンスはございません。〉
平成29年：3月9日(木)、4月13日(木)、5月11日(木)

Too risky?
 

airport: Haneda
arriving airline: Air Canada
departing airline: JAL
Connection time: 2hrs and 30mins
Connection: Int-Dom terminal 1
traveling on separately-booked tickets :( :(

Can the domestic check-in (need to check bags) be done in the international terminal?

We just found out that it'll be cheaper by about CAD$50 per person to fly domestic than to take the shinkansen and also save us a few hours. But I'm not sure if 2.5hrs is good enough to clear customs/immigration, collect bags, transfer terminal, check bags etc... Is it too risky? We'll be travelling mid-April if it makes any difference.

Thanks in advance for your insight