Sorry if I was incorrect on NRT. I haven't had to transit there since right before COVID. Did see something when I was passing by at HND so I assumed it was the same at NRT. Japanese airside transit security has always been fairly pro-forma anyway for the most part and I've never had it take more than a couple of minutes anyway.

super helpful post, thank you.

I�ve got almost the same layover time so a few questions for you please.

where is this located? Which terminal?

when you say total cost for 4, was that 4 people and you got the entire experience for all for that price?

sounds like a great deal

Does anyone know how or if possible to inquire about a day rate at the Hotel Villa Fontaine Premier at the airport? I can�t find an email address. Has anyone been successful getting a day rate there?

The hotel's Japanese website indicates (not shown on the hotel's English website) the day rate is not currently available.

P.S. The hotel's Japanese web site has a section for a day rate but says "currently not available." It is possible that the hotel is planning to have a day rate sometime in future, but not currently.

thank you for that!

It is only when coming from the US, and only in Narita, that there is no transit security check. Otherwise like most other airports, airside security check, before proceeding to the next gate.

I am flying KIX-HND-SFO on JAL later this week. I have 2 hours between flights, and while I am sure it's plenty of time to make the connection (in the event of no delays), but I'm wondering about the customs check. I've made several tax-free purchases and they're too big to fit in any carry-on bag. Would these items be reviewed by Customs in KIX or HND? Thanks for any insight you can provide based on any previous experiences!

There is no customs check when leaving Japan, only immigration.

Technically there is. It is not like arrival formality where you have to pass through the customs desk, but there is a customs window/desk at departure passport control. However, many here at FT have posted that customs check at departure for tax-free purchases is not enforced. Looks like many people do tax-free purchases in town and simply bypass the customs desk at the departure passport control. The following link describes what is supposed to happen at the airport on the departure.

All You Need to Know about Tax-Free Shopping in Japan (2023)

There used to be paperwork that one would hand over at the customs desk, but nothing really happened if you forgot. If it is all e-filings now, I guess it is literally just showing the passport. It is probably still pretty much without consequences if you don't pass by the counter. The counters in Haneda and Narita are in the immigration hall, by the back wall facing the immigration booths. Takes about 10 seconds to complete.

I don't know anyone who has been asked to show the purchases. In that aspect the Germans are more thorough, I don't think I have ever claimed tax free in Germany without showing that I had the items.

Sorry for the late response!

Haneda Airport Garden has a direct connection to the HND terminal 3
Yes, total cost for the entire experience for 4 people all in was ~$281
Fontaine Hotel will let you have a day room but will charge a nightly rate - and the cheapest room we found was about $300 for room only!

UPDATE: Thanks for your insight. The customs desk was positioned immediately after security screening. I stopped by, though it seemed like you could bypass it if you really wanted to do so. When stopping by, I just had to scan my passport and answer the agent's question of what I purchased. No goods or receipts required.

Hi all,

Thinking about booking LAX-HND-ITM on JL with a 1.5 hour layover in HND. Would this be enough time to clear immigration/customs/re check luggage at HND?

The HND-ITM flight is also the last one of the day, so am worried about having to overnight in HND.

thanks in advance

It is tight but doable, reach out to the airline staff if it gets tight. Of course not much room for delays.
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Is LAX-HND-ITM on a single ticket or HND-ITM on a separate ticket such as Japan Explorer Pass? If it is on a single ticket then JL ground crews meeting LAX-HND flight at HND are often aware of passengers with tight connections and ground crews often will reach out to those passengers upon arrival at HND.

If it is on two separate tickets, then it is possible that JL ground crews at HND will not be aware of your connecting situation. Upon arrival at HND, there should be JL ground crews at the jet bridge, reach out to them and explain your tight connection.

I once had JL delayed the departure of HND-SIN due to connecting passengers on SPK-HND being delayed due to snow at Shin Chitose airport at Hokkaido. In your situation you are on the last flight of the day to ITM and ITM has a curfew where landing is not allowed after 9 p.m. JL will not able to hold your HND-ITM flight that much. But JL has HND-KIX departing HND at 8:55 p.m. and arriving at KIX at 10:15 p.m. If you miss the 7:00 p.m. ITM flight at HND (which I assume is your HND-ITM flight), I think the KIX flight is a possibility if you choose to reach Osaka that evening rather than stay overnight at HND.