HANADA - FUKUOKA : JAPAN TRIP

On 01st December morning, my good friend, Miura san, drove us from Narita to Hanada airport. It was very kind of him.

Along the highway, we could see beautiful autumn leaves. After 20 minutes drive, we were heading into the concrete jungle of Tokyo. Driving would be more relax with the GPS. Miura san admitted that he would not be unable to find his way in Tokyo without the GPS. As we were ahead of schedule, we took a side tour to the Rainbow bridge, a symbol of the bayside Tokyo. I was told that this Rainbow bridge is a 918 meters suspension bridge contructed in 1987 and completed in 1993. It provides the link across northern Tokyo Bay between Shibaura Wharf and the Odaiba waterfront. Crossing the Rainbow bridge and there was this a nice scenery of the Tokyo bay as per picture below. Hanada airport's (Tokyo International Airport)Terminal 2 check-in and departure level. The last time I used Hanada airport was in 1996. There were many check-in counters manned by staff, but this time, I could only see many "Self Service Check-in machines". As I did not know how to use the machine, I approahed one of the few ANA counter and found out that the check-in system has changed completely. Passengers have to check-in their tickets at the designated "Reservations and Check-in" desks or use the machines. Their baggage have to be check-in at a different area. We followed this process and after obtaining the boarding passes, we were told to go to baggage desk to deposit our baggage. We had to queue twice, but it did not take long as the traffic was not heavy that morning. ANA staff were very helpful.They spoke very little English but it was not a problem. Shops and restaurants are plenty on the landside as well as in the airside for passenger to dine, purchase Omiyage (Gifts), Obento and drink. Our Boarding gate - 62. ANA's standard boarding time -15 minutes before departure. While waiting to board the flight, I purchased this Obento (Lunch box) in the airside's shop. Boarding this ANA B777-300 - ANA has a large fleet B777-300 and 200 series operating their domestic services. The maximum capacity for the B777-300 is 514 passengers and 405 passengers on the 200 series. No meal services for this 1 hour and 55 minutes flight. Passengers could purchase their inflight Obento. However, coffee, tea, soft drink and soup were on the house. Arriving Fukuoka in the afternoon. Driving through the main street of Tenjin before checking in hotel. We put up at the New Otani, a very convenient hotel located at Watanabe "Dori" (road) near to shopping, "Chikagai" (underground city) and restaurants.