Observation Deck

The observation deck at Haneda Airport Terminal 2 is a solid spot for aviation geeks and plane spotters alike. It stretches across the rooftop, with open-air access and minimal obstruction, making it excellent for watching aircraft movements up close. The deck gives a clear view of Runway 34R/16L, which sees a fair bit of domestic traffic from ANA and other Japanese carriers. If you’ve got a big zoom—say 300mm or above—you’ll have a field day capturing taxiing aircraft, lineup and takeoff shots, and some sharp detail of airline liveries and gear retraction.

The mesh fencing does have small holes ideal for lenses, and the light is generally favourable during the day, especially in the late afternoon when the golden hour hits the tarmac. It’s a known haunt for local spotters, and it’s not unusual to see tripods and white L-series lenses lined up in a row.

Once you’ve filled your card with JPEGs and RAWs, Terminal 2 also offers some surprisingly decent restaurants. There’s a mix of Japanese fare—tonkatsu, sushi, ramen—as well as cafés with a good view of the apron if you want to keep one eye on the runway while you eat. Some spots even let you linger by the windows long enough to catch that one rare livery you’ve been hoping for.