Back in October, I had the opportunity to sleep on one of the runways at Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

…okay, not quite on the runway, but damn near close to it!

The Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu is a 387-room hotel located in terminal 2 of Haneda Airport and, if you get the right room, commands stunning point-blank views of the landing strips.

I’ve always been into planes and so when I first heard about the hotel, I wasted no time in booking a room, even though I had no actual business at the airport.

I arrived at the hotel in the evening and, eager to see how close a view you actually get of the planes, quickly checked in and hurried to my room on the 5th floor.

Arriving at my room, I opened the door and immediately rushed over to the window and looked out.

There’s really no better way to describe it, so I’d like to use the words that slipped out of my mouth when I first saw the scenery outside my room: “SOOO COOL!”

Just a few hundred meters away from my bed, there was a Boeing 787 and even a 747 pained with a Pokemon paint scheme. If I squinted, I was even able to see the pilot in the cockpit! If only I had brought binoculars!

The television displayed flight information and timetables, making it easy to see which flights were landing and taking off. Needless to say, I spent the entire night in my room gazing out the window plane-watching.

The hotel really is a dream for people who like planes and anyone planning a stay should make sure to book a room on the 4th floor or above of the runway side, as the view from the 3rd floor and below is blocked off by buildings.

Or you could always bring your own accommodation and enjoy philosophical conversation with a friend outside.

Photos: RocketNews24 (All images taken were taken with the iPhone4S and are completely zoomed out)

▼The hotel is located at point A. Along with a view of the airport’s landing area, you also get an excellent view of the Disneyland fireworks and Odaiba Ferris Wheel at night.

▼My room was on the 5th floor of this area. All the planes I saw were operated by ANA.

▼The point blank view of the runway from the window is surreal.

▼The room itself is standard for a business hotel

▼As is the bath

▼The toilet is separated from the bath and sink by a glass door

▼Romantic view with the lights of Chiba in the horizon

▼No drip, just instant.

▼Watching the flight information.

▼Who would have thought Haneda at night is so beautiful!



▼The 787 and Pokemon plane!

▼Take off!

▼A beautiful day.



▼The lobby! I’ll be back again next year!

[ Read in Japanese ]