KIX and HND

August 10, 2015 -- KIX and HND -- Land Tour Day 6

It's time to go home! After almost a month away, we were ready to go home. This had been an amazing trip, especially the cruise part on Diamond Princess. It is so different cruising around Japan than cruising other parts of the world. It was easy to get to places in all the ports with free shuttles or easy public transportation and the food was certainly to our liking! I would skip the land tour part and DIY next time which gives us more control of our itineraries. We did it this time because of the mobility issues of family members and it was OK but we felt that the arrangements might not be the best for regular travelers who can do things on their own.

From our hotel window looking out at the very industrial area of Neyagawa, a city in the northeast outskirt of Osaka. 

There is really nothing much around.

That was our hotel--Neyagawa Trend Hotel. We practically just spent the night there and left early the next morning.

After about an hour drive we arrived at the Osaka airport (KIX).

The airport was extremely busy with long check-in lines especially for the flights to Taiwan because of the typhoon there on previous days. There was also a worldwide scout conference and most scout members were leaving that morning. We sat at the International flights area (3rd floor) and waited  until our family members checked in for their flights to Taiwan.

We were to fly out to Haneda at 7:55PM to make the connection back to LAX at 12:05AM so we had a whole day here. We then went down to the Domestic area (2nd floor) to see if we could check-in early. The ANA staff were very helpful at this airport. They even got us an earlier flight (5:00PM) out to Haneda and checked our luggage all the way through to LAX.

Domestic ANA check-in counters

Osaka Airport is one huge impressive airport. We spent some time taking turns to explore the many shops and restaurants here and to figure out where we wanted to have lunch. We ended up eating at the food court which had many different choices. One suggestion is not to miss the meat buns, which was quite delicious.

My lunch--egg

and fried pork chop.

Entrance to the food court. That's the meat bun place on the left.

After a couple of hours we went through security and up to the gate area. Work stations with outlets are available there.

Kid's play area

empty

Our plane

Finally boarded.

Arrived at Haneda airport.

Taking the long walk to the transit area in the Domestic terminal.

Then we went down to take the shuttle to the International terminal.

Waiting area for the shuttles

Only a few people that evening.

It was quite a long drive between the Domestic and International terminals.

Check-in counters at the International terminal. We already had our boarding passes so we did not have to go through the lines here.

Our second time here at Haneda airport. 

Nice bridge

The restaurants here are much more expensive than Osaka airport and with less choices. 

We ended up just having hamburgers for dinner at Mos Burgers.

After our light dinner we went into the gate area to wait for our flight.

Finally, on our way home.

First meal, a sandwich for this midnight flight.

Next time, I will try not to fly from Haneda and not taking a midnight flight. Seems like the planes flying in and out of Haneda are older and the service minimal.

Second meal before landing at LAX. This meal was a little better.

After the OK breakfast, we arrived LAX safely with thousands of fellow travelers. Long lines through immigration and customs but it was an easy process. Good to be home!

Next trip, China in November.