Comfort Hotel Hakata
There aren't any airport hotels around FUK so we chose the Comfort Hotel at Hakata Station. The giant subway/train station is just two stops from the airport, the hotel is just across the street. The price for a double room was 79 Euro (incl. breakfast) which is not bad considering its location. We had booked via asiarooms.com and had picked a double standard room (twin option was not selectable in the list). After arrival we were told that the "standard double room" would be equipped with only one large bed - we explained that the "twin" option was not shown on asiarooms but they didn't care. So we had to pay some 20 Euro extra for getting a room with two beds.
The hotel in general was quite worn-out and room wasn't much larger than the (low cost) Toyoko-Inn room. The breakfast with a wide range of pastries and fresh fruit wasn't bad, though.
View from the room:
The hotel's front (only the first floor and the upper three floors of the building belong to the hotel):
Fukuoka Airport Spotting
Different observation decks are located on the domestic terminals 1 and 2 as well as on the international terminal (all free of charge). I preferred to stay at the terminal 2 facility all day because it offered perfect views of aircraft landing on and taxiing to runway 16. All facilities are open from 07:00 am until at least 20:00 (terminal 2: 21:30). The glass fence may be disturbing for photo spotters as well as the facing sun in the afternoon. However, perfect place for registration spotters:
The variety of operators and aircraft is excellent. Examples: Air China (733), Air Next (735), Air Nippon (735/73G), Air Nippon Network (DH8), ANA (A320/763/772/744), Asiana (A320/A333/763), Bangkok Air (A320), Cathay Pacific (A333), China Airlines (A333) China Eastern (A320/321), China Southern (A319/M90), Continental Micronesia (738), Dragonair (A321), EVA Air (A332), J-AIR (CRJ), JAL (M81/M90/A306/763/772/773), JAL Express (734/M81), JAC (DH8/SF3), JTA (734), Korean Air (A333/738), Philippines (A320), SIA (772), Skymark (738/763), Thai Aws (A306), Vietnam Als (A321). In the end I got a total of 77 new registrations.
ANA, JAL & Skymark:
ANA 747-400D:
Domestic gates on the left, international terminal on the right:
Yesterday at Okinawa-Naha, today at Fukuoka...
...ANA's JA8956, one of two Pokemon 747-400Ds:
Picture by Satchmo
China Airlines A330-302 B-18305 in Butterfly Orchid colors:
Picture by Satchmo
EVA Air A330-203 B-16303 in Hello Kitty colors:
Picture by Satchmo
All those who need a break after hours of spotting can explore an adjoining exhibition area with Boeing aircraft models...
...777 and engine charts...
...a giant 777-300 model and more charts...
...an original 777 tire...
...and pictures showing the development of Fukuoka Airport.
Last but not least: There are many restaurants in the terminal, offering tasty Japanese food, e.g. all kinds of Sushi boxes, at fair prices. Several drink and ice cream machines just next to the observation deck's entry door provide whatever thirsty spotters may need:
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
Fukuoka (FUK) - Tokyo (HND)
JAL - Japan Airlines, JL334
17:05-18:40 (17:09-18:43)
Flying time: 01:17 (hrs)
Boeing 777-289
JA8979 (s/n 107), delivered in 11/1997 to JAS - Japan Air System
Economy Seat 44A
Upgrade Impossible
Checking-in was a pleasure again, just like at NGO. The smiling lady at the counter was very friendly, again she took frequent flyer card and passports with both hands. Again we treated as premium pax even though we had just booked relatively cheap airpass flights. American and European carriers could learn so much in Japan. We asked about an upgrade to JAL's domestic business class for just 1000 yen (some six Euro), but the lady told us C class was already full on that late afternoon service. So we picked seats in the rear part of Economy.
Security: The Japanese Way
Passing the security checkpoint was a pleasure, too. Almost no waiting time, very friendly officers, asking politely to hand out the belt after passing the metal detector. No grim faces, no rude military-style orders like in certain other countries in these days...
Ex-JAS 777
About an hour prior to departure we spotted a JAL 772 on approach - and the very same aircraft taxied to our gate...
...we had hoped for an ex-JAS bird and we were glad it was JA8979, a 777-289.
Light Load
Boarding was started on time and it was amazing to see a large number of business travelers lining up, mostly dressed in black suits and carrying similar briefcases. We were among a small number of passengers wearing casual clothes. Very friendly F/As welcomed us at the door and we walked down to our row. It was amazing to see that C class was full while Y class was mostly empty. Load factor around 30%. Later I asked an F/A about the light load and she said the return flight to Fukuoka would be full.
Cabin Comfort
While JAL has always ordered domestic 777s in 3-4-3 configuration (397 seats in two classes on the 772), the ex-JAS planes are operated in a more spacious 2-5-2 configuration (380 seats in two classes). And unlike the domestic birds ordered by JAL, the ex-JAS birds are equipped with PTVs (airshow, front/down camera and TV features):
The seats (with headphones for audio entertainment put out on the surface) are quite comfortable...
...and the pitch is absolutely sufficient - much more than on many European short/medium-haul flights.
Powerful Takeoff
Boarding was completed soon and we left our parking position at 17:09. Empty gates on our left:
Front camera view...
...on the way to...
...runway 34.
Just after turning in the two PW4084 powerplants loudly howled and kicked the 777 down the runway.
The light 777 rocketed upwards...
...and climbed steeply into the skies over Fukuoka. That was one of the shortest and most powerful takeoff rolls I have ever experienced on a 777.
Passing the harbor area:
Down camera view:
Fast Climb
We broke through the clouds...
...and continued to climb quickly after a short brake. Beautiful light effects while setting course for Tokyo:
Sunset on a cloudy heaven, with the 777's elevator unit on the left:
It was time to check the airshow...
...and I was surprised when I read the data on the screen:
Some minutes later we were cruising at 11,900 meters (39,000 feet), at a (tail-wind supported) speed of 1142 km/h - and all that only 20 minutes after takeoff!
Floral Room
After a drink service (tea/coffee/juices/soup) I walked through the empty cabin and discovered the sign "Floral Room" on a lavatory door:
I asked one of the F/As about that and she told me it's a lavatory with additional amenities for women. "But men have also access", she added and smiled. Later at home I found out that JAS had actually invented the "Floral Room", becoming the first airline in the world in March 1996 to offer a dedicated lavatory for women. Interestingly, the designation has survived the JAL/JAS merger - JAL had called its lady lavatory "Elegance Room". However, I still don't know whether men can always use the "Floral Room" or whether it was an exception due to the light load.
Apart from a smell of flowers in the lavatory, the amenities include emulsions, hand soap...
...and pink and green patterned toilet paper:
Approach
One hour had passed quickly and we started the descent into Tokyo-Haneda. First heading north to Tokyo-Narita...
...then turning left towards Tokyo Bay and Haneda:
Again the front camera was switched on and offered good views:
We touched down at 18:37...
...and arrived at the gate six minutes later.
On blocks at 18:43 - three minutes behind schedule.
Before disembarking we chatted for a short while with one of the F/As. She asked what we had planned for our visit to Tokyo and we told her about the purpose of our trip. She was a bit surprised and told us about the beautiful countryside in October and November. We assured that we would come back for an extended country tour in the future.
Narita Airport Rest House
Minutes later we grabbed our luggage and bought tickets for the roughly 75 minutes transfer to Tokyo-Narita Airport (3000 Yen = 18 Euro, one way). After arrival we had to take a shuttle bus to the Narita Airport Rest House - a hotel which seems to be just next to the terminal on certain maps. However, you really need to take a shuttle bus and airport view from the rooms may be very limited. The hotel (double room for 88 Euro) is not in good shape any more and the older concierge wasn't friendly at all - I asked for airport view and all he replied was "rooms not for viewing". Either he was rude or he didn't speak English well, who knows. At least the hotel offered a large breakfast buffet.
Tokyo-Narita Spotting - 31 October
We took the shuttle bus back to the airport in the next morning and went to the observation deck on Terminal 1 (open between 08:00 and 20:00). That facility is facing the main runway used for all 747 operations and all longhaul departures. I stayed there all day and didn't check the observation deck on Terminal 2 (facing the shorter runway) - simply because one would miss more aircraft over there than at the T1 facility. Depending on the time of the day, photo spotters need to switch to another places around the airport.
The variety of airlines is enormous, but numerous Asian carriers use 747s or other longhaul aircraft which also fly to European or American destinations. Japanese domestic aircraft are rare, but ANA and JAL have based a large number of international aircraft at NRT (e.g. ANA 77W in Star colors and ANA 763ER in panda cls). Chinese carriers are limited, some of them fly into Haneda. Despite some well-known European and American longhaul aircraft and other doubles I logged a total of 103 new registrations until sunset in the late afternoon.
In the afternoon an NWA A332 arrived - without its right winglet.
Some mechanics visually inspecting the wingtip:
Evening scenes...
After sunset we bought a return bus ticket to Tokyo-Haneda Airport. This time the journey was a bit longer due to dense traffic. From HND we took the shuttle bus to the Toyoko-Inn Haneda Otorii Honkan, some ten minutes from the airport.
Conclusion
Domestic flying between FUK and HND on JAL was once again a pleasure: friendly, customer-orientated staff everywhere and lots of comfort on the ex-JAS 777-289. The powerful takeoff and fast climb on that light widebody were additional fun factors. No English newspapers this time, but PTVs were a nice compensation.
Next report: HND-UKB-HND on ANA 763 (non-ER) & Skymark 763ER
Contact Air From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 1154 posts, RR: 14 Reply 2, posted (5 years 5 months 1 week 1 hour ago) and read 11918 times:
Hi PH,
again a great trip report of your Japan series! Japan seems to be a spotter's paradise! However, the special colours of many Asian airlines like Pokemon or Hello Kitty don't really meet my personal taste...
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): the ex-JAS birds are equipped with PTVs (airshow, front/down camera and TV features):
Thar's really a nice feature on a domestic flight, especially the front camera and the airshow. Travelling on domestic flights in Japan seems to be a really pleasant experience.
Buck3y3nut From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 864 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (5 years 5 months 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 11711 times:
Great trip report again. I really enjoyed reading it and also looking at the pictures. I so want to sit in a B777 one of these days... thanks a bunch for sharing this report with us
AirxLiban From Lebanon, joined Oct 2003, 4491 posts, RR: 55 Reply 7, posted (5 years 5 months 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 11655 times:
Brilliant as always! Seems to be a really spotter-friendly country and I don't think I've ever been to any airport where they have Boeing model aircraft as well as a 777 tyre!!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Later at home I found out that JAS had actually invented the "Floral Room", becoming the first airline in the world in March 1996 to offer a dedicated lavatory for women
Interesting...I had never heard about this before. I would have expected it to have tampons and nail polish, not hand soap!
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8258 posts, RR: 56 Reply 8, posted (5 years 5 months 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 11528 times:
Great report PH,
Narita is one of my favorite places in the world to spot, just superb!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): While JAL has always ordered domestic 777s in 3-4-3 configuration (397 seats in two classes on the 772), the ex-JAS planes are operated in a more spacious 2-5-2 configuration (380 seats in two classes). And unlike the domestic birds ordered by JAL, the ex-JAS birds are equipped with PTVs (airshow, front/down camera and TV features):
- Interesting these former JAS birds still have their original layout, given the relative small fleet numbers, I would have expected them to be re-ftted to the rest of the JAL fleet.
PRAirbus From Puerto Rico, joined Apr 2005, 1012 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (5 years 5 months 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 11337 times:
What a great attention to detail and nice touches onboard even for a domestic leg...what a contrast w/the dismal state of US airlines' service especially domestically...I bet those are among the cleanest aircraft lavatories...pity US airlines are in such bad shape and low standards.
Airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, RR: 52 Reply 11, posted (5 years 5 months 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 11254 times:
Hi PH,
thank you for another positive report on JL You were lucky with catching all the special Asian colourscheme's at FUK, at least. And about NRT Rest House Hotel: it's also used for deporting people, with no valid passport etc. They will get a room in the Rest House with guards in front of the door, until next morning. When you know how to walk, it's within walking distance of the terminal (via a parking lot etc.), but the (yellow) shuttle is fine too!
Next time; I recommend you to stay at Narita City: a big variaty of hotels of any class, with free shuttle services. The city offers a wide variaty of shops and restaurants/bars, also international food dishes if you are finished with Japanese style
Cheers,
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
Ndebele From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 2895 posts, RR: 25 Reply 12, posted (5 years 5 months 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 11112 times:
Amazing report about spotting in Japan, and of course the nice domestic 777!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Different observation decks are located on the domestic terminals 1 and 2 as well as on the international terminal (all free of charge)
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): I logged a total of 103 new registrations until sunset in the late afternoon.
Yes, Japanese airports are a spotter's paradise, I've been to NRT and HND and enjoyed my time there, good to read that other Japanese airports offer similar good viewing decks.
B747forever From United States of America, joined May 2007, 16574 posts, RR: 11 Reply 15, posted (5 years 5 months 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 10806 times:
Great TR.
This TRs gets better and better, cant wait until next part!!
Amazing how many special livery planes are flying around in Japan.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): Last but not least: There are many restaurants in the terminal, offering tasty Japanese food, e.g. all kinds of Sushi boxes, at fair prices. Several drink and ice cream machines just next to the observation deck's entry door provide whatever thirsty spotters may need
Great to read that the airport rip-off prices didn't reach Japan yet. Drinks and food are completely overpriced in Europen airports, I remember that I paid 7.60 EUR for two glasses of 0.3 liters beer at Cologne airport when a friend and me flew down to Munich to watch football there a few weeks ago.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): We asked about an upgrade to JAL's domestic business class for just 1000 yen (some six Euro), but the lady told us C class was already full on that late afternoon service.
Too bad that every seat was already taken, six Euro upgrade fee is indeed a great fare.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Thread starter): ...and the pitch is absolutely sufficient - much more than on many European short/medium-haul flights.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6183 posts, RR: 79 Reply 17, posted (5 years 5 months 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 10701 times:
Hello everybody, thanks for all your replies. I'm glad to see you enjoyed reading.
Quoting EXAAUADL (Reply 6): How long does the train take and how much would it cost?
I guess you mean the subway between Fukuoka Airport and Hakata Station? Can't remember the exact fare, but somewhere around 2 or 3 Euro (one way). The ride itself took less than 10 minutes.
Quoting AirxLiban (Reply 7): I don't think I've ever been to any airport where they have Boeing model aircraft as well as a 777 tyre!!
The Qantas Heritage Collection at SYD is full of similar stuff - no 777 items.
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 8): Interesting these former JAS birds still have their original layout, given the relative small fleet numbers, I would have expected them to be re-ftted to the rest of the JAL fleet.
I'm not sure how much effort it would require to replace the ex-JAS configuration by a standard 3-4-3 seating. Interestingly, Cathay's B-HNL (s/n 001) hasn't been reconfigured to 3-3-3 seating either.
Quoting PRAirbus (Reply 10): I bet those are among the cleanest aircraft lavatories
Yes, totally clean - and not only on the aircraft but also everywhere else at the airports.
Quoting Airbuseric (Reply 11): You were lucky with catching all the special Asian colourscheme's at FUK, at least.
Indeed, I could log many special aircraft - but not the 773 in oneworld colors!
Quoting Airbuseric (Reply 11): Next time; I recommend you to stay at Narita City: a big variaty of hotels of any class, with free shuttle services. The city offers a wide variaty of shops and restaurants/bars, also international food dishes if you are finished with Japanese style
The location of the Rest House seemed to be perfect according to certain maps on different websites. Thanks for the info, next time I'll stay at Narita City.
Quoting Ndebele (Reply 12): Yes, Japanese airports are a spotter's paradise, I've been to NRT and HND and enjoyed my time there, good to read that other Japanese airports offer similar good viewing decks.
I still remember your nice reports!
Quoting DALCE (Reply 13): Already looking forward to the next chapter!
Quoting B747forever (Reply 15): This TRs gets better and better, cant wait until next part!!
Quoting Sabena332 (Reply 16): Drinks and food are completely overpriced in Europen airports, I remember that I paid 7.60 EUR for two glasses of 0.3 liters beer at Cologne airport
What a rip-off!
Quoting Sabena332 (Reply 16): Too bad that every seat was already taken, six Euro upgrade fee is indeed a great fare.
You don't get many more extras, but it's still a good deal.
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6079 posts, RR: 56 Reply 19, posted (5 years 5 months 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 10571 times:
Excellent report! Extra bonus for the 777 exhibition at FUK! Travelling in Japan is amazing and I plan to go back soon.
I would recommend staying at the Marroad Hotel at NRT where you have views of the runway from some rooms.
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
Ryanair!!! From Singapore, joined Mar 2002, 4652 posts, RR: 27 Reply 20, posted (5 years 5 months 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 10449 times:
I wished ALL airports still had viewing galleries like those in Japan. There is nothing better than hearing the roar of the engines and the whiff of jet fuel.
Thank you for the pics.
Welcome to my starry one world alliance, a team in the sky!
Palmjet From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 1051 posts, RR: 20 Reply 21, posted (5 years 5 months 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 10265 times:
Thanks for a great trip report. I've read your other two reports as well for this trip and likewise, you seem to have had an amazing time, as I did in September. We never got to FUK but it looks good - even if there is glass at the observation deck. NRT and HND were both amazing. NRT for variety but HND for the sheer number of widebodies in close proximity.
Triple7man From Thailand, joined May 2005, 679 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (5 years 5 months 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 10169 times:
The Japan airports are some of the best places in the world for aircraft spotting. HND is good for domestic flights, NRT is the place for international flights.
Most of the flights w/i Japan are of less than 2 hours, so while the service is not elaborate, it is still very nice. The Asian carriers have always given good service, and I find it a pleasure to fly both NH and JL
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6183 posts, RR: 79 Reply 23, posted (5 years 5 months 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 9939 times:
Thanks a lot for all new replies!
Quoting OHLHD (Reply 18): I have always been a fan of your posts and this TR along with your other TR's are really a delight for my brain. A real pleasure reading them!
Great to hear, thanks!
Quoting The777Man (Reply 19): I would recommend staying at the Marroad Hotel at NRT where you have views of the runway from some rooms.
Good to know, will keep that in mind.
Quoting Palmjet (Reply 21): I've read your other two reports as well for this trip and likewise, you seem to have had an amazing time, as I did in September.
It was a truly successful and satisfying trip - the question is not if but when I'll fly to Japan again.
AA767LOVER From Hong Kong, joined Aug 2007, 549 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (5 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 9486 times:
Thanks for the great photos! Yeah your hotel didn't look too terribly appealing, almost institutional if I might say so.
I have a thought about those vending machines. . . What if . . . one day . . . they contained Herpa or Dragon models.
If they can sell something expensive like an i-pod that drops down without breaking, they could sell models at any time without us having to wait for shops to open in the airport to buy one!
J.I. Tsui, American Advantage Member, United Mileage Plus (Premier)
25 Leskova: Catching up on reading your reports tonight... Great report, but that's not really a surprise - superb details, and I'm getting that ever-stronger itc
26 PlaneHunter: Thanks for your replies, Justin and Frank! Yes, who knows. Everything's possible in Japan. That's a general phenomenon - the whole country seems to be
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From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6183 posts, 
Either he was rude or he didn't speak English well, who knows. At least the hotel offered a large breakfast buffet.
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