As with all first times, it was also my first in taking a connecting flight via ANA (All Nippon Airways). One of the question that popped up was this, "Do I need to get my luggage bag from the baggage claim area?" The answer was yes and also need to go through immigration and custom. For a Malaysian travelling from Singapore to Haneda and from Haneda from Sapporo, we need to fill-in the customs declaraction form and the usual embarkation/disembarkation form. The 1.5 hours of interval between the connecting flight is actually not a very long time. After going through immigration in Haneda airport, there was about 20 minutes wait for the luggage to be out. After which, need to check-in the luggage for the domestic flight. There was just about enough time to catch the shuttle bus to the right gate for the domestic flight. The bus ride is about 15 minutes.
All was good, and managed to do so without much issue though was somewhat concerned when the bags are not coming out of the conveyor belt. ANA flight staff do not speak much English but no worries as we could still communicate. As per past experience, ANA food option was categorised into Set A or Set B; where one option is usually Japanese food and the other International/Western styled food. Managed to watch Frozen for in-flight entertainment. The domestic flight from Haneda to New Chitose Airport, was an hour and a half ride, and one gets a snack pack and a cup of juice.
From New Chitose Airport, just head towards the JR ticketing office to purchase the JR Rapid train ticket with reserved seat to Sapporo. At the same time, also collected the tickets for the Hakodate trip which I had booked earlier via its
online ticketing reservation service. No need to splurge on first class tickets as normal tickets with seat reservation was comfortable enough. Reserved seat area are non-smoking.
Find out the correct platform number from the ticketing officer or look at the electronic info board. The train ticket will only contain information on the carriage and seat number.
 |
| JR railway station New Chitose Airport |
One thing that must be noted; the trains in Japan will usually depart on-time. If the train is scheduled to depart at 10:33am, then you will need to be onboard at least 5 minutes before that. The 10:33am train was at the platform around 10:25am, so it can be boarded once the airport passengers disembarked.
Luggage storage for bulky luggages is usually at the end of the reserved seat carriage.
 |
| "U seat" carriage for reserved ticket holder |
 |
| inside the train |
 |
| for ticket inspection |
Don't forget to bring your ticket along, otherwise will not be able to pass through the destination's station gate.
 |
| scenary on the way to Sapporo |
First impression of the city when travelling from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo, was that the streets looked so empty...
Links:
Pre-trip prep
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment