Approaching Tokyo From Haneda

Unabashedly, I have to admit I'm a fan of Tokyo. It simply is the sleekest in the world. Cities for me are about people and Tokyo have lots of those. But Tokyo organized itself in a way so that those people should enjoy modern comfortable lives despite the  congestion, building futuristic amenities to accomplish thus, and that includes not only sleek well-designed urban architecture but extensive networks of overhead highways & railroads to connect its multiple CBD's, one on top of the other in three levels zipping past between sleek glass skyscrapers (a feat copied in very minor versions by Manila at Ortigas-EDSA, EDSA-Shaw intersections & Magallanes Interchange & at Bangkok's Thanom Saiton Tai-Narradhiwas-Rajanagarinda intersection). Straight from Japanese hit science-fiction mangas, indeed.

There are many things to marvel about Tokyo. One is mostly hidden to international travellers. Tokyo should transfer all its passenger traffic to Haneda. Approaching Tokyo from Narita passes through uninspiring working-class districts in the northeast. Approaching it from Haneda is the most spectacular approach to a city from an airport in the world.

You can ride the monorail or drive through the Metropolitan Expressway Haneda Route.

After passing through columns of mere high rises in Ota, you'll then pass through the skyscrapers of Shinagawa to your left, Tokyo Bay and its islands on your right.

As you enter Minato, more skyscrapers at both sides. If you get off here, nearby is the famous Roppongi nightlife.

You're nearing the central Ginza area and the monorail track at your right jumps over to connect to its station at Hamamasucho

It becomes Tokyo Expressway.

Just visible is the Tokyo Tower at the tip of Roppongi Dori in Minato.

A park at your right, a row of glass hotels at your leftt

Chuo Dori, the main shopping street of Ginza at your right.

Dai Keihin, the great high-rise lined highway from Yokohama to your left.

We'll feature the ride through central Ginza in a future post.