I’m typically not a fan of airport kiosks. I feel they are overpriced and their prices are quite similar to prices at an amusement park or baseball park.
But in Japan, they aren’t too expensive and they are great for…
Getting rid of all your yen ala coins.
As leaving Haneda Airport is typically at night, as opposed to my usual 5:00 p.m. departure from Narita Airport, you’re going to find ways to keep yourself busy and aware and because Haneda Airport is not like Narita with many shops in between gates (although it is getting better), for my recent departure, I had to depart via gate 110 and right nearby is the only kiosk that is not too far where I am sitting and waiting.
And that is Cafe 108, right between Gates 108-109, I was purchasing a small sandwich, drinks with caffeine and paying with coins that I typically never use…1 yen, 5 yen and 10 yen coins.
You accumulate these coins really quick, to the point that your coin pouch gets quite heavy and so I decided that Cafe 108 would be great to unload my coinage.
And the ladies were prepared. They had a coin holder where they knew how much coins you were getting rid of and they were pretty patient and had a fun time joking with them about it. But it’s not something you do in America, bring 100 pennies, 20 nickels or 50 dimes to pay for anything and cashiers are not really thrilled about that.
Granted, I know that perhaps doing something like this will surely annoy the person taking payments…
But in Japan, it’s part of their culture to be kind and they didn’t complain, in fact, they were well-prepared for it.
Overall, Cafe 108 is a kiosk that one goes to buy beverages or small deli sandwiches to keep refreshed during the wait for your plane departure home. But I have to say that I’m quite happy with their customer service and it’s classic Japanese service with a smile!
