Holiday travelers fill Haneda

The number of Japanese holiday travelers heading overseas through Tokyo's Haneda airport peaked on Thursday.

With nearly 50 international flights departing from the airport, check-in counters were filled with people off to spend the New Year's holidays overseas, mainly in China, South Korea, Taiwan, and other Asian destinations.

Haneda Airport resumed regular international operations in October for the first time in 32 years.

Its international departure terminal features a shopping area designed to look like an old Tokyo street, called "Edo Koji alley."
Restaurants and souvenir shops on the street were crowded with travelers and those there to see them off.

A couple from Tokyo said they are going to spend their holidays in Taiwan instead of Europe, because they have fewer days off this year.