5 Tips For A Fabulous Narita Airport Layover

Some Great ideas on how to spend the hours on your Narita Airport Layover, if your time is too short for Narita Airport hotels.

Some people find themselves in Narita Japan just for a short layover - having a few hours before their next flight.
Here are some Tips on how to spend your time in Narita Airport in Japan.

If Your Layover In Tokyo Airport Is 4 Hours Or Less

What can you do?
Many of the airline lounges have shower rooms, but if you're not entitled for a lounge you can still freshen up before your next flight.
The terminal has Shower rooms for rent. I hear they are small but perfectly clean. They do not provide any toiletries so bring your own.

Narita Airport also has 'day rooms' intended for those on a Narita Airport Layover. The rooms include a bed and a shower.
This will allow you to take a nap for a few hours without paying for a whole day at one of the Narita Airport hotels.

If Your Layover In The Airport In Tokyo Is 4-5 Hours Or More

Narita city is a small town one train stop away from Narita Airport, where you can see Authentic daily life in Japanese culture.

You'll need a minimum of four hours to get off your arriving flight, go though immigration and customs, change money and store luggage, travel into town and get back on time for your departing flight.

Before you leave the airport you should change money. It will be easier and faster than changing money at a bank in town.

Both Narita airport terminals have international ATM's on the arrival floor.
Some ATM's have a minimum of 10,000 Yen while others allow a minimum of 5,000. Most ATM's outside Narita Airport do not accept foreign cards.
There are also several banks operating currency exchange booths in the arrivals area. If you are going to exchange cash, do it here.

You can store your luggage at the Terminal. This is done by companies operating counters at the lobby.

The easiest way to get from Narita airport to Narita city is by train. The Keisei line has frequent trains from the basement of both terminals into Narita city.
You can buy your ticket from the ticket booth or from the ticket machines.
Coming back, make sure you get a train from Narita town to the airport terminals. Some trains from Narita go only to 'Higashi Narita' (East Narita), an airport stop for airport employees, not travelers.
There is also a bus service between Narita and the airport, although I can't recommend it. Buses can be very confusing for first timers.

When arriving at Narita city your first stop should be the Information Kiosk which is located to the right of the entrance to the JR (Japan Rail) train station.
The Narita city information booth provides maps and directions to specific places.

Here are some ideas on what to do in Narita city -
The streets surrounding the station are lined with traditional Japanese shops.
You'll see local Housewives do their shopping for traditional Japanese foods in the open air market.
The market also has some Japanese Ceramic shops, basket-shops and sushi restaurants.
Don't skip the 100 YEN Store in Omotesando Street (the main street) where you can buy chopsticks, rice bowls and other Japanese souvenirs.

There are a few excellent Japanese bakeries selling Japanese desserts and cakes.

Exploring Narita city is an opportunity to discover Japan culture off the beaten track.

The city also has a beautiful temple definitely worth visiting.
The temple grounds have a gorgeous park with ponds, waterfalls and magnificent plum and Japanese cherry Blossom trees which are great during spring Cherry Blossom festival.
The maple trees in the park are magnificent during Autumn as they change their colors, and the ducks in the pond complete the romantic atmosphere.

Narita City operates a special tour bus with Narita Airport Layover in mind. The tour starts at the JR Narita station.
It's a Retro bus painted red and green.
The bus goes through Omotesando Street which is the main street of the town, Naritasan Shinshoji Temple and AEON Mall Narita.
The information during the tour is given in Japanese, English and 2 kinds of Chinese and it appears on Monitor screens.

Ask at the Narita City Tourist Information desk which is located to the right of the entrance to the JR (Japan Rail) train station.

Some people find themslves in a longer Tokyo Airport Layover, and need a night's rest before their next flight. Check out my page on Narita Airport Hotels to find the Best Hotel near Narita Airport for your needs.

If you decide to commute to Tokyo on your Layover, Check out my page on Best Ways To arrive From Narita Airport To Tokyo by Narita limousine bus or Narita express.

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Return from Narita Airport Layover to Tokyo Attractions

Return from Narita Airport Layover to Narita Airport