• Understand
• Get around
• See
• Do
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Get out

Narita (成田; [1]) is a city in Chiba prefecture, Japan, some 70 kilometers to the northeast of Tokyo.

Omote-sandō, leading to Narita Shinsho-ji

[edit] Understand

The vast majority of Narita's visitors come there for one reason only: Narita Airport, Tokyo's international gateway. But there are a few attractions in the vicinity if you have a short layover and don't want to waste 2-3 hours of it on the long hike to Tokyo.

Narita Airport and Japan Tourism were experimenting with conducting short tours for passengers with layovers at Narita Airport, but this seems to have ended; visitors can use the Retrobus instead (see Get Around).

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Narita Airport (成田空港 Narita-kūkō, IATA: NRT ICAO: RJAA), located nearly 70 kilometers northeast of Tokyo, is Japan's largest international airport. The airport is generally modern and efficient, but sometimes overcrowded (particularly at immigration). Security is rather heavy, especially when coming in, due to continuing controversy over land expropriated for the airport.

The airport has two terminals connected by both train and bus. Foreign airlines operate out of either terminal, with Japanese carriers ANA and JAL operating out of terminals 1 and 2, respectively.

The South Wing of Terminal 1 opened in June of 2006, and now most airlines in the Star Alliance (e.g. ANA, United, Air Canada) operate out of that section (although Air New Zealand operates from Terminal 2). Carriers in the other two major airline alliances are also grouped together: the Skyteam Alliance (e.g. Continental, Delta, Northwest, Korean Air) operates out of the North Wing of Terminal 1, and the OneWorld Alliance (e.g. American, British Airways, JAL) operates out of Terminal 2. Check the airport's website just prior to your departure to determine the terminal you will arrive at. On the way to the airport, there are also lists (in English) posted near the doors of trains going to Narita.

There are Citibank cash machines that accept international ATM/credit cards once you leave customs on the arrivals floor of both terminals. Recently, 7-Eleven affiliated Seven Bank ATMs accepting foreign cards can also be found throughout the airport.

There are many ways to travel between Narita Airport and central Tokyo. For a first-time visitor, suffering jet-lag, laden with luggage and holding a reservation for a major hotel, the easiest option is often to take the Limousine Bus direct to the hotel. A close second is taking one of the express trains to Tokyo or Ueno Station and then transferring to a taxi for the final leg. If taking the bus, note that traffic jams can cause you to reach your destination a lot later than you were told when you boarded.

When departing Narita, the better shops and restaurants are located in the check-in area: after passing security and immigration, all that's really available is expensive duty-free and some convenience store sundries. But remember that Japan restricts liquids in carry-on baggage, and plan to buy drinks for the plane after security.

If you're at Narita for a connecting flight, you may wish to use the dayrooms and showers inside the terminal, past security. Dayrooms are paid for by the hour; ¥1000 for the first hour and ¥500 for each additional hour. The dayroom consists of a bed and a bathroom with a shower. It's a great way to refresh yourself before your next flight. If you just want to take a shower, you can get a shower room for ¥500 for a half hour. Soap and shampoo are provided, but not things like toothbrushes, toothpaste, shavers, and deodorant, so bring them in your carry-on with your change of clothes. Twin dayrooms are available for ¥1600 for the first hour and ¥800 for each additional hour. Dayroom reservations can be made up to a month in advance [2]

WiFi is available throughout the airport with the SSID NRT-AIRPORT. Access is quite inexpensive; ¥500 per 24 hours. [3]

[edit] By helicopter

If you're really in a hurry (depending on your definition of the term), Narita Heli Express [4] will whisk you to or from Tokyo Heliport (in Shin-Kiba). The regular fare is ¥260,000 per flight, which means that a solo passenger would spend the cost of one night's stay at the average Tokyo hotel every minute during the 20 minute ride. But if you share the ride with four other willing companions (the helicopter seats up to five), it splits down to ¥52000 per passenger.

When making a journey-time comparison with other transport methods, one should take account of the time required to travel between one's point of origin and the heliport in Shin-Kiba and the time taken for travel between the helipad at Narita airport and the relevant termnal building. For a journey from the Tokyo station area to Narita Terminal 2, the time difference may be 20 minutes or less.

IF this tickles your interest, keep in mind that the helicopter also has service to Kawajima, Saitama prefecture in 30 minutes (¥235,000 per flight) and Maebashi, Gunma prefecture in 40 minutes (¥355,000).

[edit] By train

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There are two train lines from Narita and both will get you into Tokyo. Note that if coming to the airport, each terminal has its own station and it is imperative that you get off at the right one. The stop for Terminal 1 is Narita Airport (成田空港), and the stop for Terminal 2 is, appropriately, Airport Terminal 2 (空港第２ビル), pronounced kūkō dai-ni biru, or literally, "Airport Number 2 Building". Lists of airlines and their terminals are posted inside the trains.

[edit] JR line

From Narita Airport, the fastest and most expensive way (by rail) into Tokyo is the Japan Railways (JR) Narita Express (N'EX) [5] into central Tokyo Station. The ride takes 55 minutes, costs ¥2,940 and offers the best connections to Shinkansen (bullet train) services or the JR Yamanote loop line. Trains usually depart Terminal 1 at around 15 and 45 minutes past the hour; there is one hourly departure between 12 Noon and 1 PM, and after 8 PM. Smoking is not permitted on board the Narita Express, and all seats are reserved.

Alternatively, you can continue onward in the same train, which sometimes splits in two with the front half heading west to Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Omiya, while the rear cars go south to Shinagawa, Yokohama and Ofuna. Other times, the entire train goes just to one of these destinations. Be sure to confirm where the train is going when buying your ticket. Reservations are required but can be purchased just before boarding if there is space (and there usually is). If there is no space, JR will sell standing tickets for ¥500 less.

JR East sells a Suica fare card, called "Suica & N'EX", exclusively to foreign visitors at a cost of ¥3500. The cost includes a one-way, discounted ¥1500 fare on the Narita Express and regular JR lines from the airport to any destination in the Tokyo metropolitan area; ¥1500 to use on rail travel in Tokyo or on purchases at locations that accept the Suica card, and a ¥500 deposit. The "Suica & N'EX" card is sold only at Narita Airport, and can be purchased using cash or credit card. It can also be recharged with additional funds, but only by paying cash. (As an example, under this fare a one-way trip on the Narita Express from the airport to Shinjuku would cost only ¥1500, compared to the normal fare of ¥3110, but keep in mind that you will have to pay the normal fare to use the Narita Express for your return trip to the airport.)

JR also operates Rapid trains on the Sobu/Narita line, leaving once per hour and stopping at various points along the way, including Chiba. To Tokyo the trip is approximately 82 minutes and costs ¥1,280. These are normal, non-smoking commuter trains and often get crowded during rush hour (though boarding at Narita Airport should not be a problem).

If you have a voucher for a JR pass, then you should exchange it here at the JR View Plaza Travel Service Center (Regular JR ticket counter when the View Plaza is closed), as the Narita Express is free with a Japan Rail Pass. You can also make onward reservations from Tokyo.

Keisei Electric Railway's Skyliner.

[edit] Keisei line

The private Keisei (京成) line has trains to central Tokyo and a few that go directly to Haneda airport.

Keisei's Skyliner [6] with reserved seats costs ¥1920 and goes directly from Narita Airport to Ueno or Nippori in one hour, with a brief intermediate stop at Funabashi. Trains usually depart every 40 minutes. Smoking is permitted in the train's end cars (car 1 and car 8).

At Keisei Ueno Station, you can walk over to JR Ueno station to connect to the JR Yamanote line and northbound Shinkansen trains. A faster transfer to the Yamanote line can be done at Nippori Station, as both Keisei and JR share one station.

The budget option is the limited express Keisei train, which costs ¥1000 to go to Ueno and Nippori. The limited express takes about 20 minutes longer than the Skyliner and can be crowded at rush hour, although boarding at Narita is rarely a problem. No smoking is permitted on these trains, and a Suica or PASMO card (see Tokyo/Get around) can be used.

Note that most, but not all limited express trains go to Ueno and Nippori, so check the train's destination before boarding. A few Keisei trains run through to the Toei Asakusa subway line. A few trains even go all the way to Haneda Airport on the Keikyu line. But in most cases, you can take a limited express train to Aoto station, and switch to the train across the platform for service on the Asakusa subway line.

The Asakusa subway line can be used for going to Asakusa (75 minutes from Narita, ¥1120) and Ginza (Higashi-Ginza station, 90 minutes, ¥1160). Using a stored farecard (Suica or PASMO) will prove to be convenient.

[edit] By bus

There is also a network of Airport Limousine shuttle buses that serve most major hubs within Tokyo, stopping at major hotels, as well as some suburbs. Prices are comparable to the Narita Express train services (¥3,000/person), but are convenient for the first-time traveler as they take you directly to your hotel. The Airport Limousine is also the best way to transfer to Haneda Airport. The journey to most points in central Tokyo takes 90 minutes or so, but watch out in rush hour (especially on the way to the airport) as there may be traffic jams.

The Airport Limousine buses make three pickup stops (Terminal 1 North Wing, Terminal 1 South Wing, Terminal 2) and two dropoff stops (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2).

[edit] By taxi

A taxi to central Tokyo is extremely expensive, on the order of ¥30000 if you hail one directly by yourself (equivalent to a few nights stay in the average Tokyo hotel), and you are more likely to get stuck in a traffic jam than save any time. Flat fare taxi cabs to Tokyo go for around ¥17000-19000 from special taxi ranks, but even so, if you're in a hurry, it's generally much faster and cheaper to take the Narita Express or the Skyliner, and change to a taxi upon arriving in Tokyo or Ueno. If you're not in a hurry, consider the airport limousine bus.

[edit] Get around

Probably the easiest way to go between Narita City and Narita Airport is by using the Retrobus[7], the tourist bus service operated by Narita City. There are seven daily trips from JR Narita station, stopping at major locations within the city (including the International Cultural Center, AEON Narita Shopping Center and Shinsoji Temple), as well as both terminals of Narita Airport. Buses depart from Narita Airport Terminal 2 at 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, 13:30, 15:00, 16:30 and 18:00; departures from Terminal 1 are 5 minutes later. The first three buses run directly from the airport to the Cultural Center and Shopping Center in about 20 minutes; the last bus at 18:00 only runs to JR Narita station.

It is also possible to go between the city and the airport by using the JR and Keisei local trains, although these are more expensive and not as convenient.

There is also a slightly more complex local bus network run by Narita Kuko Kotsu[8] which is mainly useful for accessing the Aviation Museum and industrial areas around the airport. Fares for this line range from ¥150 to ¥420 depending on distance.

[edit] See

• Naritasan Shinshō-ji Temple (成田山新勝寺). [9]. Said to date back to 800 AD, the large temple has a wide assortment of classical Japanese pagodas and halls and a pleasant quasi-European park. Half the fun is getting there: the kilometer-long Omote-sandō from Narita station is a giant shopping arcade filled with restaurants and souvenir shops. Directions are available from the airport's Tourist Information Desk.
• Sakura-no-Yama Hill (成田市さくらの山) [10] is located near the northern end of the main runway of Narita International Airport. Unfortunately there is no bus service to this location. There is nice little park with beautiful cherry trees and a good view of airplanes landing and taking off from the main runway.
• Sanrizuka Goryo Ranch Memorial Hall (三里塚記念公園) [11]. +81 476 35-0442. 25min by bus from JR Narita Station. Open 9AM-4PM daily except Mondays. Admission free.
• Museum of Aeronautical Science (航空科学博物館) [12]. +81 479 78-0557. About 15min by bus from Narita Airport (JR/Keisei Station). Open 10AM-5PM. Closed on Mondays, year end and new years holidays. There is a charge to get into the main building, which has an observation deck on the fifth floor.
• Chiba Prefectural Flower and Tree Center (Botanical Garden) (千葉県立花植木センター) [13]. +81 476 32-0237. Open 9AM-4:30PM. Closed on Mondays, year end and new years holidays. Admission free.
• Narita Tourist Pavilion (成田観光館). [14] +81 476 24-3232. Learn about Japanese Tea Ceremony every Thursday from 10:30AM. Open 10AM-6PM (June through September) and 9AM-5PM (October through May). Closed on Mondays and during year end period.

[edit] Do

If you are going into Narita, make sure to get some Japanese ¥ as most places will not take foreign currency. The 7-Eleven outside of the west gate of JR Narita station takes foreign cards 24 hours a day, and there is also a post office with ATM a few blocks down the street from the am/pm store. Also allow a bit of time for exchanging back leftover currency on departure as this is not something you can do at an ATM!

[edit] Buy

Not that much. There is a large Aeon shopping mall outside of town, which you can get to by bus, if you absolutely have to visit a branch of the sporting goods store "The Sports Authority." There are souvenir stores on the road leading to the temple, as well as a reasonably interesting "100 yen" store -- which actually sells items for ¥105 including consumption tax -- along the way. Still, everything should be cheaper than at the airport.

• LaOX (ラオックス), Yourelm 3F, Kozu-no-Mori 4-5-3 (next to Keisei Kozu-no-Mori stn). A branch of Japan's biggest electronics chain, which also handles duty-free sales — although finding an English speaker will be hit or miss. Fairly convenient location one station further down from Keisei Narita, just note that express trains do not stop here.

[edit] Eat

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• Papas is one good place to eat in Narita. It's a wee place not far from the main 'Sando' street, which only holds about 16 people. But the food is great (Japanese-style 'izakaya' type food, or 'Sets' at Yen 1500 for drink, starter and choice of main meal) and the service from Mama-san and Papa-san is first-rate. He speaks great English too!
• Cafe Le Bon, very close to Narita-san temple. Popular despite relatively late opening hours. It consists of one upper room with a semi circle of hot plates, on which your food is cooked in front of you. The menu consists of one item: an all-you-can-eat meal including a huge drink, roasted vegetables, gyoza, oriental chicken, chips and ice cream, for around ¥1000. Stuffy and hot, but extremely welcoming, friendly, quick, and the food is delicious.
• Grill House Hero's, 845-8 Hanasaki-Cho (walk down the little street to the right of JR Narita station), +81 476 22-9002. Open daily 5PM-0AM. One of the best places to eat Okonomi-yaki style food. Menu is available in English. Food prices range from ¥580(cheese omelette) to ¥1900 (Steak), Drinks are ¥320(softdrinks) and ¥550(Beer).
• Lion's Den Across the street from the Barge. Old airline crew hang out. Local mom and pop restaurant with cheap dining selections.

[edit] Drink

• Barge-Inn, Omote-sandō (the road leading to the temple), [15] Great pub serving western-style food, plus local & international beers. Every Saturday there's live music and/or dancing.
• The JetLag Club, [16]. About 50yds round the corner from the Barge, there's another watering hole run by a Belgian guy named Vince. The beer's great, and the atmosphere is really friendly. Free popcorn is provided, as well as a delivery service from 'Papas'.
• The Truck. You can get a free bus from outside the Barge to the 'Truck' which features more drinking and Karaoke. Apparently, it used to actually be a 'Truck', but now it more of a 'room'! Anyway, great fun once in a while!
• The Cage Out of the main train station, straight through the plaza, right at the AM/PM, down about 100 yards, across the street, 2nd floor. Karaoke bar.

[edit] Sleep

Narita has a large number of hotels in the vicinity and they are often cheaper than hotels in central Tokyo thus it may be worthwhile staying out at the airport on your first/last night. If you want to get a cheap rate, however, do book in advance as rates and availability for walk up customers are highly variable.

[edit] Mid-range

• Comfort Hotel Narita, 968 Hanazaki-cho, Narita (Short walk from Keisei Narita and JR Narita stations), 476-24-6311 (FAX: 476-24-6321), [17]. Check in 3PM, Check out 10 AM. Singles from ¥5800, Twins from ¥6800, Doubles from ¥6500. Free continental breakfast. From Narita Airport, take the Keisei Line Tokkyū train (about 3 departures per hour) to Keisei Narita station. Take the east exit, walk across the overpass, and the hotel will be on the left side. You can catch Skyliner trains from Keisei Narita station to Nippori and Ueno throughout the day, as well as Narita Express trains from nearby JR Narita station to Tokyo station during the morning. Facilities include complimentary broadband Internet as well.
• Mercure Hotel Narita, 818-1 Hanazaki-cho, Narita (Short walk from Keisei Narita and JR Narita stations), 476-23-7000 (FAX: 476-23-3911), [18]. Offers good, reasonably priced accommodation, with friendly staff, happy to speak English. It has a small but good selection of restaurants, and there's also a good bar, with TV, Pool Table, Internet Access etc.
• Center Hotel Narita, 922 Hanazaki-cho, Narita (Short walk from Keisei Narita and JR Narita stations), 476-23-1133 (FAX: 476-23-1134), [19]. Free Continental Breakfast. Non Smoking Room. Stamp Card. VOD service.

[edit] Get out

If you have more than 8 hours to spare, you should seriously consider making the effort to visit Tokyo itself, although with limited time it really is best if you plan where you will go in advance of arriving at the airport.

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