Roberta Aguirre
Japan is a country with a rich culture and fascinating history. If you're visiting, you'll likely be flying into Narita Airport, the biggest international airport in Japan. Narita Airport is located 1.5 hours away from central Tokyo and offers a range of attractions for visitors. From unique Japanese toilets to traditional handicrafts, there's something for everyone. Outside the airport, you can explore the historic Naritasan Shinshoji temple, stroll through the beautiful Naritasan Park, or take a scenic train ride. If you're heading to Tokyo, you can pick up a Suica or Pasmo card to use on the transport system. So, whether you're a nature enthusiast, history buff, or just looking to relax, Japan has something for you.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airports in Japan | Narita, Haneda, Kansai |
| Transportation options | Bus, train, taxi, private transfer services |
| Visa requirements | Depends on nationality and visa status in the country of residence |
| Currency | Japanese yen |
| Prepaid cards | Suica, PASMO |
| Things to do | Kabuki Experience Gallery & Shop, nail art, Gallery Toto, Narita Sky Lounge Wa, capsule hotel, temple visits, guided tours, airport lounges |
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What You'll Learn
- Explore the airport's local culinary scene, including Japanese specialities like soba and sushi
- Experience Japanese culture at the Kabuki Experience Gallery & Shop, with kabuki-related merchandise and displays of costumes
- Relax in the Narita Sky Lounge Wa, a free lounge with comfy seats, power outlets and reclining sofas
- Visit the nearby Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, a 1,000-year-old temple, and the beautiful Naritasan Park
- Get a Suica or Pasmo card to use on trains, subways, buses and in convenience stores
Explore the airport's local culinary scene, including Japanese specialities like soba and sushi
Japanese airports offer a wide variety of culinary delights, and you'll be spoilt for choice at the country's biggest international airport, Narita Airport. The airport's three terminals have a combined 88 restaurants, cafes, and bars, most of which are washoku-oriented.
One of the best places to try out Japanese food is the Narita Dining Terrace, a new area on the fourth floor of Terminal 1. Here, you'll find six Japanese restaurants specialising in anything from soba and sushi to teishoku (set meals) and dashi-chazuke. If you're after something quick and fresh, you can stand at one of the small sushi bars and order dish by dish, watching as your meal is sliced and prepared in front of you. Soba noodles are a great option, too, especially in the summer when they're served cold (zaru soba), making for a refreshing snack.
If you're after something a little different, Kyoto Katsugyu, also in Terminal 1, is a specialty tonkatsu restaurant that uses high-quality Japanese beef to create its signature fried beef cutlets. The crispy, thinly sliced beef is served with a light, non-greasy coating that perfectly complements the tender, marbled meat. It's delicious when paired with rice.
For those looking for something healthy, WithGreen, a salad bowl specialty restaurant in Terminal 1, offers low-calorie, nutritionally balanced meals. Their bowls feature a variety of high-nutrition ingredients like vegetables, nuts, chicken breast, and brown rice. Vegetarians and health-conscious eaters will love it.
If you're looking for something more interactive, head to the fourth floor of Terminal 2, where you'll find Nailquick. Here, nail artists can transform your nails into tiny works of art, including sushi designs.
Outside of Narita Airport, there are plenty of culinary experiences to be had in Japan. Osaka, for example, is known as a food lover's paradise. Sendai City in the Tohoku region is famous for sasakamaboko, a steamed fish paste. Iwate Prefecture is known for wanko soba, a dish where noodles are served in small bowls that the server will fling at you as you finish each one. Chiba Prefecture, just outside of Tokyo, is known for namerou, a traditional fisherman's dish.
So, whether you're at Narita Airport or exploring Japan, you'll find a plethora of culinary delights, including Japanese specialities like soba and sushi.
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Experience Japanese culture at the Kabuki Experience Gallery & Shop, with kabuki-related merchandise and displays of costumes
Narita Airport offers a unique opportunity to experience Japanese culture, even if you're just passing through. One of the standout features is the Kabuki Experience Gallery & Shop, located in Terminal 1, Central Building, on the 3rd floor. Here, you'll find a celebration of Kabuki, a traditional Japanese dance theatre form.
The gallery showcases stunning displays of kabuki costumes, providing a glimpse into the elaborate and colourful world of this traditional art form. These are not just any costumes, but actual wigs and outfits worn during performances, giving visitors an authentic connection to Japan's cultural heritage.
The shop offers a wide range of kabuki-related merchandise, allowing visitors to take home a piece of this captivating art form. From souvenirs to mementos, the shop caters to those seeking a tangible reminder of their encounter with Kabuki.
Additionally, the Kabuki Face Photo Booth offers an interactive experience. Through a photo app, you can transform yourself into a kabuki actor, complete with traditional kumadori makeup, channelling your inner theatrical superstar. This interactive feature adds a layer of engagement to the cultural experience, making it memorable and entertaining.
The Kabuki Experience Gallery & Shop is open daily from 7:30 am to 8:30 pm, providing ample opportunity for travellers to immerse themselves in Japanese culture, even during a brief airport layover. It is a testament to Japan's ability to showcase its rich traditions in innovative and accessible ways.
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Relax in the Narita Sky Lounge Wa, a free lounge with comfy seats, power outlets and reclining sofas
If you're looking for a place to relax at Narita Airport, the Narita Sky Lounge Wa in Terminal 2 is the perfect spot. This lounge, which opened in 2015, is unique in that it is free to use for all travellers, regardless of their airline or flight status. This makes it an excellent option for those looking to unwind and recharge without breaking the bank.
The Narita Sky Lounge Wa offers a range of amenities designed for comfort and convenience. You'll find plenty of comfy seats, including reclining sofas, perfect for napping or simply kicking back and relaxing. If you need to charge your devices, there are also power outlets available throughout the lounge. The lounge spans an impressive 2200 square meters, providing ample space to stretch your legs and relax before your flight.
The seating options are varied, including semi-private rooms, making it easy to find a quiet spot to unwind or catch up on work. The sofas are designed with Tokyo Nishikawa's air mattress technology, ensuring a soft and comfortable experience. Whether you're looking to take a quick nap, catch up on some reading, or simply enjoy some peace and quiet, the Narita Sky Lounge Wa has you covered.
In addition to the comfortable seating, the lounge also offers a range of other amenities to enhance your experience. You can grab a bite to eat at the nearby cafe or treat yourself to a paid massage at Raffine, taking your relaxation to the next level. If you need a more substantial rest, you can opt for a short stay at 9H, Narita Airport's capsule hotel, which offers hourly rentals and shower facilities for a small fee.
Overall, the Narita Sky Lounge Wa is a traveller's oasis, providing a calm and comfortable space to relax, recharge, and refresh before or after a busy flight. With its convenient location in Terminal 2, comfortable seating, and range of amenities, it's no wonder that this lounge has become a favourite spot for many travellers passing through Narita Airport.
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Visit the nearby Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, a 1,000-year-old temple, and the beautiful Naritasan Park
If you're looking for things to do near Japan's Narita Airport, a visit to the nearby Naritasan Shinshoji Temple and the beautiful Naritasan Park is a great option. Here's what you need to know to make the most of your visit:
About Naritasan Shinshoji Temple
The Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, also known as Naritasan, is a sprawling Buddhist temple complex located in Narita City, just a short distance from Narita International Airport. With over a thousand years of history, the temple is one of the oldest in Japan and offers a captivating glimpse into the country's rich cultural heritage. Founded in 940 AD by Kancho Daisojo, a disciple of the Buddhist monk Kukai, the temple was established to house a statue of Fudo Myoo (Acala), the Unmovable Wisdom King.
The temple's architecture is impressive and striking, with intricate carvings and elaborate decorations. The complex includes the new and former Great Main Halls, known for their scale, as well as a richly decorated three-storied pagoda and the Great Pagoda of Peace. The temple has a unique connection to Kabuki theatre, particularly through the famous actor Ichikawa Danjuro I, which has added to its popularity over the centuries.
Exploring Naritasan Park
Adjacent to the temple is the gorgeous Naritasan Park, covering an area of 165,000 square meters. The park features a paved path that winds through a thickly forested hill, with statues of notable monks lining the way. The path opens up to spacious grounds with a pond at its centre, providing a tranquil and scenic experience. The park is beautiful throughout the year, with seasonal flowers and festivals. Spring brings cherry blossoms and plum trees in full bloom, while autumn showcases a tapestry of golden and crimson colours as the maple leaves change.
Getting There
The temple and park are easily accessible from the airport. You can take a free 2-way shuttle from the airport, which takes about 10 minutes, or use the train to reach JR Narita Station or Keisei Narita Station, which are a short walk from the temple. There are also guided tours available that can adjust their itineraries based on your flight schedule.
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Get a Suica or Pasmo card to use on trains, subways, buses and in convenience stores
Japan's train system can be overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors. One way to make your trip smoother is to get a Suica or Pasmo card. These prepaid IC cards can be used on trains, subways, and buses across Japan, including in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. They can also be used to pay at convenience stores and vending machines, which is handy in a country where cash is often preferred over credit cards.
Suica and Pasmo cards are available at Narita Airport Terminals 1, 2, and 3, and Haneda Airport Terminal 3. You can also buy them at any JR East station with "Suica" written at the top of the ticket vending machine, or at the ticket office. The cards come in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, or 10,000 JPY, with 500 JPY being a refundable deposit. If you're planning to stay in Japan for less than four weeks, you can opt for the Welcome Suica card, which is designed for tourists and comes without a deposit fee. It's also available as an app for iPhones, valid for 180 days.
You can recharge your Suica or Pasmo card at ticket machines, special recharging machines, stations of companies other than the issuing company, and at many convenience stores. The maximum amount that can be charged onto a card is 20,000 JPY. To check your balance, simply pass through a ticket gate or make a payment at a store; the current credit balance will be displayed. You can also check your balance and usage history at ticket machines.
Suica and Pasmo cards make travelling in Japan more convenient and offer a small discount on each ride. They save you the hassle of handling tickets or cash and are widely accepted across the country.
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Frequently asked questions
If you're at Narita Airport, you can visit the Kabuki Experience Gallery & Shop, where you can see costumes and wigs used in performances and even get your face painted in the traditional kumadori fashion. You can also visit the Narita Sky Lounge Wa in Terminal 2, which offers free access to comfortable seats, power outlets, and reclining sofas. If you're at Haneda Airport, Tokyo Travel Assist offers a Haneda Layover Tour.
If you're at Narita Airport, you can visit the nearby Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, which has over 1,000 years of history, and the beautiful Naritasan Park, where you can enjoy seasonal flowers and festivals. You can also take a walk down Omotesando Street or visit the lively Narita Market. If you're at Haneda Airport, you can take a short layover tour of the airport or explore downtown Tokyo, which is just 20 kilometers away.
It is important to clear immigration and customs, which can be expedited by having all your documents ready and completing any required procedures, such as the \"Fast Track\" process, before arriving in Japan. You should also consider exchanging currency, arranging transportation to your destination, and getting internet access.
Depending on your destination, you may have options such as buses, trains, taxis, or private transfer services. If you're travelling from Narita or Haneda Airport to central Tokyo, popular choices include the Airport Limousine Bus and the Narita Express Train.
