Exploring Tokyo Airport And Its Surroundings

what to do around tokyo airport

Tokyo's airports offer a wide range of attractions and activities for visitors. Narita Airport, located 1.5 hours from central Tokyo, provides a variety of shopping and dining options, cultural experiences, and art exhibitions. Haneda Airport, also known as Tokyo International Airport, features shops, restaurants, and unique activities like latte art vending machines and toy stores. For those with longer layovers, exploring central Tokyo or visiting nearby attractions like Naritasan Shinshoji temple and Naritasan Park is feasible. With efficient transport options and a range of entertainment, Tokyo's airports offer something for everyone, ensuring that time spent waiting for flights is never dull.

Things to do around Tokyo's airports

Characteristics Values
Narita Airport Japan's biggest international airport
Narita Airport location 1.5 hours away from central Tokyo
Narita Airport attractions Narita Concierge app, 88 restaurants, cafes and bars, capsule hotel, observation deck, Kabuki Gate gallery and shop, art, events showcasing Japanese culture
Narita area attractions Naritasan Shinshoji temple, Naritasan Park, Omotesando street
Haneda Airport attractions Vending machines, shops, dining spots, bar, children's play area, pet hotel, memorial stamp, observation deck
Haneda Airport location See Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Bay area, Disneyland, Makuhari, Boso Peninsula from the observation deck

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Eat at one of the 88 restaurants, cafes and bars across the airport's three terminals

Tokyo's Narita Airport has a total of 88 restaurants, cafes, and bars across its three terminals, so you'll have plenty of options to choose from if you're looking to grab a bite to eat. Most of these dining options are washoku-oriented, meaning they specialise in traditional Japanese cuisine.

If you're in Terminal 1, head to the fourth floor to find the Narita Dining Terrace, a new area that opened in late 2016. Here, you'll find six Japanese restaurants serving everything from soba and sushi to teishoku (set meals) and dashi-chazuke. All of these restaurants are open from 8 am to 8 pm, making it convenient for most flight times.

Terminal 2 is home to the new Japan Food Hall, which offers a more relaxed dining experience compared to typical airport food courts. This dining facility hosts ten outposts of popular restaurants from across Japan, so you can indulge in a swift yet sumptuous meal. Check out Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu, a popular chain restaurant specialising in gyukatsu (breaded and deep-fried beef cutlets), or Sushi Kyotatsu, known for its premium bluefin tuna. If you're craving something more familiar, McDonald's also has a branch in Terminal 2, offering seasonal and Japan-exclusive menu items.

For those flying to or from Terminal 3, Tatsu Sushi, a standing sushi bar, is a great choice. Watch the sushi being prepared in front of you, and if sushi isn't your thing, they also offer halal and vegetarian options. Terminal 3 is also home to Ittenmon, a renowned ramen shop from Hakata, serving ramen in a rich tonkotsu broth crafted with Rishiri kelp and a unique preparation method.

In addition to these options, you can also find vending machines throughout the airport offering a variety of interesting options, from dashi (Japanese soup base) to smoked squid and even hot ramen from the Yo-Kai Express ramen vending machines.

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Shop for souvenirs, books, traditional handicrafts and jewellery

Tokyo is a great place to shop for souvenirs, books, traditional handicrafts and jewellery. If you're looking to buy souvenirs, head to the Fa-So-La Shops at Narita Airport, which offer a wide range of Japanese goods and limited-edition products exclusive to the airport. You can also find edible souvenirs, such as Tokyo's famous confectionery brand, Tokyo Banana World, which offers treats like Matcha Cake, a collaboration with the long-established Kyoto teahouse, IItohkyuemon. For a more general selection of souvenirs, the airport's Shopping Zone has a variety of tax-free shops selling sweets and treats from across Japan, including Hokkaido's Shiroi Koibito cookies and Kyoto's yatsuhashi.

For books, there are several great options in Tokyo. Kinokuniya, one of Japan's biggest and most-loved book chains, has a large selection of English titles, magazines and newspapers. It is located near the Shinjuku Station's East Exit and the Takashimaya department store. Another great option is Maruzen, which has branches across the city, including one near Tokyo Station within the Marunouchi Oazo shopping and restaurant complex. Maruzen offers a wide range of English-language books, foreign language books, newspapers, magazines, journals and stationery. If you're looking for a more specialised bookshop, try Infinity Books in Asakusa, which can be reached via the Ginza or Asakusa Line.

When it comes to traditional handicrafts, the Japan Folk Crafts Museum (Nihon Mingei-kan) in Komaba is a great place to start. This enchanting museum displays folk crafts from all over Japan and has a spacious store specialising in local handicrafts, including pottery and glassware. The Traditional Craft Center in Aoyama is another excellent option, offering a range of Japanese crafts such as pottery, lacquerware and carving knives.

Lastly, for jewellery, Tokyo has numerous popular stores offering a wide range of options. TORQUE Shinjuku LUMINE EST Store is a specialist watch shop that carries renowned Japanese brands like SEIKO, CITIZEN and CASIO, as well as trendy brands such as KLASSE14 and Skagen. TiCTAC Ikebukuro PARCO Store is another specialist watch shop with a similar selection of brands and the added bonus of duty-free shopping. These stores are easily accessible from Shinjuku Station and Shibuya Station, respectively.

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Experience Japanese culture through cherry blossoms, origami and kimono

Tokyo is a city rich in cultural experiences, and you can easily explore Japanese culture through cherry blossoms, origami, and kimono.

Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossom, or sakura, season in Tokyo is a magical experience. From late March to early April, thousands of trees burst into bloom, covering the city in stunning shades of pink. The flowers are a national obsession, and people flock to parks to hold hanami parties and picnics to celebrate the coming of spring. The Nakameguro Cherry Blossom Festival, for example, sees its usually quiet canal come to life with lanterns, food stalls, and around 800 trees lining a 3.8-km stretch, forming a pale pink arch over the river. The Koganei Cherry Blossom Festival, meanwhile, takes place in Koganei Park, home to more than 1,400 cherry trees of around 50 different varieties. Here, you can also experience a tea ceremony and flower arrangement.

Origami

Origami is an intricate art form that has become popular in the West, too. The word comes from the Japanese words 'ori', meaning 'to fold', and 'kami', meaning 'paper'. You can buy origami paper at Daiso on Takeshita Street in Harajuku, a three-storey shop with floor guides in English. If you're heading to Narita International Airport, the Nippon Origami Museum displays 400 origami pieces, from traditional cranes to tiny sculptures viewed under a microscope. There is also a flower display, an origami amusement park, and how-to videos and books.

Kimono

Kimono-wearing is a centuries-old Japanese tradition that you can experience in Tokyo. At Asakusa Kimono & Yukata Rental at Kimono Miyabi Asakusa, you can rent a kimono and explore nearby sights such as the Sensoji Kaminarimon Gate and Nitenmon Gate. You can also experience kimono-wearing, as well as a tea ceremony, at the MAIKOYA tea house.

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View the art, including Japanese paintings and digital signs

Art enthusiasts travelling through Tokyo's Narita Airport will be pleased to know that there is plenty to see and do in the airport itself, as well as in the surrounding areas.

For those who don't want to venture too far, the airport's three terminals offer a range of shops and restaurants. On the fourth floor of Terminal 1, the Narita Dining Terrace plays host to six Japanese restaurants, specialising in soba, sushi, teishoku and dashi-chazuke. Standing sushi bar Tatsu Sushi in Terminal 3 is another option for those looking for a bite to eat.

If you're looking for gifts to bring home, the airport's tax-free shops sell sweets from across Japan, including Hokkaido's Shiroi Koibito cookies, Kyoto's yatsuhashi, and Tokyo Bananas. You can also try your luck at one of the 'Gacha' machines in the basement of Terminal 2, which dispense toys in capsules for ¥100-¥500.

For art and culture, head to the observation deck to see planes flying in and out. The Kabuki Gate is another airport attraction, offering a gallery and shop where you can experience Kabuki, a traditional Japanese dance theatre.

Just a 3-minute walk from Shibayama-Chiyoda Station, you'll find Sora no Yu, a natural onsen hot spring facility. This is a great place to relax and experience Japanese bathing culture, with the added benefit of being tattoo-friendly.

For those willing to venture a little further, the city of Narita has its own charms, including the famous Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, known for its grilled eel dish, and the bustling shopping street of Naritasan Omotesando.

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Relax in a capsule at 9H, Narita Airport's capsule hotel

If you're looking for a place to relax and unwind near Tokyo's Narita Airport, 9H Narita Airport's capsule hotel offers a unique and convenient option. Here are some details to help you make the most of your time there:

Location and Amenities

9H Narita Airport, also known as "nine hours Narita Airport," is strategically located for travellers. It's just a 5-minute walk from the Observation Deck at Narita Airport Terminal 2 and approximately 1.4 km from Terminal 1's 5F Observation Deck. The hotel offers a smoke-free environment and provides Wi-Fi in public areas. Certain rooms have shared bathrooms, and you can also opt to use just the shower facilities.

Convenience and Accessibility

The capsule hotel is ideal for travellers with various needs. Whether you need a quick nap during a long layover or a place to stay before an early morning flight, 9H has you covered. The hotel offers capsule rentals by the hour and provides the convenience of a 24-hour reception and check-in.

Nearby Attractions

If you have some time to explore the area, there are a few nearby attractions worth considering. Sakura no yama Park, a great spot to immerse yourself in nature, is just a 10-minute drive from the hotel. The Museum of Aeronautical Science is also about a 10-minute drive away, offering a culturally enriching experience. For a quick walk, the Glass Tower and the Magokoro Statue are both within a 5-minute walking distance.

Dining and Shopping

When it comes to dining, Narita Airport itself offers a wide range of options across its three terminals. You can find everything from traditional Japanese cuisine to standing sushi bars and halal or vegetarian choices. As for shopping, the airport's tax-free shops are perfect for picking up unique souvenirs, like Kyoto's yatsuhashi or Tokyo Bananas. If you're looking for last-minute gifts or snacks, the vending machines at the airport and throughout Japan offer a variety of interesting options, from latte art coffee to smoked squid and even instant prepaid SIM cards.

Frequently asked questions

Haneda Airport, also known as Tokyo International Airport, has plenty of shops, restaurants, and activities to keep you entertained. You can try the local cuisine, visit the observation deck, or enjoy the beautiful night view of the runway and Tokyo Bay. If you're travelling with kids, there's a play area for them to enjoy. You can also check out the unique vending machines, which sell everything from dashi to smoked squid, and even prepaid SIM cards.

Narita Airport has its own capsule hotel, 9H, which rents out capsules by the hour and also offers shower use for ¥1,000 per hour.

The Narita Dining Terrace, located on the fourth floor of Terminal 1, features six Japanese restaurants serving a range of dishes, including soba, sushi, and teishoku. Terminal 3 also has a standing sushi bar called Tatsu Sushi.

Narita Airport is located about 1.5 hours away from central Tokyo, but there are plenty of things to do nearby. You can visit the Naritasan Shinshoji temple, which has over 1,000 years of history, and the beautiful Naritasan Park, where you can enjoy seasonal flowers, especially during spring and autumn.

Yes, Narita Airport offers various cultural experiences for visitors, including events centred around cherry blossoms, origami, and kimono. You can also explore Japanese art, including paintings and digital displays, and visit the Kabuki Gate, a gallery and shop dedicated to Kabuki, a traditional Japanese dance theatre.

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