I've heard it's a great airport. I will have 3 hours to check it out.

But I'm not sure how I will feel after a 11 hour flight. I might not want to run around too much or leave the secure area (if it's a mess to get back in).

Is anything a must see? What would you do?


Some info:

First time in "Japan".
I will be there around 3pm.
My wife loves Sushi.
Shopping would be cool if the prices are decent.
Would like to window shop.





Thanks

 

There is a Japan forum on FT, just scroll down the page from Travel Buzz.

Narita has very interesting shopping and fairly good food. After a long flight you will feel better in you walk around.

 

3 hours will give you just enough time to peruse the shops for some Japanese omiyage, check out the phonebook-sized manga, and grab some udon or sushi. (The yukuta I picked up at the airport a couple of years ago is my favorite travel robe.) There are plenty of high-end shops as well. Don't expect bargain prices on anything, though, because:
1. it's an airport with the typical airport markups, and
2. it's Japan.

 

Travel&Dining: Destination >> The World / Japan

Drop in. Lots of good ideas and suggestions.

To get you started: http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/

JR

 

All the good shopping is landside. Much more interesting goods (lots of products that are sold only in Japan, even for electroncis) and much lower prices than the airside (duty-free) shops. Clearing immigration can take from 15 min to several hours, depends how many other planes arrived just before yours (particularly bad on UA and NW due to their hub timing there). The airside part of NRT airport is actually quite disappointing, most US airports have better airside facilities. But the landside part is great (some of it is aimed at airport workers, not just tourists).

 

Welcome to FT. I'm going to move this thread over to the FT Japan Forum.
Please continue to follow there.
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

 

If you don't have access to a frequent flyer lounge with shower facilities, there is a shower / day room vendor at the airport. 500 yen (or you can pay USD5) will buy you 30 minutes in a shower room which is really nice after a long flight. Then you can go explore the airport!

 

I'm not sure if 3 hours is enough to hop down to Narita City or not. But I did that a few years ago and it was delightful!

You can read all about it here (including all the logistical details):

http://www.nakedsky.org/archives/000046.html

 

I don't think so. He might just have time to pass through C&I, get some money, leave baggage in a locker or at left luggage, catch the train, ride into Narita, catch the train back, collect luggage, get back through security and get to the gate for his flight in 3 hours. That doesn't leave any time to see Narita. Kind of pointless. Narita is a great option for those with 5+ hours, but I really think 3 hours is just not doable. Better to find something interesting or relaxing at NRT.

JR

 

So, do most of you think it's possible to go land-side, visit the shops and spotting areas and get back to the gate in the span of three hours?

 

Only if you plan to take your flight one day late.

 

No, unless you are Pickles cat! Take your time, have a shower in the terminal, find some sushi to eat, get back on your plane!

 

Absolutely possible, easily done (I do it several times a year, but with a 2 hour connection) and well worth doing. You do have to have your connecting BP already, and check the queue at immigration, if it is long just stay airside. Normally you can get landside in 15 min, which leaves an hour+ for visiting the shops at NRT. Do not attempt to leave the airport! There isn't anywhere worth going to in the time that you have; but within the airport building is a small shopping center, with a great selection of shops and restaurants. Too bad that they are outside of security (but that also means they cater to airport employees and not just tourists).

 

I've visited NRT before, both as a connecting and O&D pax. I've used the T1 shower facilities on more than one occasion and spent hours eating and shopping in the secure areas of both T1 and T2. What I have not yet done is spend much time in the land-side areas. I'm not sure it's worth the risk but sometimes I'm just crazy enough to try something like this. Heck, I left the secure area of SFO's international terminal scarcely an hour before departure last week. If I do try this stunt I'll be sure to post about it. I've already scheduled another day off from work just on the off chance I can't make it back in time. I wonder how much a last-minute ticket costs from NRT > USA if I'm late and my carrier doesn't find any humor in my actions. Looks like it's about $2,000. How do you say "Hurry up, my flight is leaving!" in Japanese again?