The Appeals of Narita Airport
Most people headed for Japan or traveling to Tokyo will use Narita Airport. The facility offers various services such as shopping, dining, showers, and a capsule hotel.
Narita Airport Guide
The Fastest Way to Tokyo! Book the Skyliner Narita Airport Express Ticket
Basic Information on Narita Airport
Narita International Airport, the gateway to Japan, opened in 1978. It is one of the most used airports in the world, with approximately 35 million people passing through annually.
While it is located about 70 kilometers from the Tokyo metropolitan area, various transportation systems allow easy access.
Terminals and Airlines
The terminals and airlines are listed below.
Terminal 1 Departure Lobby
The departure lobby in Terminal 1 is on the fourth floor and is divided into the North Wing, South Wing, and Central Building.
The North and South wings contain the airline check-in counters and departure gates, and the fourth and fifth floors of the Central Building house restaurants and shops.
Terminal 2 Departure Lobby
Terminal 2 departure lobby is on the third floor, with restaurants and shops on the fourth floor. The spacious lobby can be seen from the shopping zone. An observation deck on the fourth floor lets visitors view the airplanes taking off or landing.
Terminal 3 Departure Lobby
Terminal 3 re-opened following renovations on April 2022. This occurred in the middle of the pandemic.
The departure and arrival lobbies were removed to shorten the distance between terminals 2 and 3. The boarding process has become fully automated, allowing passengers to check in their luggage.
Terminal 1: Shops and Restaurants
Those looking for a souvenir should head to Tokyo Shokuhin Kan on the fourth floor.
The shops, located in all three terminals, are the perfect spot to purchase gifts.
Traveler's Factory Airport, based in Nakameguro, is on the fourth floor. The shop handles carefully selected stationeries, notebooks, and sundries, which are ideal for recording one's trip. There are items that can only be purchased at Narita Airport, so those interested in stationery should not miss it.
The Museum of Aeronautical Science shop handles plane models, toys, and various aviation-related items. It is a paradise for those who love airplanes.
The food court on the fifth floor serves various Japanese and Western dishes. If your friends can't agree on what to eat, this is the place to go.
Terminal 2: Shops and Restaurants
Chiba-Kun+House handles Chiba products and souvenirs, promoting the prefecture's appeal.
Air BicCamera handles a wide variety of home appliances. Those wishing to purchase a Japanese product before heading home should be able to find one that suits their needs.
BicCamera Discount Coupon (*For International Visitors Only)
Press Butter Sand is a famous confection known for its creamy fragrance. It is made with a specially selected butter, so please give it a try!
Terminal 3: Shops and Restaurants
Lawson is the main store in the shopping zone in Terminal 3. The spacious facility has everything required for your flight home.
The dining zone is located next to Lawson, and the roomy facility has a large number of seats along with various dishes.
Botejyu Yatai, founded in Osaka, serves various Kansai cuisine, such as okonomiyaki, yakisoba, and takoyaki.
Sendai Tan-ya Rikyu serves gyutan (beef tongue) cuisine, a specialty of Sendai. The firm texture and fragrant aroma is sure to boost one's appetite.
Duty-Free Shopping
After completing the carry-on baggage inspection and passport control, you will see duty-free shops come into view.
The most popular shop is Fa-So-La Tax Free Akihabara, which handles Japanese confections and fashion brands. They also sell unique delicacies and electronic appliances, so there is something for everyone.
In August 2023, a second shop selling clothing and outdoor gear opened in Terminal 2.
The writer almost missed his plane due to excessive shopping, so be sure to keep track of time.
Transportation Between Terminals
An access corridor connects Terminals 2 and 3. Since drawings and photographs decorate the corridor wall, many people constantly stop by and take photographs.
Those who wish to go from Terminal 2 or 3 to Terminal 1 should ride the free shuttle bus connecting the buildings. It's easy to spot the bus since it is painted yellow.
Post Office
Those who bought too many souvenirs should head to the post offices located in Terminals 1 and 2, which offer international postal services.
The Terminal 1 post office is located in the dining zone on the fourth floor of the Central Building.
From both wings, the office can be found by the escalator when following the guide signage.
The Terminal 2 post office, located in the arrival lobby on the third floor, is easy to find.
Please note that there is no post office in Terminal 3. The airport website recommends using the office in Terminal 2.
Gachapon Machines
The Japanese gachapon has a rich variety, including popular anime characters, that makes them fashionable to tourists.
The terminals all have their own gachapon machines, so every passenger will be able to enjoy them.
The machines in Terminal 1 are located on the fifth floor shopping zone. You'll also find them near the train stations on the first basement floor.
The machines in Terminal 2 are located on the first-floor basement next to the escalators, making it easy to find.
The machines in Terminal 3 also stand out since they are located next to Lawson in the arrival lobby.
Observation Deck
Observation decks, where visitors can view planes landing and taking off, are located at the end of the fifth floor of Terminal 1 and the end of the fourth floor of Terminal 2.
From April to September, the deck is open from 6:30 to 21:00, and 7:00 to 21:00 from October to March. Please note that it may be closed due to the weather.
Services
In addition to shopping and dining, Narita Airport offers the following services listed below.
Free Wi-Fi and Power Outlets
Free WiFi-Narita is available in all of the terminals and shuttle buses. Activate the Wi-Fi function on your device, look for the signal, and then sign in.
There are free power outlets in various areas of the terminal. This is good news for people who worry about their phones running out of power.
Shower Rooms
There are shower rooms in Terminals 1 and 2. One of them is before the passport control on the second floor of Terminal 1.
Beyond the passport control, showers are located on the third floors of Terminals 1 and 2. The fare is 1,050 yen for the first 30 minutes, which includes amenity items such as towels. Afterward, 530 yen will be added every 15 minutes.
Massage Chairs
Passengers can take a break using massage chairs located in all of the terminals. Most chairs are facing the runway, so users can watch the planes while enjoying the massage.
Capsule Hotel: Nine Hours
There are many travelers who choose an early morning flight to save money. Nine Hours Narita Airport, located on the first basement floor of Terminal 2, is perfect for this kind of situation. This airport hotel is convenient without a doubt.
Book a room at Nine Hours Narita Airport on Booking.com
Access to and from Narita Airport
The following are various routes to access Narita Airport.
Train
The minimum time for Keisei Skyliner, a limited express train, to reach Keisei-Ueno Station from Narita Airport is 36 minutes. There are only reserved seats on this train, so a boarding ticket and Skyliner ticket are required.
Those who wish to save money should take the Keisei Access Express. While it takes an hour from the metropolitan area to the airport, a limited express ticket will not be necessary.
Book the Skyliner Narita Airport Express Ticket
N’EX (Narita Express), operated by JR East, connects Narita Airport to major sightseeing areas such as Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Yokohama. The minimum time from the airport to Tokyo Station is 53 minutes.
Book the Narita Airport Terminal 1 to Tokyo Ticket
Bus
From Narita, travelers can board express buses headed to popular areas such as Shinjuku, Hachioji, and Tokyo Disney Resort.
The ticket booth for buses are located in the arrival lobby. Tickets can either be purchased on-site or reserved online.
3 Places to Visit Near Narita Airport
Since there are many sightseeing spots in the area, it might be fun to book a hotel near the airport a day before leaving for home.
AEON MALL Narita
AEON MALL Narita is a shopping facility offering a shuttle bus service to the airport. There are also buses from JR Narita Station and Keisei Narita Station headed to the mall, so it's worth planning a visit to wrap up the trip.
Shisui Premium Outlets
While Shisui Premium Outlets is the closest outlet mall, it is one of the largest shopping facilities in the Kanto Region. We recommend spending a full day instead of a visit on the way to the airport.
Naritasan Shinshoji Temple
Over 10 million people gather annually at Naritasan Shinshoji, a Buddhist temple with over 1,000 years of history.
The local specialty is unagi (eel), and its aroma fills the temple grounds. If you have the chance to visit Narita, don't miss it!
Search for a Hotel Near Narita Airport at Booking.com
Enjoy Your Time at Narira Airport
Narita Airport, accessed by a multitude of travelers, now offers shopping, dining, and various services.
On your next visit to Tokyo, be sure to arrive early at the airport. You won't miss your plane and get to enjoy the attractive facilities on the premises.
