I have never been to Japan but will be stopping over at Tokyo's Narita airport for 3 hours and 45 minutes on the way back from Bangkok. The layover is during the afternoon so I though I might rush a couple of hours of touring before I have to check in for the next flight.

I understand there is a city called Narita Japan a few miles from the airport where I could go and see a typical Japanese town for an hour or so.

I looked at the Narita web page and it said that they discourged people leaving the international terminal area if they had a connecting international flight but it could be done with a visitors pass.

Has anyone done this? If so:

What train did they take to the city of Narita? Are there signs in English? Was it a hassle getting through passport control as a transit passenger? Did you have to pay a departure fee because you left the secure arrivals area? What train should I take? What will happen if I miss my connection to the USA, huge fine? Am I crazy or should I be a good boy and sit at the gate for 4 hours waiting for the next plane to Chicago like everyone else? Thanks.

I've been to Tokyo many times, last trip a few weeks ago. Several time's I've had stops like yours - short, under 5 hours.

First thought - I would not leave the airport- number of reasons:
1. going through customs
2. coming back through security
3. I believe you may have to pay the airport tax (as your ticket was not a stop over - but transit - however they used to offer a coupon to exit and return the same day - no charge - it's finding the right person to ask that's the problem)
Having said all that -
You didn't mention the airline your traveling - taking a guess with an arrival to chicago - it's UA.
UA arrives and departs from T2 (I beleive I may have these reversed). If that is the case - make your way to the new T1 terminal (although they tend to call everything 'New' there - the renovation at the UA terminal is later then the "new' main terminal").
The main terminal has everything, shops, resturants, exhibits...it's almost a small city and you'll get a taste of Japan.

I'm sure others will be far more specific.

One more observation - NRT has always had excellent security - now it's even tighter - and can take time - don't be in a rush.


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Askworldtraveler, EXP,4 million AA miles+++Hilton Gold (thanks to EXP)

3 hours and 45 min? I would say - you won't have enough time to get out and back into the airport. The airport is located in the middle of nowhere (even though they call it Tokyo New International Airport). The best bet is to stick around the airport terminals.

3 hours 45 minutes is plenty of time to get into Narita Town and walk around a bit, EXCEPT, I don't know what effect 9/11 has had on getting back into the airport. I did this about a year ago. Read the first part of this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/pasttalk/ftpasttalk_forum/Forum81/HTML/001266.html

For things to do at Narita-town, go to the Narita Layover page:
http://net.saipan.com/personal/mike_newman/narita/narita.html#do

Feel free to email me with questions.
Ed

Easy!

I did a SIN run thru NRT in Nov, and each way I visited Narita City. I think my stops were scheduled to be 3-1/2 hours (in the afternoon), but both flights into NRT arrived early. Plenty of time to visit Narita City and I think well worth it (that's why I did it twice).

One time I had 4-1/2 hours. I took the Keisei Line train 2 stops (10 min), walked for an hour around a great temple and garden, had lunch and got back to NRT with time to spare.

After cruising thu customs (with carryon only), go upstairs? to Tourist information and ask for their excellent hand out on visiting Narita City, and change some money.

No departure tax, no hassle. Security was very thorough, but quick-maybe 10 min. Have fun, and dress warm.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by DBoy:
One time I had 4-1/2 hours. I took the Keisei Line train 2 stops (10 min), walked for an hour around a great temple and garden, had lunch and got back to NRT with time to spare.

After cruising thu customs (with carryon only), go upstairs? to Tourist information and ask for their excellent hand out on visiting Narita City, and change some money.

No departure tax, no hassle. Security was very thorough, but quick-maybe 10 min. Have fun, and dress warm.</font>

I made the exact trip just this month! Once you get through customs and immigration, they have a little shop where you can leave your carry-on, for as small fee ($2?). Word of caution, however. When you get to Narita City, go up the stairs and check on the time for the train returning to the airport. I was under the impression that the train left every 15 minutes but it was closer to every hour. Long story short. I made it back to the airport 15 minutes before my flight to ICN, picked up my carry-on, went through immigration, went through security, ran to my gate and made it! My traveling companion did not. Survivial of the fittest, I guess.



[This message has been edited by SGT Clair (edited 12-28-2001).]

Thanks for the responses so far. I have two additional questions about getting back to the gate after my tour of Narita:

One: If we miss the flight going on to Chicago (on United) what then? Will we face a huge fine to be rebooked, or might we have to wait for days in an expensive Toyko hotel until there is a seat in our fare class available? We are on super economy tickets.

Two: How do we get away from paying for the departure tax. I suspect to get past a certain point in the terminal going through passport control, etc., there will be a line asking for $ for the departure tax. If I would have stayed in the secure area, that line would not be an issue.

Three: When leaving terminal one on my way to tour the area I will have to go through passport lines and show a immagration card. Will the person reviewing my passport ask why I am leaving the airport area for such a short period of time, will they let me out of the terminal?