Japan - 10 hours at NRT

I've got a big ole layover on my Osaka - NRT- YVR- YYJ trip on Feb 19th and I'm looking for ideas. I've done this trip a few times but this is my first since discovering flyertalk and all the great ideas on here! I usually just hang out in the A* lounge (can't recall its name) but I'm thinking maybe I should branch out. Lounge hopping? Attempt to get into the city?

What would you do with 10 hours at NRT? Wacky suggestions welcome!

I took the train into Narita town.... looked around the shops and temple, had a nice lunch.... I ran out of things to do after about 4 hours... went back to NRT, checked out the observation deck and mall pre-security, then hung out in a few lounges. 10 hours is enough time to go into Tokyo itself... The Skyliner to Uneo is probably your best bet.

Yea I would go to Tokyo! :)

Train or Friendly (orange) bus to the Shinjuku or Ginza for shopping or Asakusa (Sensoji) temple is nice too.

I usually stop by and get a shower at the ANA arrivals lounge right outside security at arrivals on level one.
Narita town is actually pretty nice... there's old historic part of the town and several huge temples. Great place to spend an afternoon.
Getting into Tokyo will take about an hour using the train so a day trip is doable.

If your first trip to Tokyo I'd skip the city and just visit Narita Town if the weather's good. If you know the city, then you could spend a few hours in one of the districts and get back to the airport in time to sample the noodles at the ANA noodle bar.

Actually, I would have taken the train from Osaka and avoided such a long delay in Tokyo. Last time we were in Japan we overnighted in hiroshima, took the train and flew to YVR on that day.

If your first trip to Tokyo I'd skip the city and just visit Narita Town if the weather's good. If you know the city, then you could spend a few hours in one of the districts and get back to the airport in time to sample the noodles at the ANA noodle bar.

Noodle bar sounds familiar. I'm pretty sure this is the lounge I normally set up shop in. Narita town sounds pretty interesting. Is there an easy train to hop?. I've never been in to Tokyo so it'd probably be a bit much in one go, as you suggest.

While 10 hours is probably enough to get all the way into Tokyo and see a couple things I'd probably go for Narita town and the temple there instead. Way easier and less stressed of a stopover. You can pass a few hours there without too much trouble and still have some time for a shower and lounge hopping.

If you do go into town I'd probably try to catch things winding down at Tsukiji (http://boardingarea.com/blogs/thewanderingaramean/2011/07/the-life-of-a-tuna-at-tokyos-tsukiji-market/) and then over to the Imperial Palace then walk or train to the Shibuya and Harajuku districts (http://boardingarea.com/blogs/thewanderingaramean/2009/03/serenity-and-punk-fun-in-tokyo/) and then back out to the airport.

Noodle bar sounds familiar. I'm pretty sure this is the lounge I normally set up shop in. Narita town sounds pretty interesting. Is there an easy train to hop?. I've never been in to Tokyo so it'd probably be a bit much in one go, as you suggest.

Yes, the train is super easy from the airport to the town. It is just a few minutes on the local line. I think the fare is 150 or 250 yen each way.

Actually, I would have taken the train from Osaka and avoided such a long delay in Tokyo. Last time we were in Japan we overnighted in hiroshima, took the train and flew to YVR on that day.

I'm traveling with a bunch of awkward sporting equipment otherwise I'd totally do this. I kind of love Japan though, so I don't mind hanging around a bit. This Narita town sounds interesting :)

What do you like to do? :)

I, personally, would go to Tokyo and eat! Or just wander around Shibuya, visit some cafes.

If you need any food recommendations let me know -- I just wrapped up 3 months of working in Tokyo (and I made it my mission to find as much good food as possible).

Cheers,

-W

Yes, the train is super easy from the airport to the town. It is just a few minutes on the local line. I think the fare is 150 or 250 yen each way.

It is 250 yen on the Keisei local line... the temple grounds are quite nice...
Narita town is nice, but it really hard to spend more than about 4 hours there.

Personally, I find Narita city pretty boring. But, the OP probably has closer to 6-7 hours after you factor in immigration lines, check-in buffer, etc. Subtract another 2.5 hrs R/T for the NEX and we're into the 3-4 hr timeframe.

If it's your 1st time in TYO, I wouldn't do it. If you've been there many times and know exactly where to go, I'd go for it.

I do love to eat (ESP in Japan). Any recommendations for Narita town?

I can't make any specific recommendations, but there are lots of restaurants on the street that runs from the train station to the temple. There's also a large map just outside the train station so you won't get lost. There's a very nice park just behind the temple if you feel like a peaceful walk.

The train station at the airport is down at one end of the terminal and it's very simple to figure out the system, even if it's your first time. As someone mentioned, the Kensei line is probably best and it's a fairly short ride. You can easily kill 4-5 hours, but there's not much to do after that.

I would so not go to Narita to spend the 10 hours there, especially I love to eat!

My theory is that since there are only so many meals one can eat in his lifetime, I would try to eat the best for every meal. And Tokyo is only 1.5 hours away, I would of course want to train to Tokyo and eat there!

I would fly 14 hours to Tokyo just to spend 2 days there. Of course I would train 1.5 hours to Tokyo just to spend 4 hours!

But this is just my crazy opinion!!

I'm traveling with a bunch of awkward sporting equipment otherwise I'd totally do this. I kind of love Japan though, so I don't mind hanging around a bit. This Narita town sounds interesting :)

Dump your sporting eqpt, at the black cat or one of the other storage places, and if you still have 6 hours after figuring in travel time its still worth heading into town. If not check out Narita. Don't' waste 10 hours at NRT.

Check out Narita airport site. They give suggestions as to what to do with a short and a long layover, includes bus/train info. We were going to go out to Narita as we too had a 10 hr. layover; however, we were flying from MEL where it was very warm. When we landed in Narita it was only 2C so we didn't have the proper clothing on so just hung out in the lounge.

I usually stop by and get a shower at the ANA arrivals lounge right outside security at arrivals on level one.
Narita town is actually pretty nice... there's old historic part of the town and several huge temples. Great place to spend an afternoon.
Getting into Tokyo will take about an hour using the train so a day trip is doable.

Rublefox, where is this Arrivals Lounge and who can access it? We are both Star Gold. This is not the lounge inside the secure Area is it?

Dump your sporting eqpt, at the black cat or one of the other storage places, and if you still have 6 hours after figuring in travel time its still worth heading into town. If not check out Narita. Don't' waste 10 hours at NRT.

It'll be checked at that point. I was responding to another poster's suggestion that I avoid flying into NRT and take the train from Osaka instead. After doing this trip 4 times, I figure it's time to venture out haha!

I'd skip Narita, and head to Tokyo... take the Keisei skyliner to Ueno and just explore that area. Ameyoko (under the tracks at Ueno) has a colorful, lively market atmosphere, Ueno park itself can be nice, and there's just a lot more going on than in Narita. If you're feeling adventurous, Kappabashi, Asakusa and Akihabara are all just a short walk/train ride from Ueno, and each is entirely different and worth a visit.

I would only go to Narita if someone paid me....a lot of money. Take the train to Tokyo. You can either check out slightly more traditional Tokyo by taking the Keisei to Ueno or you can do more modern Japan by taking the Narita Express to Tokyo Station. They'd both be good.

I would only go to Narita if someone paid me....a lot of money.
Did you mean this or did you mean you would only go back to Narita if someone paid you?

Narita isn't a dump or a backwater. The temple and temple grounds are genuinely beautiful and are a legitimate draw for thousands upon thousands of Japanese people in the way a major cathedral might be in the UK or a basilica for pilgrims in Italy.
I wouldn't urge anyone to spend more than 4 or 5 hours there but if you lack the energy to be stuck in trains and stations for 2.5 to 3 hours of your layover and want a completely different vibe to Osaka, then Narita is a perfectly pleasant place for a visit.
There's even a public bath to clean up and relax in. Wish I knew the name of the Izakaya where I had the best oysters I've ever eaten, that was definitely somewhere I'd pay good money to go to again.
(I remember circular rope coiled seat mats visible from the entrance. The sign was in kanji so that's how I'd attempt to find it next time I'm in the area).

Did you mean this or did you mean you would only go back to Narita if someone paid you?


I mean it. It's like flying into EWR and debating whether to spend time in downtown Newark or in Manhattan.

I mean it. It's like flying into EWR and debating whether to spend time in downtown Newark or in Manhattan.
So you've never been?

So you've never been?

Narita often. Newark....only once 40 years ago.

If you're taking the train into Tokyo, doing for the fastest one. Domestic trains can get delayed and take up to 3 hours. I would probably stick around Narita if I only had 10 hours - unless you have something very specific you have in mind for Tokyo?

If you're taking the train into Tokyo, doing for the fastest one. Domestic trains can get delayed and take up to 3 hours. I would probably stick around Narita if I only had 10 hours - unless you have something very specific you have in mind for Tokyo?

Almost never. This is not something you need to worry about unless there is a typhoon or major earthquake.

... debating whether to spend time in downtown Newark or in Manhattan.
Well see, there you go. I will go out of my way and spend extra money just to avoid ever having to go into Manhattan again.

I've had a 3 hour train ride on the local train and there was no natural disaster. Could have been a once in a blue moon situation, but I would still account for it if I was on a tight schedule. KLE = slow ride. NEX is faster and I've never experienced a delay, but apparently I'm the only person that's ever had a KLE delay.

I don't think it's enough time to go to Tokyo safely. Besides, you want more than a few hours in Tokyo anyhow.
Narita is OK and if you've never really explored Japan, it is a good enough first time experience.

There is a temple, Naritasario Shinshou-ji, which is close to the station.

This place looks good and has a nice well-rounded Japanese menu, 1 min from the station
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a627301/lang/en/

Except Temples are boring :-D

I arrive NRT 3p and depart 11a.

I pal to stay at an airport hotel. if I am in the hotel by 5- is it worth going into Tokyo? To the trains back to NRT run all night?

Also I am OW Emerald- can I access the JL or CX lounge before leaving the airport on arrival.

THANKS

I'd say if you have a specific plan in mind, do it. Otherwise, stay in Narita, although at a hotel in the town, not out on the highway by the airport.

You get your taste of Japan, and you can go relax on the lovely temple grounds in the morning before taking the 15-minute train ride to the airport.

Tokyo is huge and confusing. My opinion is that if you make a quick trip with no specific goal in mind, you'll land in Ueno or the Tokyo Station area, look around, think, "Wow, Tokyo sure is huge and confusing," which you already knew.

If you take the Keisei Skyliner and read up on the Ueno area, you might have a better experience than you would if you just randomly ended up there. The Tokyo Station area tends to be Generic International Business Land.

[QUOTE=alhcfp;18029723]... To the trains back to NRT run all night? ... [QUOTE]

No. They shut down fairly early - around 1:00 am. For your hours, I'd just book a room in Tokyo. The Skyliner or Narita Express in the morning can get you back to NRT in time for your 11:00 am flight and you wouldn't have to worry about catching the last train at night.

I arrive NRT 3p and depart 11a.

I pal to stay at an airport hotel. if I am in the hotel by 5- is it worth going into Tokyo? To the trains back to NRT run all night?

Also I am OW Emerald- can I access the JL or CX lounge before leaving the airport on arrival.

THANKS

I'd stay in Tokyo, there really isn't time to get in and back from Tokyo if you stay at Narita because of the trains shutting down. As has been mentioned if you do stay out near the airport stay in Narita, not an airport hotel.

If you're flying a oneworld airline then yes, you can access those lounges, personally I prefer the JAL lounge

As for trains being late, in the past couple of weeks I've had two shinkansens late (and by late I mean more than 30 minutes late) and today the hida wide view 25 minutes late. On a previous trip I've also had a Nex which was hours late. While japanese trains don't run late as a matter of course like in many other countries they seriously struggle to get things back on track when something goes wrong (snow, jumper etc)

(snow, jumper etc)
I clicked on this to ask what you meant as the image of a mangled sweater on the tracks didn't make sense. Then the penny dropped and the sweater in my mind wasn't empty any more :(

If you're flying a oneworld airline then yes, you can access those lounges, personally I prefer the JAL lounge
No, alhcfp asked for lounge access upon arrival. All ow lounges are at airside so no lounge access.

No, alhcfp asked for lounge access upon arrival. All ow lounges are at airside so no lounge access.

Oops, thanks for the correction, I didn't read the 'on arrival' at the end of the sentence.

I've had a 3 hour train ride on the local train and there was no natural disaster. Could have been a once in a blue moon situation, but I would still account for it if I was on a tight schedule. KLE = slow ride. NEX is faster and I've never experienced a delay, but apparently I'm the only person that's ever had a KLE delay.

I've taken Keisei Limited Express many, many times between Ueno and Narita and it's never once been late. Isn't it still the cheapest option at 1,000 yen?

I've taken Keisei Limited Express many, many times between Ueno and Narita and it's never once been late. Isn't it still the cheapest option at 1,000 yen?

If you really want a slow-motion tour of suburban Tokyo, the Keisei Limited Express works fine.

I rode it once when I arrived at Keisei-Ueno during a lull in the Skyliner schedule and didn't want to sit around in that exceptionally uninteresting station for another hour.

It may be an option for a really low-budget traveler, but on the whole, I prefer the Skyliner.

Appreciate the responses. If I arrive at 3P on AA depart 11A on JL, can I check luggage on arrival? I don't want to take train to Tokyo with baggage in tow.

Appreciate the responses. If I arrive at 3P on AA depart 11A on JL, can I check luggage on arrival? I don't want to take train to Tokyo with baggage in tow.

Is it an international to international connection? If so, AA should be able to interline the bags for you. You won't need to re-check them at NRT.

If it's an international arrival and connection to a domestic flight, I'm not sure. Perhaps someone else knows if it's possible to check luggage the day before your flight. If it isn't, you could leave the bag overnight with one of the delivery companies at the airport (for a fee) to avoid having to carry it.

Is it an international to international connection? If so, AA should be able to interline the bags for you. You won't need to re-check them at NRT.

If it's an international arrival and connection to a domestic flight, I'm not sure. Perhaps someone else knows if it's possible to check luggage the day before your flight. If it isn't, you could leave the bag overnight with one of the delivery companies at the airport (for a fee) to avoid having to carry it.

Thanks- makes life easy!!

Do I have to pick up and recheck at NRT, like arriving int; to DFW and taking through customs then hand them off after clearing customs?

Do I have to pick up and recheck at NRT?

Is it an international to international connection?

Quote:
Originally Posted by alhcfp
Do I have to pick up and recheck at NRT?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jib71
Is it an international to international connection?



YES- Intl / Intl

YES- Intl / Intl

If you check the bag all the way through, you won't need to touch it at NRT. Make sure your check-in agent puts a tag to your final destination on the bag.