pushthelimit

Thanks for all the tips. As a first timer in Japan, would you guys recommend staying around NRT or HND?

CPH-Flyer

Haneda has nothing to offer, except taking a hotel room for the day. There are some options in Narita, the city Narita that is. And it is often recommended for people with a few hours to kill in between Narita flights. I have never been, so I don't know how much there really is to see...
The Tokyo station based sightseeing is good for a first timer, just prepare a bit in advance. The gardens by the Imperial Palace is close by (closed Mondays), Ginza, Takashimaya department store, Marunouchi, some good options to experience a bit of Tokyo.

evergrn

If you want to spend your time mainly around Tokyo Station area (eg, Imperial Palace, Ginza, Tokyo Sta itself), then store your stuff at Tokyo Station. NRT Express will take you straight to NRT from there.

If you want to spend your day in Ueno and Asakusa, then store your stuff at Ueno Station or Keisei Ueno Station. Skyliner will take you straight to NRT from Keisei Ueno.

Personally, I think Ueno/Asakusa would be more interesting to the first-time visitor. You can throw Tokyo Sky Tree into the mix, also.

Outside of that, Shinagawa might be the easiest place for you to store bags. Reason is that it's a one-shot direct train ride from HND terminal to Shinagawa (no transfers needed) and NRT Express also departs from there for NRT to boot. Plus, Shinagawa Sta is far less complicated than Tokyo Sta. Throw your stuff in a Shinagawa Sta locker, then you can head up to Shibuya, Harajuku/Omotesando, Shinjuku, etc.

pushthelimit

I think it might be useful to mention some more details about me:

25 years old male
I don't speak ANY Japanese
Will be by myself for my time in Japan.

How do the storage lockers work? Is there a size limit I should be aware of?

evergrn

As far as locker sizes go, see here:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2274.html

Large lockers can be hard to come by, depending on the station and the day. Small ones tend to be a lot more readily available, although I've run into situations where there was literally no lockers free (of any size) at Tokyo Station. Tokyo Station also has a manned counter (cloak) where they'll keep your bags, but it may not be open at the early hour that I presume you'll arrive in Tokyo. Anyways, I'd think you shouldn't have any problems finding available medium-sized lockers at Shinagawa, Ueno or even Tokyo Station on an average weekday morning. Somebody here mentioned in the past that upscale hotels in Tokyo will agree to keep your luggage, even if you're not staying there. I've never tried this. But in the worst-case scenario where you can't find any suitable lockers, maybe you can try it (try Strings Intercontinental in the case of Shinagawa).

25yo male visiting Tokyo for the first time... well, why don't you look up Ueno (inc Ameyokocho and Ueno Park), Asakusa, Tokyo Sky Tree, Imperial Palace, Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku and then decide what would interest you the most? I'd probably do one of the two options: Ueno/Asakusa/SkyTree or Shibuya/Harajuku/Omotesando. You'll probably have ~9hr in Tokyo, although keep in mind that a lot of stores, restaurants and even cafes open later than in the States. Sky Tree does open fairly early like 8am, though.

bestdent

I am flying from Beijing to Tokyo and landing at HND at 12:45. I need to get to NRT for a flight that leaves at 5:20. Is this safe to do?

obscure2k

Welcome to Flyertalk bestdent. I am moving your thread to the Japan Forum for discussion.
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Obscure2k
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ksandness

There used to be a whole thread about this, but essentially, yes.

There is a bus connecting the two airports. but if you are landing at 12:45, you may not be able to make the 1:10PM bus and would have to wait till 2:20, which would get you into Narita Airport at 16:20, according to the schedule. This is doable for a 17:20 flight, especially if you go straight to your gate. Japanese security procedures are quick and efficient.

It may be easier (and less dependent on traffic) to take a cab to Shinagawa Station and hop aboard the 13:50 or 14:20 Narita Express, which will get you there at either 15:00 or 15:27. This will give you a chance to poke around in the shops for some souvenirs, if you wish.

In your case, don't worry too much about language. Shinagawa (Shee-na-ga-wa) Station is a routine destination for cab drivers who serve Haneda, the people at the ticket office will understand "Narita Express," especially if you write down your desired time military style (24-hour clock).

The cabs are pricey, about ¥4500, but if you don't mind taking the train to Shinagawa (it's a different ticket, because that train and the Narita Express are operated by different companies) will cost maybe ¥600.

There are other, more complicated routes, but these two are the easiest.

closetasfan

there seems to be a direct train from Haneda to Narita at 13:45 arriving 15:17.

Departing at13:45

Keikyu-Airport Line(Airport Limited Express) 5 m
Keikyu Kamata


Keikyu Line(Airport Limited Express) 9 m
Sengakuji


Toei-Asakusa Line(Airport Limited Express) 20 m
Oshiage


Keisei-Oshiage Line(Access Express) 6 m
Aoto


Keisei Line(Access Express) 2 m
Keisei Takasago

△Arriving at15:17
Keisei-Narita Sky Access Line(Access Express) 45 m 1,760 Yen (IC Fare 1,746 Yen)
Narita Airport

There are a lot of variations from Haneda to Narita, only a few that have no transfers. Give this site a shot, and if that doesn't work, look on the websites of Keikyu (Haneda) or Keisei (Narita). They have trains that go interline from Keikyu to Keisei from Haneda to Narita.

joejones

Note that the direct train is a commuter train -- it makes many stops en route and there isn't much space for luggage.

nishimark

I'm not a HND to NRT expert. However, it appears that there are more frequent departures from HND Terminals 1 and 2 as compared to the International terminal. Couldn't the OP take a shuttle to one of those Terminals from International and then catch the bus to NRT? The bus is by far the most convenient.

On this page, click on the various Terminal departure points and noticed the differences in frequency.
https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/bu...ta/haneda.html

evergrn

Good point. The OP could do that, although I don't have much experience myself with inter-terminal bus transfers at HND either.
Other options:
- 13.45p Keikyu train which is a direct Access line service to NRT (arrives 15.17p)... I would do consider this if you're traveling light.
- 14.40p Limo Bus noted by ksandness (arrives NRT at 16.10 or 16.15p depending on your terminal). 95% chance this will arrive either early or on time, so I think you'd be safe and could consider this esp if you've got lots of bags and your flights are on the same booking.

nishimark

Actually, I just remembered that we used the inter-terminal bus to move from domestic to international terminal this past summer. It was just like the one in NRT, about a 5 minute easy bus ride.

OP, I'd strongly consider this option. After exiting the international terminal at HND, there will be several bus stops directly outside the building. One of those will be for shuttle buses that come probably every 10 minutes or so to connect you to domestic terminals 1 and 2. The buses look like a city bus, but have some space for luggage on the floor. Get off at the domestic side and then look for a sign for the bus to NRT. As noted in my post above, check the link for departure times.

Kannai

Definitely transfer to the other terminal and take the direct bus between HND and NRT. It will be super convenient. And it's a very normal thing to do. As long as you speak clearly (not super fast, not blurring all your words together), someone at the info counter will be able to direct you. Most people who work at the airport speak at least a little English, even the folks loading luggage onto the buses.

Retina

Hey all, quick question.

I have a 90 minute INT-INT connection at Haneda.

UA875 from SFO, seems to regularly get in at Gate 148, scheduled 22:35.
NH843 out to SIN, not sure what gate it leaves from, scheduled 00:05.

It was legal enough to be booked on a single ticket (codeshare), but is it safe? Any tips/tricks I should know for getting through transfer re-screening? (My checked luggage will stay checked-through, right?)

Thanks!