I've been to Narita 100 times, but never entered Japan.
Oct 19, 2014, 12:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 142
I've been to Narita 100 times, but never entered Japan.
When I connect at Narita next week, it will mark the 100th time time I've
been to Narita. However, I have never been entered Japan(cleared passport
control and physically enter Japan). I don't know why, it just never happened.
All my connections at Narita ranged from as short as 1 hour 10 minutes to
6 hours+. Always just hanging around the airline lounges or the airport shops.
One of these days, I must enter and see what Japan is like.
It should actually be few more than 100 times, but I can only document 99
at this point.(actual boarding passes saved or entries in my Google calendar)
When people ask me if I've been to Japan, I don't really know how to answer
the question.
been to Narita. However, I have never been entered Japan(cleared passport
control and physically enter Japan). I don't know why, it just never happened.
All my connections at Narita ranged from as short as 1 hour 10 minutes to
6 hours+. Always just hanging around the airline lounges or the airport shops.
One of these days, I must enter and see what Japan is like.
It should actually be few more than 100 times, but I can only document 99
at this point.(actual boarding passes saved or entries in my Google calendar)
When people ask me if I've been to Japan, I don't really know how to answer
the question.
Oct 19, 2014, 1:52 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2005
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I agree. Assuming you're not traveling on a passport that makes it difficult to enter the country, you should definitely venture beyond the sterile transit route next time you have more than a couple of hours to spare at the airport.
2-4 Hours - Go visit the landside shops and restaurants at the airport
4-6 Hours - Make a trip to Narita City
6+ Hours - Visit Tokyo
2-4 Hours - Go visit the landside shops and restaurants at the airport
4-6 Hours - Make a trip to Narita City
6+ Hours - Visit Tokyo
Oct 19, 2014, 2:24 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
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As for the rest, it really depends on what passport you travel on. There are a number are on the visa waiver program and do not require a separate visa to enter as a tourist.
If you meet the requirements to enter on a tourist visa, I agree that you really should at least look at the country. Jib71 has listed a few alternatives and I pretty much agree except that I would set the time to go all the way into Tokyo at 7+ hours rather than 6+. Even if you don't, the little town of Narita is a short train ride from NRT and can be very easily visited and enjoyed in only a few hours. Withdraw a few yen from an ATM, go down to the train station in the basement, get a ticket to Narita-shi (Narita town) and catch that train. Just outside the station in Narita is a nice shopping street for strolling, souvenirs and a meal. There is a very nice temple to visit along the same street. With a 4 or 5 hour layover, you could have a nice meal, see "Japan" and bring home some very nice pictures.
Oct 19, 2014, 7:28 pm
#4
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Sounds like me an Detroit. I've been to DTW probably close to 1000 times, but never into the city. But with Detroit, there's an excuse. For Tokyo, you should definitely visit..... great city.
Oct 20, 2014, 5:40 am
#8
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Oct 21, 2014, 9:01 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2006
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There's a number of flight attendants and pilots who have stayed overnight in Narita 500+ times and have never once been into Tokyo itself. They're missing out!
Go to the actual city sometime, it's nice.
Go to the actual city sometime, it's nice.
Last edited by Kaix; Oct 21, 2014 at 9:06 pm Reason: sp
Oct 22, 2014, 6:38 am
#11
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Flight attendants and pilots can be in different situations. First, they are actually working during the flight, once at the destination many of them want to do is rest.
I had a conversation with a flight attendant on AA’s NRT flight once. She said that at her company there is a survey asking flight attendants and pilots regarding lodging at the destinations. She said most of flight attendants and pilots she know prefer hotels right near the airport rather than hotels in the city near the action. After the long flight most flight crews do not want to sit in a bus for an hour and half for a ride into the city.
The flight attendant said that golden age of Pan Am is long gone history, where flight crews enjoyed four days stay at Rome at five star hotels. Today, many airlines have daily flights into NRT, including AA, and their schedule is pretty much arriving at NRT in the afternoon and a flight back on the next day. Pretty much majority of the time is spent on rest for flight crews.
However, at Narita Jet Lag Club Narita is known for the place frequented by flight crews overnighting at Narita. Looks like Jet Lag Club Narita has grown into a business beyond Narita. Another place frequented by flight crews at Narita is The Barge Inn. I read somewhere that both Jet Lag Club Narita and The Barge Inn were founded by an ex-airline employee.
I had a conversation with a flight attendant on AA’s NRT flight once. She said that at her company there is a survey asking flight attendants and pilots regarding lodging at the destinations. She said most of flight attendants and pilots she know prefer hotels right near the airport rather than hotels in the city near the action. After the long flight most flight crews do not want to sit in a bus for an hour and half for a ride into the city.
The flight attendant said that golden age of Pan Am is long gone history, where flight crews enjoyed four days stay at Rome at five star hotels. Today, many airlines have daily flights into NRT, including AA, and their schedule is pretty much arriving at NRT in the afternoon and a flight back on the next day. Pretty much majority of the time is spent on rest for flight crews.
However, at Narita Jet Lag Club Narita is known for the place frequented by flight crews overnighting at Narita. Looks like Jet Lag Club Narita has grown into a business beyond Narita. Another place frequented by flight crews at Narita is The Barge Inn. I read somewhere that both Jet Lag Club Narita and The Barge Inn were founded by an ex-airline employee.
Oct 22, 2014, 9:12 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 142
Flight attendants and pilots can be in different situations. First, they are actually working during the flight, once at the destination many of them want to do is rest.
I had a conversation with a flight attendant on AA’s NRT flight once. She said that at her company there is a survey asking flight attendants and pilots regarding lodging at the destinations. She said most of flight attendants and pilots she know prefer hotels right near the airport rather than hotels in the city near the action. After the long flight most flight crews do not want to sit in a bus for an hour and half for a ride into the city.
The flight attendant said that golden age of Pan Am is long gone history, where flight crews enjoyed four days stay at Rome at five star hotels. Today, many airlines have daily flights into NRT, including AA, and their schedule is pretty much arriving at NRT in the afternoon and a flight back on the next day. Pretty much majority of the time is spent on rest for flight crews.
However, at Narita Jet Lag Club Narita is known for the place frequented by flight crews overnighting at Narita. Looks like Jet Lag Club Narita has grown into a business beyond Narita. Another place frequented by flight crews at Narita is The Barge Inn. I read somewhere that both Jet Lag Club Narita and The Barge Inn were founded by an ex-airline employee.
I had a conversation with a flight attendant on AA’s NRT flight once. She said that at her company there is a survey asking flight attendants and pilots regarding lodging at the destinations. She said most of flight attendants and pilots she know prefer hotels right near the airport rather than hotels in the city near the action. After the long flight most flight crews do not want to sit in a bus for an hour and half for a ride into the city.
The flight attendant said that golden age of Pan Am is long gone history, where flight crews enjoyed four days stay at Rome at five star hotels. Today, many airlines have daily flights into NRT, including AA, and their schedule is pretty much arriving at NRT in the afternoon and a flight back on the next day. Pretty much majority of the time is spent on rest for flight crews.
However, at Narita Jet Lag Club Narita is known for the place frequented by flight crews overnighting at Narita. Looks like Jet Lag Club Narita has grown into a business beyond Narita. Another place frequented by flight crews at Narita is The Barge Inn. I read somewhere that both Jet Lag Club Narita and The Barge Inn were founded by an ex-airline employee.
airlines is planning to become the 3rd person to make unauthorized
(come to think of it, do they even give authorizations at all?) base jump
from Tokyo Skytree.
Oct 26, 2014, 7:43 pm
#13
Moderator, All Nippon Airways and Japan
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I wasn't aware anyone had made a successful (or unsuccessful) BASE jump from there yet.
Oct 26, 2014, 9:47 pm
#14
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Oct 27, 2014, 1:25 am
#15
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