Have a choice arriving in NRT at 14:30 or else 17:30 in July.
Departing again at 22:00. Will have 2 kids (5-7yrs).
Is it better to take the earlier flight and visit the temple and Omotesando street, or take the later flight and just go to the landside mall for a couple of hours.
From what I read, it will take 90mins to get to the temple from landing, which would have me there at 4pm. Is that too late in the day?
No, visiting Narita-san Shinshouji (this is the temple you are referring) at 4 p.m. is not too late. If I were you, my decision will be based on what 5-7 years olds in mood after the flight arrival at NRT.
Visiting the temple will involve some walk. If you take a train from the airport, the temple is about 1 km (0.6 miles) walk from Narita station which is next station of Narita Airport station.
If you decide to take a taxi directly to the temple, then inside ground of the temple will involve about 200 – 400 meters (210 – 430 yards) of walking. If you want to see the entire temple ground then it will be 1200 meters (1300 yards) from the front entrance of the temper to the very back, then walking back same distance.
I do think if your little one will be up to that after the flight arriving at NRT will decide if you want to do visit to the temple.