Please note that this section describing Narita Airport mainly addresses the concerns of JAL flyers visiting Terminal 2.

Q28. What terminal does JAL use at Narita (NRT)?

A28. Terminal 2. All oneworld carriers, except British Airways, are now located in Terminal 2.

Q29. Where are the JAL lounges located at Narita?

A29. There are lounges located in the departure area in the main gate section, in the satellite gate section (after taking the shuttle train), and in the domestic flight departure gate area (Sakura lounge only). There are two lounge types: Sakura Lounge (for elites and regular business class passengers) and JGC/First Lounge (for JGC, JGC Premier, and first class passengers). There is a separate first class section inside the JGC/First lounge. JGC, JGC Premier, and first class passengers may use the Sakura Lounge if they wish.

Q30. Are there showers available at Narita?

A30. Yes. In Terminal 2, there are airside showers in the main building, 3F (departure gate floor). There are also landside showers on B1F (Keisei and JR train station level). These showers are available at no charge to JAL first class, JGC, and JGC Premier passengers. Otherwise, there's a modest 500 yen fee. Visit Narita Airport's Web site for a map.

Also, there are 5 shower suites in the American Airlines AAdmirals Club, located airside in Terminal 2. If you don't have AAdmirals Club access, check with the AAdmirals Club front desk to see if a shower is immediately available. If so, you can buy a $50 day pass on the spot. (JMB elites who are oneworld Sapphire level or better and who are departing on any oneworld carrier may enter the AAdmirals Club on the day of flight.)

Q31. Is there priority baggage handling at Narita?

A31. Yes. First class (and JMB elite equivalent) checked baggage will arrive first on the baggage carousel, followed by business class (and elite equivalent) baggage, followed by everyone else's baggage.

Q32. Does Narita have luggage carts available?

A32. Yes, they are available upon arrival, near the baggage carousels. There is no charge, and you may use them on elevators and out to the curb for vehicle pick up.

Q33. What are the best ways to get to/from the airport?

A33. Train or bus. Taxis are expensive (about $200 one way) and are not recommended. JR East's Narita Express and the Keisei Skyliner (and slower local services on the same routes) are the two rail lines that connect Narita with Tokyo. A Keisei non-Skyliner train is the budget choice, priced at 1,000 yen each way.

Narita Express and Skyliner are reserved seating trains, and both take just under one hour to reach Tokyo (Tokyo Station and Keisei-Ueno Station, respectively). Both have convenient connections to the Tokyo Metro. You can book a Narita Express ticket through JAL in advance if you wish, although it is not necessary.

If you have a moderate or substantial amount of luggage, or you prefer more door-to-door service (especially to major hotels), then the Friendly Airport Limousine bus service is ideal. This express bus service runs frequently and is fast and efficient.

Q34. How early should I arrive for check in?

A34. If arriving by train, 75 minutes should be quite sufficient. Bus is slightly less predictable due to possible traffic, so allow about 85 minutes.

Q35. Does JAL have electronic kiosk check in?

A35. Yes, and you will receive 100 JMB bonus miles if you use a kiosk. JAL staff may wave you off the kiosks, but you can insist on using one if you have an electronic ticket, a machine-readable passport, and a JMB card.

Q36. Is there an elite security line at Narita?

A36. Yes, for higher tier JMB elites (Sapphire and above). The main security entrance nearest JAL's counters is the South Entrance. Do not go through the front (center) line but instead walk around to the left side. This doorway is somewhat hidden, but look for one or two greeters at the doorway who will check your boarding pass. The first class check in counter has walking maps available to direct you to the elite security line if you're unfamiliar.

In practice Narita's security lines rarely have delays, except perhaps if you're behind a large tour group all clearing security at the same time.

Q37. Is there a post office at Narita?

A37. Yes, near JAL's check in counters on the departure level. Ask any JAL or airport employee if you don't spot it. The post office has extended hours (by Japanese standards), although at any hour you can mail a stamped envelope or postcard in the mailbox.

JAL offers free postcards aboard most international flights and can mail them for you to domestic Japanese addresses upon arrival. Ask a flight attendant for details. (The postcards have pictures of JAL aircraft and are good advertisements, hence the free service.)

Bear in mind that Japanese postage rates are among the highest in the world, although the standard of service is also high.

Q38. Is there duty free shopping at Narita?

A38. Of course! Show your JMB elite card: you may get a small discount. JAL also has onboard duty free shopping.

Q39. Is there wireless Internet at Narita?

A39. Yes, although there is a fee to use it. JAL's lounges do not have separate wireless Internet, but there may be some desks with ethernet connections, and the front desk offers a complimentary wireless access code if you ask. The lounges also offer complimentary local telephone calls (including Tokyo), so if you have a modem and an Internet provider with a local dial-up number you can connect that way.

Q40. Can I arrive at Narita then connect to a Japanese domestic flight leaving from Haneda Airport?

A40. You can, but there is a substantial transit time between airports. Check the train or bus schedules and allow sufficient time. (Bus is probably the better choice.) You may also wish to investigate Shinkansen (bullet train) connections to your final destination via the Narita Express train to Tokyo Station in lieu of domestic airline connections.

Q41. I have some hours to kill at Narita. Is there anything to do?

A41. Yes, absolutely. First, check with JAL to see if your ticket includes a complimentary hotel room near Narita for a short term stay as part of your flight connection. (Some do, especially in business class and first class. And higher level elites receive complimentary hotel stay coupons each year.) Otherwise, you may wish to reserve a Narita-area hotel room anyway, or even spend some time in Tokyo proper.

For a shorter stay you should probably check your luggage through to your final destination (or re-check your luggage if necessary) so you don't have to carry it. You can also store your luggage at the airport with one of the convenient baggage holding companies, located in the arrival hall after you exit customs inspection. (Flash your JMB card. You may get a few miles for buying this service.) You can visit the Refresh Room to take a shower. You can also take the Keisei or JR East train to Narita station and spend some time visiting that small city.

Q42. Where do I get yen at Narita?

A42. The best way for most travelers is to use an ATM card and withdraw yen from your home bank account. After you exit customs inspection look for the Citibank or Post Office ATMs in the arrival hall. Both accept foreign ATM cards. There is generally no extra fee for withdrawing yen from a checking or savings account, but the same is not true for credit cards. Check with your home bank for details.

Otherwise, there are foreign currency exchange windows in the arrivals hall.

Friendly Limousine bus, Narita Express, and Keisei Skyliner counters all accept credit cards, and there is no tipping in Japan, so you do not necessarily need yen right away when you arrive. However, most travelers should probably obtain yen at the airport. Japan is still mainly a cash society.

Q43. I didn't receive a customs form from JAL before I landed at Narita. Where are they?

A43. You don't need one unless you have something to declare. If you do, you can obtain a customs form in the baggage claim hall, just before passing through customs.

Q44. What's this yellow quarantine form that JAL handed me?

A44. That's a medical survey. You must fill it out completely and truthfully, and you should hand it to the quarantine inspector upon arrival at Narita. If you have any medical concerns please ask. Whether you must fill out a medical form or not depends on where you began your travel.

Q45. Does Narita security enforce the U.S. and U.K. cabin luggage rules concerning liquids and gels?

A45. Yes. Effective March 1, 2007, Japanese authorities are adopting similar standards for all international flights departing Japanese airports. Passengers connecting to an international flight at a Japanese airport should also be aware of this rule.