is it worth it?

Hi all,

I will have 3 full days in Tokyo at the beginning of my trip. After some more traveling through other countries in asia, I will fly from HKG back to NRT in order to get back to the states (due to my award redemption).

My question is... is it worth it to stay one more night in Tokyo? My flight from HKG will arrive at Narita at 2:40pm and I will fly out the next day at 3:05pm. Or should I just find another flight that gets me to Narita in time to make my 3:05 flight?

Thanks so much!!

Doesn't this just depend on what you have done in Tokyo during the beginning of your trip and whether or not there's more you want to do? In addition, budgetary concerns come into play and it's going to be cheaper to just connect HKG-NRT-USA instead of spending money on food, transportation and a place to stay for a little under twenty-four hours. Really, only you can answer if it's worth it or not to toss in an extra day. Remember, this is FT where people fly halfway across the world to be in an airport for four hours and then head home, all just for miles...

very true. i was just hoping someone could sway me one way or the other. I'll be staying at the Hilton Narita ... so while cost there isnt so much of a concern - I am worried about getting back to the hotel in time in the evening and if trains still run often..

There is nothing in the area of the Hilton Narita except more hotels. Have you considered staying in the city of Narita for a small-town Japan experience? Shinshoji Temple is worth seeing, and you might enjoy just walking around and seeing what a Japanese city that isn't Tokyo looks like.

Even if you're committed to staying at the Hilton, you can ask the people there about the best way to get to the town. It's a leisurely, slow-paced stopover (I've always stayed in town, not on the hotel strip), and I've done it a couple of times when I'm not on a tight schedule.

If it were I, I'd definitely take the extra time and go back into Tokyo to spend more time there. Best big city in the world IMHO.

If you haven't spent much time in Tokyo, and don't plan to come back in a while, I'd say it's worth it. A day or two in Tokyo isn't that much, but at the same time, I would take advantage of any time I can spend there.

If you have, the Narita suggestion is a good one. A very different side of Japan.

If you're keen on stuffing yourself with casual Japanese food before going back to the states, I'd recommend asking either at the Narita Hilton (that might be one of the hotels with the free shuttle) or in a downtown hotel (for the public bus) that goes to the Aeon Mall. If you take a look at that link, the marigold-colored road with the number 408 on it, keep shifting the map to the "right." Many of those establishments on 408 are restaurants- kaitenzushi, tonkatsu, shabu shabu, ramen- cheap, family-friendly types of restaurants. All are within a 10-15 minute walk of the Aeon mall bus stop. I wish a copy of this road existed in the NYC area...

If you have wanderlust like me, you could walk from the JR Narita train station to the Aeon mall in less than thirty minutes. The info booth at that station can give you clear directions, along with a map.

On my last NRT transit, I went to Akihabara, slept and showered in an Internet cafe and got back to the airport all in 21 hours.