NRT Immigration
 

I couldn't find any recent threads on this topic so apologies if I missed something. We are arriving next weekend on LX160 in J. I noticed there is an A380 from Frankfurt arriving at the same time, along with a several other long-haul flights from EU and Asian departure points. What are queues like at NRT typically? Is there a fast track for non-Japanese passport holders who fly in J?

Just trying to work out what limobus we will make to our hotel.

This question is probably more suitable for the Japan forum where there is a thread in which people boast about how quickly they managed to exit the airport after arriving in NRT.

I fly to NRT on LX160 and LH710 regularly and the length of time it takes to get through passport control depends very much on other flights especially from Asia arriving before yours. I've had to wait anything between 0 and 30 minutes. There is no fast track for Business or First passengers. Clearing the customs on the other hand is usually quick.

To confirm as you can find in many other threads (not complaining, just pointing this out) -- there is no fast track immigration at NRT unless you are a permanent resident / other possible resident situations of which I am not privy.

Instead you can expect to wait 0-30 minutes as Newbierunner explained, and often these days it is 15 min or less. Just ensure you have both sides of your immigration form completed and haul butt to the immigration counter and you should be fine.

Indeed, it is a destination forum question and we have moved it there with a training link of one month's duration.

JDiver
senior moderator

I am afraid there's not a palatable answer for you in this instance. I have arrived NRT many time,s often in J and sometimes in F, and there are often lengthy queues at Immigration when one arrives at a node time when other large airliners discharge their passengers. (Of course, it gets longer for those who forget to fill in their forms when queuing up.)

Be prepared for a later limobus or using the train - depending on your hotel destination and time of arrival, of course. JapanGuide.com has a useful set of pages, beginning here, for Narita and transportation into the Kanto area.

I almost always arrive in NRT between 3p-8p. At that timeframe, anywhere between 0-30min sounds about right for passport control. If you have little kids, they usually will let you cut to the front of the line. Customs is very quick. If you have bags and you're not familiar with NRT (although NRT is pretty easy to navigate), I'd allow yourself an hour from the gate to the bus to be safe.

I frequently arrive on these European flights in the am at terminal 1 south and I have never waited one second for an immigration officer. It's relatively quiet compared to the afternoon when ANA flights from Europe and all the North American flights arrive. I am usually through in less than 10 minutes from gate to the arrival lobby. Last week from MUC I got off the flight at :01 out by :08 and was on the :14 NEX. I took the ZRH flight once; no problem.

Look for 5khours thread on fastest times through immigration.

There is no priority line except diplomats.

Also, I think the European flights are majority Japanese pax on average so you are not competing with them at immigration. The extreme case is Turkish where 95% of the passengers are Japanese. Especially in the summer.

p.s. If you have to wait a very long time for the next hotel specific bus then look for close by hotels if applicable. Otherwise take a bus to TCAT (every 10-15 min) and then a cab. Or take the NEX or Skyliner and then a cab. I assume you don't want to walk with luggage.

Thank you for the responses! We are staying at the RItz Carlton in Roppongi. The buses for our hotel only begin departures after 13h00 so we can take the 9h30 train to ANA Intercontinental Hotel or 9h45 to the Grand Hyatt and take a taxi from there.

Is it advisable to go to TCAT and take a taxi to the RC since the buses leave every 15 minutes? I don't really want to wait an hour for a bus to the Grand Hyatt to depart.

The other alternative I see is to take the train to JR station and take a taxi from there.

Any suggestions?

I'd probably take the JR Narita Express train to Shibuya and a taxi from there.

If saving pennies, I'd take a Keisei Skyliner train to Ueno and walk to the Hibiya Line, which goes to Roppongi. But if you don't fancy hauling bags through the subway, the first option is more comfortable.

Taxi from TCAT is possible. It's a 20+ minute ride, I guess....

Do all NRT Express trains go to Shibuya station? I see a symbol || next to Shibuya for some train times online. Does that mean it does not arrive there?

On the timetable, do you see another column with the same departure time from NRT, that shows an arrival time at Shibuya?

If so, then you can interpret that to mean that the train departs from NRT, then divides into two parts at Tokyo Station. One part goes via Shibuya, and has an arrival time at Shibuya. The other part goes to Yokohama and does not pass GO or collect $200.

You need to pay attention to your seat assignment when you board the train - make sure you get into the right car.

Makes sense?

Yes, I see what you mean. Two trains listed (ie Narita Express 6) and they split off at Tokyo station. Thanks for your help!

I wouldn't go to Shibuya on the NEX. The journey from Tokyo station is very slow and indirect. It takes 22-25 minutes, including waiting for them to disconnect the train cars and all that. It's better to get off at Tokyo and take a cab.

There are indeed some NEX trains that only go to (and from) Shinagawa and on to Ofuna, but they are rare. I think there is typically a departure around 17:15 or :45.

TCAT is going to be a longer cab ride. You can figure the cost if that's a concern. 710 for the first 2 km then 80 yen for every 274 (?) meters and then throw in some waiting time.

There are even some low cost buses for 1000 yen that go to Tokyo station or thereabouts. There are a couple of threads on them.

There are APEC lanes and automated gates (if you qualify for either, I have used both) that help at that time, but even the former can be quite busy at times.
I don't usually fly J there, though, and if I am, I am usually connecting (or on an award.)
I also like to leave ample time when there.
It is very short, though the immigration process does require your fingerprints (and the Japanese customs agents are far more professional than their American counterparts.)

All Narita Express trains that go to Shinjuku also go to Shibuya (which is a stop before Shinjuku).

Although Tokyo to Shinjuku by Narita Express takes longer than directly by Chuo Line, getting to Shibuya isn't that bad. Narita Express uses underground platforms (basement level 5) in Tokyo and it can easily take 15 minutes from the train to taxi ranks. It probably doesn't make much difference whether you get off at Tokyo or Shibuya.

Almost all Narita Express trains split into two in Tokyo and half the carriages go to Shinagawa and Yokohama (most of them carry on to Ofuna) while the other carriages go to Shibuya, Shinjuku and beyond. There are about 4 trains which go to Shinagawa and Yokohama only but there are as many which go only to Shibuya and Shinjuku.