You will need to clear immigration/custom at KIX and pick up any checked luggage, and recheck them for your HND flight

From HND, the limousine buses to Shinjuku runs every 10 to 20 minutes until midnight. Trains from HND will also run til midnight as well

2 hours is sufficient to clear immigration/customs at KIX

For an iterinary on ANA LAX-NRT-KUL would the connection at HND be without any checks/security etc? The connection time is only 55 minutes, so wondering how easy the connection is at NRT from INT to INT on the same ticket.

Rumour is that Narita reintroduced transit security for US arrivals. I have not seen it for myself yet. But arriving from Honolulu in Haneda recently, there was no security check for transit passengers.

If they sold a single ticket with 55 minute time, they'll get you through. Boarding for KUL will only start 20 to 25 minutes before departure.

There are a lot of short USA -> Southeast Asia connections at NRT every day. Also, Japanese airports are overstaffed by US standards and the extra staff (in part) facilitates tight connections. Unless the LAX-NRT is extremely delayed (e.g. plane goes tech and takes 3 hours to fix), they will know that you are coming and if in their experience things are looking tight, they will send someone to meet you at the arrival gate and escort you to the KUL boarding gate including through any security checkpoints.

I have a 6.5 hr layover at Narita tomorrow, and I’m hoping to land,, clear customs and head out to the land side of the airport to do some shopping. Then re-enter, go through immigration, and clear security again for my
flight. As a UA Plat, flying UA metal in business out from Nartia to EWR, is this feasible? I’ve never tried to clear customs and exit on a layover before.

As long as you are eligible to enter Japan this is quite easy -- but just a heads up there isn't too much "shopping" to do airside as it's mostly restaurants. The high end places are airside....

Depending on where you want to go shopping, and how much transport time you need. But generally, that is pretty easily done as long as you hold a passport that does not require a visa.

It is typically quicker if you complete the online customs declaration in advance and exit via the egates for customs. But you can easily get some hours for shopping.

You get Gold track priority screening when entering airside..... I've seen long lines at the regular screening, so this would help.

A Few years ago I've done (land 845am Narita), 5pm departure. (8+ hours)

Took Keisei to Narita City, walked down the main street (stuff starting to open, there's a place that preps live eel and grills them, they do takeaway) to Naritasan Shinsho-ji, then walked to megadonki to buy stuff & aeon mall narita, took bus back from mall, even had time for shower at lounge. Slightly rushed though and I had enough knowledge of what to do (suica/coin locker etc)

You probably don't have time to all the above, but can still choose either Narita City or megadonki/mall

You want expensive omiyage(airport landside/airside)? Or cheaper trinkets/snacks (100yen daiso at Narita City or the megadonki)

This is all very helpful! Truth be told, im
trying to make sure I can grab some Sanrio and Pokémon gifts for my kids, and maybe some of the flavored Kit Kats. Nothing too special. My understanding was that the better stores were landaise va airside but maybe I’ll find what I need without having to go back and forth through customs. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow!

airside:
https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/map?terminal=1&map=3.

TOp near gate 27
Stores S1, S2, those are larger stores and also the most popular snack sourvenir store, you'll find some KitKat there (and lines to pay). Will also have some toys/Sanrio stuff. unitedClub S37 is near here



North wing (right side gate 21).
Stores N1, slightly smaller selection but usually no line. You'll pass by a (windowless) ana lounge N6 (lower level) here

bottom left south wing.
Stores S25-29, snack shops , some toy/sanrio stuff too. The s34 ANA lounge here has windows, but usually ANA lounge is (over)crowded but better (Asian) food than Unitedclub

Skip the KitKat, Get Tokyo banana, Tokyo cheese factory, Ishiya Shiroi Koibito White, #4 here. https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in...icle-a0002637/.

My favorite snack, I've only see it in S1: cheap kyoto Yatsuhashi mochi, pack of 4-6 for 200-800yen, see the transparent see thru packaging version under the cinnamon section https://japancheapo.com/food-and-dri...omiyage-japan/.

Given the cheap price, you can buy one and eat it and see if its worth to buy more

You’re a lifesaver! My girls will be very happy :)

I posted earlier about a 2 hour difference in arrival and departure (0500 arrival and 0700 departure) and that seemed a little tight. This scenario is now a 3.5 hour layover and is still considered tight? Is this only because CA doesn't have morning flights? If it was ANA would it be fine?

What is the specific scenario? Arrival and departure flights.... Generally 3.5 hours should be OK'ish. The immigration lines seem to be behaving better these days.

Arrival AA169, departing ANA to CTS. I was able to change my flight to give myself 4 hours now so I guess this discussion is moot.

We taking JAL69 from LAX to KIX in J arriving Dec 21 at 18:50 .. I was going to book a car on klook from KIX to the Conrad .. How much time should I allow until the car picks us up .. I was thinking an hour but I have never been there so curious what other travelers think. Much thanks!