Well I already have fetched the QR code for my arrival in 10 days. I guess I will see at arrival the situation and choose to use them or not.

I did for a while complete both, and advise people to have QR and paper form. Though recently I have only been doing the QR code. Though I do have a stack of customs forms in my bag, from before so I can fill them out.

Sometimes the guardians of the e-gates are a little overzealous, I usually just wave at them and say I have done this many times before. I guess there is a risk of sometimes ending up in a slow moving line, but that happened pre QR code as well.

Landed today at 15:10. One hour from doors open to be in the N'ex, including time to take cash, recharge Suica and buy a drink. Immigration was short but custom was really long. Except the QR code section which was empty. So it took me 30 seconds.

I wasn't going to bother with the QR codes for my trip to Japan (will be arriving at NRT) next week. But after reading your post I decided to go ahead and spend the half hour that it took to get the QR codes for immigration and customs for myself and my wife. I did not get a QR code for tax-free shopping.

I will report back next week on whether there was any benefit (or detriment) to having the QR codes.

Well it depends, sometimes the codes could be a hassle(especially the customs one when travelling in groups), while it could also save you some time if it is busy.

Arrived at NRT T2 at 5 pm on Saturday. Took about 35 minutes to get through immigration once we entered the line. Used QR Code but it made no difference in time to get through immigration as there was just one line for everyone.

They had some kiosks set up for passport/fingerprint scanning before reaching the final desk. QR Code was not scanned at these kiosks. Most people walked past these kiosks and had their fingerprints scanned at the final desk.

In customs, there was a separate area for people using QR Code and almost no one was in the line. Got through customs in less than one minute using the QR Code. Judging by the length of the customs line for people using the paper form, we probably saved about 10-15 minutes by using the QR Code.

By the time we reached baggage claim (about one hour after landing), our luggage had already been removed from the carousel and was waiting for us.

Arriving Narita T1 at about 4 pm next month travelling First Class. Is there currently fast track immigration for First Class at this Terminal?

Yes, and ANA provided Fast Lane voucher but it was closed/unstaffed when I arrived around 3 pm mid October.

Agree -- it's been a long time since I've seen this open....

I'm curious, does this mean there will be just one immigration line when exiting? I'm flying next month with my child and it's my first international trip in forever, so I'm trying to figure out all the customs and immigration things but it is daunting. I really don't want to be floundering and holding up a line of people.

There is one big tensa line which splits off into multiple counters. If it is possible to multitask then there is no issue with joining the queue while preparing (take out passport, load QR code on phone etc.) while supervising the child and nudging forwards in the queue.

If it gets to your turn and you are not ready, I think it should not be a problem to let the person behind you go first.

Thank you for the explanation and reassurance. I was particularly curious about the fast lane voucher that was mentioned, hoping that if that service is available it simplifies instead of complicates things - it sounds like it is unlikely to be available, though. My child and I will both be sure to have QR codes and passports ready, that shouldn't be an issue as long as cell service ends up working (I am hoping we can screenshot the QR code as well, as backup). I am also hoping we can be off the plane quickly and beat the crowd a bit.

I am flying into Narita February 14 on ANA business class at 2:35 pm. I need to get to Kyoto. I am not staying long enough to make buying a JR rail pass worth it as I am in Kyoto 5nights and then Tokyo 1 night and then home. Should I wait to buy a bullet train until I get there? I will have one suitcase and a carryon.

No financial gain in buying in advance, but if you setup a JR-ex account, you can get the ticket as a QR code and save some time at Narita airport station. Though if you don't mind navigating the vending machines, that can be switched to English and take credit card if you have a pin code, there is rarely any line there. Just the manned ticket counters can have a bit of a wait.

Wait to buy. There is an advanced purchase discount (Hayatoku 21 Wide) however the potential savings are not worth the hassle considering the various timing uncertanties of an international flight.

If you are also flying out of NRT you can consider the round-trip Narita Express ticket for foreigners which is somewhat cheaper than 2x singles. Friendly reminder to change from Narita Express -> Shinkansen at Shinagawa and not Tokyo station for a more pleasant connection experience.