Exploring Narita
 

I have a night at the Hilton Narita and would like to explore the town. Is the best way to get there via uber or just a taxi? I'd like to walk around, see some sights, have a few beers and then head back to my hotel. I only have one evening there.

Any recommendations?

Thank you

Ubers in Japan are taxis so no difference there.

I'm pretty sure that hotel has a shuttle to downtown Narita city.

There a a number of places to eat near the two Narita train stations, but the touristy stuff shuts down around 5 or 6, can't recall which. The main tourist drag is called Narita Omotensando.

There are also heaps of chain Japanese restaurants near the two AEON malls, serving everything from conveyor belt sushi to okonomiyaki and bbq.

The best way to get to the city of Narita from Hilton Narita is the free shuttle bus the hotel operates.

Hilton Narita Shuttle Bus Schedule

thanks. I’ll just take that to the mall and walk around. I’m fascinated by malls in different countries. This is my first time in Japan.

That isn’t the same bus that takes guests to and from NRT correct?

I think the same bus company is contracted by Hilton Narita to run the shuttle service to the city of Narita. But Hilton Narita - Airport and Hilton Narita - City bus service are two different routes.

If it's like the Crowne Plaza, it's the same bus company, but different bus. It won't go to the airport, it just goes back and forth to Aeon Mall with maybe 1-2 stops at other hotels. Aside from the mall if you don't mind the long walk, you can also get to the temple, but it can get hot during the day. From there you can take the train back to the airport and take the shuttle from the airport to your hotel or walk back and stop at the Mega Don Quixote. There is also a nice onsen near the airport that was pretty good.

I had no idea. I thought I was the only one. The AEON mall isn't that special, but a good first-time experience if you're never been to a Japanese mall. The food court is decent. I was there in January 2023. Much more convenient to grab a bite there than to walk around in the cold looking for a restaurant!

The Hokkaido ice cream at the aeon mall is pretty good. #171 on the PDF,, lower level near supermarket. have location in downtown Tokyo too

https://en.aeonmall.global/mall/narita-aeonmall/

Don Quixote a few blocks from Aeon is a great place to stock up on some duty free souvenirs.

yes looks interesting indeed. No I find it fascinating --malls. When I visit different cities I like to check them out and see the cultural differences between the US and other countries. One notable and humorous example was in Madrid a few years ago I was walking around one of their large supermarkets and I was looking at the tomatoes and picked a few up. You would have thought I accidentally drove my car through the front window as a clerk got all bothered and scolded me for picking up with my hands. LOL Live and learn.

Looks like there isn't a sports bar type venue at AEON mall Narita City just a few restaurants. I would like to grab a cold beer and people watch. Cheap entertainment.

its legal to drink in public, you could get something alcoholic from 7/11 or vending machine, and people watch in public areas / outdoor / transit

malls may have specific rules against it though (since its not public space)

How about make a booking at The Strings or any hotels near Ueno or Nippori and explore Tokyo instead? All hotels near Narita are quite bad and the First NEX express train arrives at Narita the same time you can catch the first flight of the day(Narita is not 24 hour airport.).

​​​​​​Sports bar-types are in downtown Narita city. That's the effect of being near the airport (flight crew would stop by).

As for malls, visit Grand Indonesia in Jakarta, and Terminal 21 and Iconsiam in Bangkok.

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