Mar 24, 2013, 8:50 am
Last edit by: muji
Narita International Airport (NRT) - Layover & Hotel
Where to stay overnight and what to do nearby
Where to stay overnight and what to do nearby
Narita Airport (NRT) is approximately 60 km from central Tokyo. It is blessed with numerous hotels, many with shuttles (served from the terminals' bus platforms) and often at surprisingly low rates for Japan. Some of these hotels offer free shuttles into the nearby city of Narita (Narita-shi).
If you have a few hours (say six or more) Narita offers many things to do--the Narita-san Shinsho-ji Temple and Park is beautiful and pleasant and on weekends one often sees performances of traditional arts and music. The Omotesando street leading there is lined with shops and restaurants, as well as a local museum.
See Mike Newman's Narita Layover Pages for many things one can do.
See the thorough online Japan Guide.
Read this article on CNN.
Some of the hotels at/near Narita Airport:
A - Radisson Hotel Narita https://www.radisson.com/narita-hote...-0221/jpnarita
B - Narita Gateway Hotel http://www.reservations.com/hotel/na...FQ-bfgodLi4M0A
C - Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu http://www.tokyuhotelsjapan.com/en/h...RIT/index.html
D - Narita View Hotel http://www.viewhotels.co.jp/narita/english/
E - Hilton Narita http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/jap...IHI/index.html
F - ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hote...cp/hoteldetail
G - Marroad International Hotel Narita http://www.marroad.jp/narita/eindex.htm
H - Narita Tobu Hotel http://www.tobuhotel.co.jp.e.mi.hp.transer.com/narita/
I - Hotel Nikko Narita http://www.nikko-narita.com/english/
J - Narita Airport Rest House (located inside the airport) http://www.apo-resthouse.com/english/
K - Toyoko Inn Narita Kuko http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00037/
L - Skycourt Narita http://www.sky-hotel.jp/narita/en/
Narita Int'l. Airport (NRT) Layover & Hotel Master Thread
Mar 6, 2017, 1:29 am
#706
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Some hole
Posts: 2,783
The two lines' stations are essentially the same at the airport. JR and Keisei share the same general concourse area. So whether it's JR or Keisei, you head down towards the same general area from the airport's arrival concourse level. But each has its own side for buying the tickets at. And different entrance/exit, different platform. But it's all well-marked.
I was thinking of taking one line to Narita and the other on the way back to the airport. I hope its not confusing.
Mar 6, 2017, 2:03 am
#707
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,381
You could do that. As you know, the stations are a few minutes apart in town, but you won't miss them. Neither one will be particularly unique over the other, except the JR will take you right by the Aeon mall (and often slows down there on the way into the airport so you can have a really good look at the mall).
One thing to keep in mind is that JR does not run as often as Keisei.
One thing to keep in mind is that JR does not run as often as Keisei.
Mar 6, 2017, 2:09 am
#708
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Some hole
Posts: 2,783
You could do that. As you know, the stations are a few minutes apart in town, but you won't miss them. Neither one will be particularly unique over the other, except the JR will take you right by the Aeon mall (and often slows down there on the way into the airport so you can have a really good look at the mall).
One thing to keep in mind is that JR does not run as often as Keisei.
One thing to keep in mind is that JR does not run as often as Keisei.
Mar 6, 2017, 2:29 am
#709
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,381
Thanks again. I've been to the station before. But just to grab a taxi back to my hotel. But looking at the map, they're like across from each other. I'll have my phone with Google Maps handy just in case. And my flight won't depart till 1800 or so and I'll be getting there around 830-9 so I have plenty of time to hang and explore, etc.
Mar 6, 2017, 2:43 am
#710
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Some hole
Posts: 2,783
One day, I might do a bullet train run just for the hell of it.
Mar 9, 2017, 10:13 am
#711
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YYZ, NYC
Programs: Marriott Gold, JGC, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, AC 25K
Posts: 1,025
6 hours, I know I can go into Tokyo for 2 hours but the cost is a bit high given I have to take the quickest train. I think nearby Narita town would be more affordable.
Mar 9, 2017, 6:52 pm
#712
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
Programs: UA, NW
Posts: 3,752
Delete this reply.
Last edited by ksandness; Mar 9, 2017 at 6:55 pm Reason: delete
Mar 10, 2017, 2:09 am
#713
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Some hole
Posts: 2,783
As for unagi, anyone have an idea of which is better between Kawatoyo and Surugaya? I’m reading both are good but maybe someone has a preference on which to try? Also, is the place crowded on a weekday?
And has anyone tried
before? I saw a video on YouTube (
) and the ice cream looked really good.
And has anyone tried
Mar 10, 2017, 4:10 am
#714
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,833
I'm not sure of the name, but there is a unagi restaurant about 2/3rds of the way down the main walking street in Narita which has fresh eels being pinned and killed constantly, then cooked and served on rice. It seems very popular and has a large seating area. I had eel there and it was fine - but I'm not an eel connoisseur but then again you can't get it much fresher
Mar 17, 2017, 11:45 am
#715
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Some hole
Posts: 2,783
In regards to the Airport and Narita stations, how will I know which train goes to Narita and the airport? I obviously don't want to get on the wrong train and I get to neither! 
Mar 17, 2017, 6:12 pm
#716
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,381
From Narita airport to Narita town, every plain JR train (ie, not NRT Express) will stop at Narita. Keisei is a bit trickier because some will be "Access" line trains and others will be Main line (honsen) trains. You'll want to take the main line trains, not Access. And definitely don't get on a Skyliner limited express. To avoid confusion, maybe it will be best if you take JR from NRT into town. I do think that non-Skyliner Keisei has gotten to be a little more confusing with the advent of the Access line.
From town back to airport, it should be more straightforward. There'll be enough signs, so it should be pretty clear as to which platform is for the train that goes to the airport.
From town back to airport, it should be more straightforward. There'll be enough signs, so it should be pretty clear as to which platform is for the train that goes to the airport.
Last edited by evergrn; Mar 17, 2017 at 6:18 pm
Mar 18, 2017, 11:08 am
#717
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Some hole
Posts: 2,783
From Narita airport to Narita town, every plain JR train (ie, not NRT Express) will stop at Narita. Keisei is a bit trickier because some will be "Access" line trains and others will be Main line (honsen) trains. You'll want to take the main line trains, not Access. And definitely don't get on a Skyliner limited express. To avoid confusion, maybe it will be best if you take JR from NRT into town. I do think that non-Skyliner Keisei has gotten to be a little more confusing with the advent of the Access line.
From town back to airport, it should be more straightforward. There'll be enough signs, so it should be pretty clear as to which platform is for the train that goes to the airport.
From town back to airport, it should be more straightforward. There'll be enough signs, so it should be pretty clear as to which platform is for the train that goes to the airport.
Thanks again.
Mar 18, 2017, 12:19 pm
#718
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
Programs: UA, NW
Posts: 3,752
Not a problem, though. Narita is simply the first stop on the local trains, and there should be an English sign somewhere on the platform.
Mar 18, 2017, 3:35 pm
#719
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Some hole
Posts: 2,783
The N'EX and the Skyliner both have announcements in English (and electronic billboard announcements in Chinese and Korean) but the local trains do not, as I recall.
Not a problem, though. Narita is simply the first stop on the local trains, and there should be an English sign somewhere on the platform.
Not a problem, though. Narita is simply the first stop on the local trains, and there should be an English sign somewhere on the platform.
Will there be signs on the platform to where the train is headed?
Would Google Maps help in any way?
Mar 18, 2017, 5:14 pm
#720
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,381
I am probably giving you too much info at the risk of confusing you more. Bottom-line:
1). If you want to avoid confusion on your trip into Narita town, then the most dummy-proof way is to take JR both there and back. Every JR train that's not NRT Express will go to Narita.
2). If you have to take one train there and another back (as you'd indicated before), then take JR into town, Keisei back. You'll be far less likely to hop on the wrong Keisei train coming back to the airport from Narita than vice-versa.