The subject of the new transit tours now available for travelers on layovers at major Japanese airports has been mentioned here before. Today I noticed that JNTO is advertising these in Hemispheres, the United in-flight magazine, and presumably on other carriers. They listed at least 4 different tours for each of the 3 major international airports (KIX,NGO and NRT), some for 3 or 4 hour tours and some all day. Prices start at 500 yen (?!?)

As previously discussed, this seems like a wonderful idea and is now being aggressively advertised. I hope somebody will have a layover soon and try one of these. If so, please post a report.

JR

(Yeesh! I can't even say "three hour tour" without hearing the theme from "Gilligan's Island." It's just sick!)

500yen? Typo?

I was looking at Narita Airports website:
http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/what...urs/index.html

A full day tour of Narita begins at 5000Y

Both incorrect.
The priced start JPY200 at Kansai-Airport.
See http://www.jnto.go.jp/transit/

Maybe in the ad. Not on my part. The ad said 3 and 4 hour tours starting at 500 or 600 yen and as the other poster indicated, at least one is going for 200. That doesn't even cover the cost of the printing but perhaps they are hoping for volume sales.

For those not familiar with Japanese currency, 500 JPY is less than $5.00 US.

JR

I meant as part of the ad.

KIX seems the dirt cheapest out of the three.