NRT 23 hr info
 

Yes i know layovers are a common question, but im after some specific info
we have a 23 hr stopover in narita in july

we need find a hotel - basic is 100% ok - just sleeping there. $60 range.
we'd prefer it to be airport close, or at least airport easy, but also close or easy to a restarant street, preferably for sushi that night. Must be open till 10or 11p though. Any tips? Not crazy $$$, please.

I read that know Narita city has shopping streets which is great for the next day. Anyone have some more info on that? We like 99c/100 yen stores and department stores and food and toy stores in japan.

our flight gets in at 6pm, and we leave next day at 5pm, so we have one full eve and day.



[by the way, weve been to japan a few times before]

I'm asssuming you mean under $60 per person.

I might as well regurgitate this advice as it's pertinent to you.
Mercure is a good deal for two people, the Comfort Inn offers good rates for single rooms (a double/twin room is double the rate). They are very near each other if there are an odd number of people in your party.

I usually spend my last night at the Mercure before returning on an early flight back to Europe. I prefer staying in Narita town itself rather than in one of out of the way Airport Hotels for similar reasons to you. All three hotels I've suggested are within Narita

EDIT TO ADD: Lately, the Mercure's own website www.accor.com often undercuts the price given by rakuten (especially on Sunday night stays) do please check here for rates on your date.

For a mall format shopping, there's also the Aeon Shopping Center.

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I always prefer to take the Keisei train to Ueno and stay in a business hotel near Ueno station. Yeah, the ride takes a bit more than an hour, and then you have to get around to the hotel (and do it all again the next day), but I always find it more energizing to hang out in Tokyo for the day than in Narita.

To each his (or her) own...
;)

Comfort Inn at US$82 seems to fit the bill. Close and decent price.
Location & price are my top priorities.

The Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport is only $73.
International Garden Hotel Narita is $66

Not close to anything?
That why no one suggested them?

Close to the airport;) ........

For 23 hours, I'd probably go on into Tokyo, too. Narita City is fine but a bit limited for longer stays. If you want slow pace and a relaxed stay, go with one of Lap Lap's suggestions in Narita. I also would avoid the actual airport area hotels and find something in town.

For a run into Tokyo, there are some quite reasonable properties in Nippori and Ueno, both on the Keisei line and only short walks from the station in areas that have inexpensive restaurants and shopping. Even better, one connection on the subway at Ueno gets you to Asakusa and a wealth of business hotels and a cornucopeaia of shopping and eating options along with some very nice sites to visit.

For Nippori, try the Tokiwa: http://www.tokiwahotel.com/ .

For Ueno or Asakusa, try JHN, which has a lot of offerings in your price range.
http://www.japanhotel.net/data/pref/...asp?Area2=UENO

JR

Yes. It's the same reason I didn't suggest the Holiday Inn Tobu Narita (HI) which normally has the best prices for a double room in the area.

I was responding to this:I'm not sure why you overlooked the Mercure if there's two of you, the beds and rooms are much nicer than at the Comfort Inn (9,000yen is currently $74)



Both hotels you mentioned (Hilton & International Garden Hotel) will make you reliant on buses/airport shuttles/taxis, as would the Holiday Inn Tobu Narita.

As you've said you're familiar with Japan I'm assuming you actually do want to stay in Narita 'City' which is a lovely town, has a bustling night life and is definately worth spending time in.

This excellent site will give you lots of ideas about things to do there:
http://www.mgnewman.com/narita/ (I'd recommend the Sento - Public Bath - for a taste of Japan)

EDIT to add: just noticed that this website recommends Kirinoya Inn which offers traditional rooms for those on a budget (9,000yen - currently $74 - for a double room). It's also 'in town'. I have no personal experience.

>I'm not sure why you overlooked the Mercure if there's two of you, the beds >and rooms are much nicer than at the Comfort Inn (9,000yen is currently
>$74)

looks like its 9900 thru that web site, so about $82- same.

so, you suggest Mercure over Comfort Inn for location as well?
we can easily walk to shops and late night food?
that hotel booking website is reliable?

def looks nice.

1 - Location is practically the same, Mercure is slightly more convenient for Keisei line (about 30 metres from Narita Keisei station). If you're very budget concious there is a free shuttle bus to the airport (try and reserve a place for the shuttle of your choice when checking in) however the Keisei line connection is faster (about 250yen each).
2 - Yes. No problem at all. This is the reason I choose this hotel for myself.
3 - Yes. I, and others here, have used it on numerous occasions. It offers a substantial discount on the Mercure's standard/rack rate (At least it usually does - see next paragraph).

WARNING!
Historically (from my own experience at least) the Rakuten website I have linked has been the cheapest way to get a room here. However, on this occasion the Mercure website's own calendar shows rates of 8,190yen (6,120yen on Sundays) for July so I would suggest you pursue this option first. I currently have some problems with the Mercure website - but this could be because I am using an Apple Mac.


Just to add
If you do stay at the Mercure don't forget that you will be entitled to use the hotel's free shuttle bus service to get to the hotel/Narita City. On arrival at NRT and clearing customs search for the bus stops that service the local hotels. If you send an email to the Mercure and tell them which Terminal you arriving at they should be able to provide more information.
(I guess you could use the free shuttle bus to get to the Mercure if you stay at another Narita City hotel, but you'd need to have more cheek than I do!)

Full list of hotels within reach of the town is here: http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/travel/hotel/index.html
I have to admit that the location of the Garden Hotel is nearer Narita City than I thought. But I still much prefer the location of the Comfort Inn and the Mercure (having the Keisei station so handy for rapid transport to the airport is very reassuring even if you're decided on using the shuttle)

Narita is a working town and thus has all the typical stores that you find in most Japanese towns of any size, such as Jusco. I don't remember any 100 yen shops in particular. There are lots of souvenir shops in the middle of town near the tourist information center.

The town is compact and easy to walk around in. I recommend visitng the Shinshoji temple grounds, which are landscaped to mimic a forest, for a relaxing adjustment to the time change.

The JNTO's website has a PDF on Narita and its surroundings, including a simplified map, lists of hotels, and brief descriptions of the sights.

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-304.pdf

Thanks very much to everyone!
Looks like the Mercure and the town fits the bill perfectly.

Now, any sushi suggestions for late night eating?

[Flight gets in at 6, so after customns and all I figuire dinner by 9p.]

I was fed too much mediocre sushi on my last (business)trip to Japan, I was starting to think that I might not actually like sushi that much when, on the final day, my father-in-law took me to a place Azabu Juban (sushi gin). I was wrong. I LOVE sushi. But only when it's VERY good. Unfortunately, very good sushi comes with a sizeable price tag. If you are very serious about sushi, it would be best for you to go into Tokyo and have a sushi breakfast at Tsukiji Fish market. Even at 6am there are long queues.

You shouldn't have too many problems finding acceptable sushi relatively cheaply in Narita, but I can't give you any suggestions.

MrLapLap and I did have some of the best oysters of our lives (quite unexpectedly) late one night in an Izakaya on the road leading from the Mercure to the main Temple. It was on the right hand side of the street (with the Mercure behind you) and had three round mats on the floor next to the window. The name was in Japanese, unfortunately I never asked what it was - I've actually tried to find some mention of it online but failed. It was October when we ate there, so the oysters might not be in season in July anyway.

There are tons of options in Narita, I'm sure you'll have a great time choosing somewhere for yourselves.

Mike Newman (who's guide to Narita I posted a link to) mentions that there is a 100 yen store in Narita)

There is a 100 yen store right off the main square in Narita City...great variety of small goods including origami sets, japanese lunch boxes, toys and other cute gifts.

Couple of other random thoughts--Holiday Inn has nice Japanese baths that are free (along w/other extras) if you're a member of their frequent guest program. There are public baths on the Comfort Inn side of town. The mall (can walk from the town, through the park or take a scheduled bus) has a supermarket w/a superb 'deli' (take out sushi, bento boxes, etc.) that's perfect for picnics.

On our last trip, we took a bump and headed out to the samurai village (train/bus)...if you haven't seen something like that on your previous trips, it's fun, easy and interesting. There are activities in many of the buildings, including origami and paper making. I still proudly display the origami kimono (and photos w/my fellow 'classmates'--darling school girls making peace signs), but DogDad preferred putting on the samurai armor & the life size samurai practice dummies...:)

Now that I don't use this hotel any more I finally find out about this. Thanks for telling us about this, they kept it from me. I actually asked them if they had a Japanese bath the first time I ever stayed there.


Just found this website about Narita: http://www.nrtk.jp/ht/e/index.html

You can sign up for a Narita Welcome card which might offer you discounts at certain shops in the area.


I just learnt that Narita is famous for cuisine featuring eels. This is a Summer speciality, so perfect for a July trip. I'd recommend a restaurant that serves eels over sushi in Narita. There is a time (usually in July) called the 'day of the ox' "Doyo no ushi no hi" in which it is traditional to eat eels. For a couple of weeks around this time it's very popular to eat eels - don't be surprised if you see people queuing for a table. The tradition is that if you eat eel on 'Doyo no ushi no hi' (土用の丑の日) you won't suffer from heat exhaustion for the rest of the year. I don't know which day this falls on this year. - found it! 30th July http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/土用の丑の日