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Japanese architecture of the Naritasan Shinshoji Temple near Narita Airport.

Things to do in  Narita

Skip the airport lounge

Narita is best known for its namesake international airport, but the city east of Tokyo, in Chiba Prefecture, offers a few things to do of its own. Although Narita’s not a major tourist destination, it’s a pleasant place to spend time if you’re waiting for a flight or have just landed and want a gentle introduction to Japan before diving head-first into Tokyo. After all, the millennia-old Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple and the traditional Narita Omotesando street offer glimpses into old Japan that are harder to find in the futuristic capital.

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When to visit

Most travelers visit Narita on the way to or from the airport. If you’re traveling in spring, summer, or fall, make sure to spend some time in Naritasan Park, where there are attractive seasonal plants, including cherry and plum trees and azaleas. A drum festival is held at Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple in late April, while in the summer, the Sogo Reido Sanctuary holds a colorful hydrangea festival.

Getting around

Narita is about 4 miles (7 kilometers) west of Narita International Airport. To get to the city, take the Keisei Main Line between Narita Airport Terminal 2·3 Station and Keisei Narita Station; the journey takes about 20 minutes. Narita itself is best explored on foot, as the attractions are quite close together. Narita Omotesando, one of Narita’s main attractions, is just west of Keisei Narita Station and leads up to Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple and Naritasan Park.

Traveler tips

If you plan to explore Narita during a layover or before your departure from the airport, you’ll want to leave enough time to get back to the airport, check in (if necessary), and go through security. Some layover tours make it simple to visit Narita with limited time. It’s also easy to visit independently, but make sure you take the right train, as a couple of lines serve different airport terminals.

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People Also Ask
Q:What is Narita known for?
A:

Narita, a city in Chiba Prefecture, is best known for Narita International Airport. Aside from this major transportation hub, it's known for a few local attractions, including the traditional Narita Omotesando market street, the 10th-century Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple, and the large Naritasan Park, with lakes, a temple, and plum and cherry trees.

Q:Can I leave Narita Airport during a layover?
A:

Yes, you can typically leave Narita Airport during a layover, but this depends on your visa, how much time you have, and specific airline policies. If you have at least six hours between flights, you might want to check out the nearby city of Narita. With a longer layover, you could head into Tokyo.

Q:Is Narita worth visiting?
A:

Yes, Narita is worth visiting if you’re looking to kill some time before, after, or between flights. However, it’s not a major tourist destination in its own right, and if you’re at the start or end of a longer visit to Japan, you don’t need to schedule much time in Narita.

Q:How should I spend a day in Narita?
A:

With one day in Narita, take a stroll along Narita Omotesando, a shopping street with traditional stores. This leads up to Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple, a 10th-century Buddhist temple with a pagoda and carved gates. You could also visit Naritasan Park, located beyond the temple, and Narita Wholesale Market, where fish is sold.

Q:What food is Narita known for?
A:

Unagi, or grilled freshwater eel, is Narita’s local culinary specialty. You’ll find many grilled eel restaurants along Narita Omotesando. When glazed with a sweet sauce and served on white rice, unagi is a tasty meal that most fish eaters will enjoy. Other foods to try include senbei, a cracker-like snack, and dango, a sticky dumpling.

Q:How far is Narita from Tokyo city center?
A:

Narita is about 90 minutes from Shinjuku in central Tokyo. The 48-mile (77-kilometer) journey takes around 75 minutes in a car or 100 minutes by train. The JR Narita Express is the quickest way to travel between the airport and Tokyo Station; the journey takes around an hour.

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