Three 4-hour transit tours departing from Narita Airport that are well worth your time! [Article series / The Surrounding Areas of Narita Airport Part 11]

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Written by GOOD LUCK TRIP

Do you ever feel like your arrival and departure days are wasted trying to get from point A to B on time? Well, let us show you how to make the absolute most of your time here! There are two points of exit from the Tokyo area: Haneda Airport and Narita Airport. What you may not know is that there is a great deal of fun with your name on it in their immediate vicinities! Want to explore as soon as you arrive? Or, do you want to keep busy until the last minute? Either way, we have you covered!

Looking for a way to make use of your last few hours before departing from Japan or your time between connecting flights? If so, you might enjoy one of the following four transit courses. Why spend your time waiting around the airport when you could use it to further experience the culture and history of Japan!

Course #1: Japanese Cultural Experience Tour: Narita-san Shinsho-ji Temple and Narita-san Omotesando Street

(Time required: 3 hours)

1. Stroll around Narita-san Omotesando
Most temples in Japan are surrounded with small food stalls and shops selling traditional items that make wonderful souvenirs. Narita-san Shinsho-ji Temple is no exception. Take in the distinctively Japanese scenery while you shop for gifts to bring back to your loved ones.

2. Local Delicacies
You can’t visit Narita-san Shinsho-ji Temple without first trying the dish the area is best known for: Unagi, or eel. In and around Omotesando alone there are over 60 shops offering their take on eel!

There are also a number of shops selling Japanese-style sweets, such as o-dango (sauce-covered sweet dumplings).

3. Visit one of Japan’s favourite temples, Narita-san Shinsho-ji Temple
Walk around the grounds of the popular, well-known temple that over 3 million people visit to make their first prayer of the year every New Year’s. Beautiful architecture and sculptures are everywhere, and, if you're lucky, you may get to see the monks making their way to perform a ceremony.

4. Photograph the idyllic scenery of Narita-san Park
This tranquil park has something to offer every season: Plum and cherry blossoms in the spring, wisterias in summer, and autumn leaves in the fall. Located just behind Narita-san Shinsho-ji Temple, you won’t regret taking a few extra steps to experience its beauty.

Course #2: Japanese Food Culture Experience Tour

(Time required: 3 hours)

1. Fuwari Restaurant
For lunch, we suggest making the short trip to Fuwari restaurant. Enjoy a buffet-style meal featuring dishes made with fresh local produce. (1,500 yen)

2. Museum of Aeronautical Sciences
This aviation museum, which is located only a short distance from Narita Airport, is the first of its kind in the country. Hop into the large-scale model cockpit, and experience what it’s like to be a pilot as you fly a simulated airplane.

You don’t have to be an aircraft fanatic to enjoy the numerous displays, but if you are, it should be an experience like no other!

Course #3: Japanese Country Life Tour

(Time required: 3 hours)

1. Tako-machi
This course focuses on experiencing the natural beauty of the country landscape. Tako-machi is a quintessential rural Japanese town with rice fields and panoramic views.

June is the peak season for hydrangea viewing!

The view across the Kuriyama River will refresh your heart and soul.

You can also float downstream in a roofed pleasure boat.

Course #4: Japanese History Experience Tour

(Time required: 3 hours)

Dress up in Edo period costumes to experience your surroundings as a samurai or town girl.

This is your chance to experience what a small town would have been like 150 years ago during the Edo period.

So how does one participate in one of these four tours?

STEP 1:
Visit the Narita Transit Program Counter located in the arrival lobby of the Narita International Airport.

STEP 2:
Select one of the four courses introduced in this article and GO! Spots are available on a first-come-first-served basis from 9:00-12:00.

Each tour departs from Narita Airport and requires only a reasonable 3 hours of your time. Make the most of your time here and enjoy Japan until the very last moment!

Keisei Guide

Narita-Kaiun Pass provided by Keisei Electric Railway Co.,LTd saves you money when participating in one of the transit tours! They also offer special discount tickets to travelers from overseas for the Skyliner, a high-speed train that will get you to downtown Tokyo in only 36 minutes. Details can be found in the pamphlet below!

▼Visit the official site below for further details on train tickets:

【Keisei Skyliner】

【Skyliner Discount Ticket】

【Free Wi-Fi in Keisei Skyliner】

【Keisei Skyliner & Tokyo Subway Ticket】

【Access Express】

【Keisei Main Line Limited Express】

【Keisei Skyliner & Tokyo Subway Ticket】

【KEISEI SKYLINER & TEITO TAXI】

【Hands-Free Travel with Skyliner】

【Narita-Kaiun Pass】

【Shitamati Biyori Pass】