Why Everyone Skips Narita (And Why You Shouldn’t)

When planning a trip to Tokyo, most travelers instinctively aim for Haneda Airport. Sitting much closer to the city center, Haneda lets you zip into downtown Tokyo in no time. Narita Airport, on the other hand, often gets dismissed as a mere transit portal because it actually sits out in Chiba Prefecture, quite a distance from Tokyo proper.

On our first trip to Tokyo, we landed at Haneda and bypassed Narita completely. But for this journey, we had to stay in Narita for the WMI competition. We also chose to fly Japan Airlines (JAL) to make the most of Oneworld Sapphire membership benefits.

Flying JAL Economy: A Pleasant Surprise

Our first experience flying JAL was exceptionally positive. The perks mirror what you get with Qatar Airways: priority check-in lines, priority baggage handling, airport lounge access, and priority boarding.

What really stood out, though, was the economy class experience itself. JAL’s economy cabin feels notably more spacious than Qatar Airways, and the in-flight meals genuinely felt five-star. Of course, I completely adore Japanese food, so I might be a little biased!

Fast Facts About Narita

• Location: Situated in Chiba Prefecture, roughly 60 kilometers east of central Tokyo.
• Gateway Status: Home to Narita International Airport, one of Japan’s primary international aviation hubs.
• Vibe: A harmonious blend of ancient spiritual heritage, traditional Edo-period architecture, and modern convenience, all anchored by Narita-san Shinshoji Temple.

Exploring Narita: Sights, Shrines, and Summer Festivals

Narita-san Shinshoji Temple & The Gate Festival

The sun was fierce when we landed in Narita airport. After dropping our bags at the Hotel, we headed straight to Narita-san Shinshoji Temple to catch the opening day of the legendary Narita Gion Festival, and it was an electrifying experience. The energy around the sprawling temple grounds during this massive summer celebration is contagious, filled with traditional music, elaborate floats, and festive crowds.

After soaking in the festival atmosphere and honestly we need to cool off too (Japan summer is not a joke), we took a peaceful stroll through the adjacent Narita-san Park to cool off under the shade of massive trees and serene ponds.

When the sun starts to cool down, we head back out and browse thru the historic Narita Omotesando street, lined with traditional wooden storefronts, and caught another glimpse of the vibrant festival parade winding through the town.

Where to Eat: Summer Unagi at Kawatoyo and Alternatives

You cannot visit Narita without indulging in its most famous culinary specialty: unagi (freshwater eel).

• Kawatoyo Narita: This is the ultimate landmark spot right along the Omotesando. Because of its fame, you have to grab a ticketing number upon arrival and wait—our wait time was around 45 minutes, which gave us time to watch the chefs skillfully prep the eels outside. Once inside, the unagi was melt-in-the-mouth tender, rich with a savory-sweet glaze, and surprisingly reasonably priced for the legendary quality.
• Surugaya: If you want a fantastic alternative without walking as far or if Kawatoyo’s queue is simply too long, Surugaya is another historical unagi institution located right nearby on the Omotesando. They also grill fresh eels to perfection with a secret heritage sauce, offering a slightly more traditional and sometimes marginally quieter sit-down environment.

Food to Try and Souvenirs to Bring Home from Narita Omotesando

Strolling down the roughly 800-meter-long Narita Omotesando is a feast for the senses, filled with historic shops selling local specialties. Here are the top treats to eat on the spot and the best souvenirs to pack into your suitcase:

What to Eat on the Street

• Freshly Grilled Senbei (Rice Crackers): As you walk, you will catch the irresistible aroma of soy sauce baking over open coals. Grab a kushi-sen (rice cracker on a skewer) brushed with a sweet-and-savory glaze to snack on while you explore.
• Matcha Soft Serve & Treats: Specialty dessert shops like Sawawa serve rich matcha ice cream, matcha warabi mochi, and fresh green tea treats that are absolute lifesavers during a warm summer day.
• Dango: Traditional chewy rice dumplings slathered in sweet red bean paste or sweet soy glaze (mitarashi) offer a classic taste of Japanese festival culture.

Best Souvenirs to Bring Home

• Narita Yokan (Sweet Azuki Bean Jelly): Narita is historically famous for Yokan. Head to Nagomi-Yoneya (founded in 1899), the originator of Kuriyokan (yokan with whole chestnuts). They sell beautifully packaged bars and bite-sized snack packs that make wonderful, shelf-stable gifts.
• Peanut Monaka: Chiba Prefecture is famous for its peanuts. Look out for peanut-shaped wafer shells filled with sweet peanut white bean paste—they are uniquely local and utterly delicious.
• Artisan Craft Goods: If you want something non-edible, check out heritage shops like Fujikura Shouten for traditional bamboo crafts, including their famous onioroshi (demon) bamboo radish graters, or pick up custom-engraved handmade chopsticks at Narita Yuzen.

Shopping at AEON Mall Narita

If you want to do some shopping, AEON Mall Narita is a massive retail complex that has everything you could possibly need. From Japanese fashion brands and lifestyle goods to an extensive supermarket and diverse dining options, it is a great spot to pick up souvenirs, snacks, and everyday essentials. We made a stop here before reaching our Hotel to have breakfast and buy some necessities (read: snacks).

Where to Stay: Hilton Narita vs. Station-Area Hotels

We stayed at the Hilton Narita, which sits conveniently between the airport and the Narita train station. While its isolated location is its main downside, the hotel makes up for it by providing complimentary shuttle services running between the airport – hotel and between train station/AEON Mall – Hotel. And to my delight, there is 7-Eleven store (making late night snack activities very convenient) and Seven Bank ATM in the lobby. The hotel rooms are spacious, and the breakfast spread offers an impressive variety. Overall, it is a very comfortable stay if you enjoy resort-style amenities.

However, if you prefer ultimate convenience and walkability without relying on a shuttle schedule, consider staying right around Narita Train Station:

• APA Hotel Keisei Narita Ekimae: Highly popular, exceptionally close to the station, clean, and features convenient access to local convenience stores and restaurants.
• Richmond Hotel Narita: Known for spotless, functional rooms, great service, and a location that places you steps away from both JR and Keisei Narita stations.
• Hotel Welco Narita: A reliable mid-range option directly facing the station area, making transit to the airport or a day trip to Sawara completely seamless.
• Comfort Hotel Narita:  Another reliable, budget-friendly 3-star property known for its exceptional convenience, cleanliness, and value.

Getting Around: Public Transportation Guides

Getting to Narita Town from Narita Airport

Reaching Narita town from the airport using public transportation is quick and straightforward:

• By Train: Take either the JR Line (Narita Line) or the Keisei Main Line from Narita Airport Station (or Terminal 2·3 Station). The ride to Narita Station (JR) or Keisei-Narita Station takes only about 10 to 15 minutes and costs a few hundred yen.
• By Bus: Local bus routes also connect the airport terminals directly to the downtown station areas if you prefer a direct road transfer.

Getting from Narita to Tokyo

Moving from Narita out to central Tokyo is very efficient thanks to express rail links:

• Keisei Skyliner: The fastest option. It connects Narita Airport directly to Nippori Station (with onward connection to Yamanote Line) and Ueno Station in roughly 36 to 41 minutes. It is comfortable, features reserved seating, and runs frequently.
• JR Narita Express (N’EX): Great if you are heading straight to Tokyo Station, Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Yokohama without needing to transfer. The trip to Tokyo Station takes about 53 minutes.
• Access Express / Rapid Trains: Budget-friendly commuter trains run by Keisei and JR lines are cheaper alternatives, though they take longer (around 60 to 90 minutes) and make multiple regular stops along the way.

Day Trip Idea: Step Back in Time at Sawara

Just 30 minutes away by train from Narita lies Sawara, a stunning historical district often called the “Little Edo” of Chiba Prefecture. Preserved canal districts lined with old merchant houses, willow trees, and traditional flat-bottom boats make it feel like you have stepped straight back into Japan’s samurai era.

If you time your visit for summer, Sawara hosts its own magnificent UNESCO-recognized float festival—the Sawara Matsuri—which is widely considered one of the Kanto region’s top float festivals. It makes for an incredible, crowd-free cultural excursion just a short ride from Narita. We were super lucky that we managed to observe both summer festivals in Narita and Sawara and they were super special.

Our Thought

Most travelers treat Narita Airport as a mere doorway to Tokyo, rushing past without a second glance. But slowing down to explore Narita reveals a charming side of Japan defined by centuries-old temples, electric summer festivals, world-class unagi, incredible street snacks, and rich cultural neighbors like Sawara. Whether you choose to stay near the station or enjoy a resort property, giving Narita a couple of days on your itinerary turns a simple layover into an unforgettable destination in its own right.