Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program
Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program
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If you have a layover of several hours at Narita Airport, or if you are staying at a hotel in the Narita area and are looking for a way to spend a half-day, don’t miss the opportunity to take part in one of these Japanese cultural experiences or to see the best sights around! 【Volunteer Guide Tours】※Reception hours：9:00-12:00 All tours are run by local guides who get you safely to and from the airport and who help ensure that you are able to experience the warmth and hospitality of Japan.【Self Tours】※Reception hours：9:00-17:00(Except Kozaki-town course) All tours are self-guided, allowing you more time to shop as well as providing special offers and discounts.
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Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
208 reviews
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travel4evr1
37 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
I had a 12 hour layover in Narita. I reserved the Tour 1, 3 hour guided tour to the Shinshoji temple. My guide was Tajima san, a sweet old man who was kind enough to wait for me since I couldn't make it in time for our 9am start. We took the train to the temple stop, then walked along the street(which was filled with people due to the new year) and my guide pointed out shops and delicacies. I even bought some red bean candies as gifts. The temple is beautiful and dates back hundreds of years. We walked around a bit , but since I had to be back by 2pm, we didn't spend much time in the park inside ( it has artificial waterfall and is very serene to relax if you have enough time). I really wanted to have Unagi, and the tour had advertised that there was the option to visit a famous restaurant for this. But my guide told me that it would take too long and instead took me to another restaurant that apparently is a partner or associated with this program( so if you really want to visit the famous unagi place, I would make sure you mention this upfront at the airport itself). At the small restaurant, my guide suggested a dish with little unagi that he said was cheaper, but I went for the bigger version (I think it may be 30$ or so). I think he was a bit surprised by this, but I really enjoyed the food !. We then got the train back in time for my transfer. I had read in some review that it wouldn't be right to give cash tip, so at the candy shop I had gotten an extra gift which I gave to my guide.
I would recommend this program to future travelers as a nice way to spend your layover .
I would recommend this program to future travelers as a nice way to spend your layover .
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for participating in our Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program!
We are very glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour with our volunteer guides.
We will be sure to let our volunteer guide Mr.Tajima know.
He will be glad to hear that!!
I hope you will come back to Japan some day in the near future!!
Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program
Written January 22, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jubaanne
New South Wales, Australia634 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
A fabulous program staffed with complimentary tour volunteers. They have set tours that you can pre book via the web so you can be assured of an available guide and can plan your time in Narita. I had flown in late the previous day and caught the Narita View hotel free shuttle to/from the airport the next day. I had the pleasure of spending time 9am to 2pm with wonderful guide Yoshiko on a trip to the little rivertown of Sawara, full of original old buildings. Yoshiko guided me easily through the rail system (you pay for own expenses like rail tickets and lunch) she was happy to personalise local shopping time in her program as I was a solo partipant. We had some saki tasting and brilliant traditional lunch (optional) strolled around the town with her providing excellent english on points of interest and my many questions about Japanese culture and etiquette. She safely delivered me back to the airport in time to meet incoming family on a flight. I can highly recommend this service for tourists even if you are not transiting but staying locally in Narita. Also keep your participant sticker as you are able to use it to access IASS executive lounge2 with your boarding pass or copy of flight itinerary. In all a wonderful introduction tour for a first timer to Japan. Highly recommended.
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for participating in our Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program!
We are very glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour with our volunteer guides.
I hope you will come back to Japan some day in the near future!!
Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program
Written February 15, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
_jess_peet
Cincinnati, OH3 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
My husband and I had a 10 hour layover at Narita airport so we wanted to venture out a bit. So glad we did! Mr. Yamamoto Teruo and Ms. Katie Shibata were simply fantastic guides and took us on an amazing 3 hour walking tour through Narita’s Omotesando Street and the temple grounds. We were in safe hands from the beginning, donning our pink tour vests and being escorted by subway one stop to the destination. The street was filled with people coming to see the temple for the holiday. There were so many shops and restaurants, complete with the traditional eel preparation demonstrations for the signature unagi dish. The temple grounds were spectacular. Our guides provided excellent insights and humor. You can tell they love what they are doing and take much pride in their service.
Would highly highly recommend for a few hours layover.
Would highly highly recommend for a few hours layover.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for participating in our Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program!
We are very glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour with our volunteer guides.
We will be sure to let our volunteer guide Mr.Teruo Yamamoto and Ms.Kazuko Shibata know.
They will be glad to hear that!!
I hope you will come back to Japan some day in the near future!!
Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program
Written January 6, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Julianne S
Springfield, MO6 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
My husband and I came to Japan for our honeymoon and the night before we left I stumbled upon this organization and I am so glad I did!! We had one day in Narita before going to Tokyo and I set up one of the bus tours. Expecting there to be more people because it was a bus tour we were expecting it to be a relatively average tour but for an amazing cost.
No one else had joined the tour!! It ended up being just my husband and I plus our wonderful volunteer tour guide Norio Yamada. He was such a sweet man, offering to take pictures, and getting to know us. There was a women there too but I don’t recall her name. Both were incredibly good to us! Once they found out we were their for our honeymoon they told everyone we met! It was almost like getting a tour from long last Japanese grandparents. They were so excited to show us around and show us off to the people they knew. Highly highly recommend!! And if given the choice, Norio Yamada is a wonderful guide!
No one else had joined the tour!! It ended up being just my husband and I plus our wonderful volunteer tour guide Norio Yamada. He was such a sweet man, offering to take pictures, and getting to know us. There was a women there too but I don’t recall her name. Both were incredibly good to us! Once they found out we were their for our honeymoon they told everyone we met! It was almost like getting a tour from long last Japanese grandparents. They were so excited to show us around and show us off to the people they knew. Highly highly recommend!! And if given the choice, Norio Yamada is a wonderful guide!
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for participating in our Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program!
We are very glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour with our volunteer guides.
I hope you will come back to Japan some day in the near future!!
Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program
Written January 8, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
VancityAussie
Vancouver, Canada221 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We only had 12hrs on a layover at Narita and stumbled upon their advertisement on the airport site.
We were worried it might be pretty cookie cutter and not worth the money. But wow. Fighting through jetlag to see some authentic sites around Narita was awesome.
Highly recommend the all day bus tour if you have time - we visited a recreated ancient Japanese village, a local grocery store with sushi for lunch and a extremely peaceful temple.
The tour moved at the perfect pace, it was an extremely small group when we went and felt like we got the vip treatment.
Definitely escape the airport terminal if you can for a tour. Really worth it and wish we could have stayed longer in Narita to enjoy more.
We were worried it might be pretty cookie cutter and not worth the money. But wow. Fighting through jetlag to see some authentic sites around Narita was awesome.
Highly recommend the all day bus tour if you have time - we visited a recreated ancient Japanese village, a local grocery store with sushi for lunch and a extremely peaceful temple.
The tour moved at the perfect pace, it was an extremely small group when we went and felt like we got the vip treatment.
Definitely escape the airport terminal if you can for a tour. Really worth it and wish we could have stayed longer in Narita to enjoy more.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for participating in our Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program!
We are very glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour with our volunteer guides.
I hope you will come back to Japan some day in the near future!!
Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program
Written January 22, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Travelmaven625
Washington DC, DC26 contributions
Sep 2019
This is another long overdue review. I frequently pass through and often overnight near Narita airport on my way to/from Asia. I have been to the town of Narita (very nice to walk around--temples, parkland, restaurants, small shops) several times to kill a few hours before my flight. It is an easy 15 minute train ride from the airport. I usually have breakfast and store my bags at the airport and then take the train. It is a very peaceful town to visit, walk, sit and read (also a great flea market on certain days). The last time I flew in, I saw a sign for free tours by volunteers prior to going to my hotel. I showed up as the sign indicated, by 9 the next morning and there were about 25 people there, as well as a good number of locals, most of whom appeared to be retirees. We chose which place we wanted to go and were matched up with a guide (mostly 1:1 it seemed). I am not sure how many languages are spoken by the guides. I had a lovely woman named Noriko, and while I had visited Narita previously, it was really nice and relaxing to go with someone who knew places I hadn't discovered, as well as a good place to have a meal before we left so I could catch my flight. It was particularly nice to chat for a few hours as a cross-cultural experience. I highly recommend this as a nice way to visit some pretty/interesting sites around the airport, and share an enriching experience with a new friend.
Written August 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Camie R
Buchanan, ND8 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We had a wonderful time on our rainy day cultural tour of Narita with guide EiJi Ozawa (we also had a very sweet woman who was in training). Mr. Ozawa was quite happy and proud to show us around. He took good care of us, gave excellent explanations at each location and was attentive to the time so we made it to locations at specific times to see highlights such as the “Puppet Clock” and the Fire Ceremony at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. All sites visited were stunningly beautiful and we enjoyed this cultural experience with or guide(s). Thank you to the Narita Transit & Stay program for offering these tours and to the wonderful volunteer guides. This excellent program allowed us to get out of the airport during our lengthy layover to see your beautiful city and meet some very lovely people!
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for participating in our Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program!
We are very glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour with our volunteer guides.
I hope you will come back to Japan some day in the near future!!
Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program
Written March 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John S
Arlington, VA3 contributions
Dec 2019
My wife and I were on a long layover in NRT and we wanted to stretch our legs and see some sights. We met our guide Fumiko Kandori and she took us on a wonderful tour. She helped us find a place to securely store our bags and showed us how to use the subway. Then she took us on a tour around Narita; we did window shopping, sampled tea, saw an ancient temple, and walked around before stopping for a delicious sushi lunch. Fumiko even customized it to ensure we saw some highlights before we had to return to the airport for our next flight. It felt like so much more than a layover tour! We'd highly recommend this to anyone who has a few hours to spare on a layover at NRT.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for participating in our Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program!
We are very glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour with our volunteer guides.
We will be sure to let our volunteer guide Ms.Fumiko Kandori know.
She will be glad to hear that!!
I hope you will come back to Japan some day in the near future!!
Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program
Written January 1, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cleo F
Jim Thorpe, PA33 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
The best airline fares from the US to Southeast Asia seem to go through Tokyo with long layovers these days.
We were going to Borneo. Had a 19 hour layover on the way out, 10 hours on the return.
On the way out we booked a room at Tobu Hotel. It was clean, $70 a night, and a 5 minute free shuttle bus away from the airport. It took about an hour and a half to get through the quarantine, immigration and customs to enter the country, about an hour to get back into the airport.
On our return trip we decided 10 hours would not give us enough time for one of the same day adventures people are advertising at the airport, so we’d try to get some sleep, since we’d come in on an overnight from Kuala Lumpur.
We’d seen sleeping rooms in terminal 2 on our way out, but there were only 10 of them and they were booked. The attendant told me they were the only sleeping facility at the airport. I think she misunderstood the question.
I found Nine Hours Narita online. They advertised a 2 pm checkin, and seemed to have limited availability, so I booked 2 pods, one for me and one for my husband, on booking.com. Our plan arrived at 7 am, so I booked for the day before, thinking we’d have the space from nine to one.
Nine Hours is located at the far end of the commercial space around terminal 2. We got there at nine, but were told they considered us a no show and cancelled our reservation at 4 am. We didn’t know what else to do with our layover, so we paid for the space again. We’d paid $140 on booking.com for the 2 spaces, when we got there we were able to pay the hourly rate, which amounted to $23 each for 4 hours. There were 58 spaces on the male and the female side, and only a few guests, so a reservation was not necessary.
Once we got past the payment, the space was wonderful. Spotlessly clean, and quiet.
We walked past another sleeping /shower space on terminal 1.
We were going to Borneo. Had a 19 hour layover on the way out, 10 hours on the return.
On the way out we booked a room at Tobu Hotel. It was clean, $70 a night, and a 5 minute free shuttle bus away from the airport. It took about an hour and a half to get through the quarantine, immigration and customs to enter the country, about an hour to get back into the airport.
On our return trip we decided 10 hours would not give us enough time for one of the same day adventures people are advertising at the airport, so we’d try to get some sleep, since we’d come in on an overnight from Kuala Lumpur.
We’d seen sleeping rooms in terminal 2 on our way out, but there were only 10 of them and they were booked. The attendant told me they were the only sleeping facility at the airport. I think she misunderstood the question.
I found Nine Hours Narita online. They advertised a 2 pm checkin, and seemed to have limited availability, so I booked 2 pods, one for me and one for my husband, on booking.com. Our plan arrived at 7 am, so I booked for the day before, thinking we’d have the space from nine to one.
Nine Hours is located at the far end of the commercial space around terminal 2. We got there at nine, but were told they considered us a no show and cancelled our reservation at 4 am. We didn’t know what else to do with our layover, so we paid for the space again. We’d paid $140 on booking.com for the 2 spaces, when we got there we were able to pay the hourly rate, which amounted to $23 each for 4 hours. There were 58 spaces on the male and the female side, and only a few guests, so a reservation was not necessary.
Once we got past the payment, the space was wonderful. Spotlessly clean, and quiet.
We walked past another sleeping /shower space on terminal 1.
Written January 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rose
Toronto, Canada2 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
Layover time well spent experiencing and learning Japanese cultures and heritage with the Transit and Stay volunteer Mr. Norio Yamada. I greatly recommend this trip to everyone if you want to spend your time memorably on your layover. I will do it again. Domo Arigato Gozaimasu Mr. Yamada.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for participating in our Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program!
We are very glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour with our volunteer guide.
We will be sure to let our volunteer guide Mr.Norio Yamada know.
He will be glad to hear that!!
I hope you will come back to Japan some day in the near future!!
Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program
Written February 21, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Under the current Covid restrictions, if a visitor has more than 20 hours of transit and he must remain airside of the airport (terminal 2), where can he take a rest? And are there any shower facilities? Any food outlets? Appreciate your responses.
Written January 21, 2022
We are connecting at Narita airport and wondering if our schedule would allow a little introduction to Japan.
On February 25, our flight lands at 4:05 pm at NRT. Our connecting flight departs from NRT at 11:50 am on Feb 26
What kind of tour would you suggest? I think an evening tour (is there a night market nearby?) perhaps with dinner in a nice traditional restaurant or cafe would be best. We are staying at the Crown Plaza hotel at Narita Airport.
Written January 30, 2020
I don’t think these tours would work since the airport locations are staffed only until 5pm. My suggestion is to go online to check for nearby sites and restaurants that you could visit by train. It is very easy to get a train out of the airport.
Written January 31, 2020
Hi! May i know is there any package available for the late evening tour? We are in group of 20 might reach Narita Airport at 4pm on August 2020. We will stay at hotel nearby airport and our flight is on the next morning. Thank you.
Written January 12, 2020
We are very sorry that our tour starts at 9am and finish by 2pm, so it's only for passengers who arrive in Narita in the morning.
According to your information, you will arrive in Narita in the evening, so you won't be able to join our Free Guided Tour unfortunately.
If you would like to know and visit tourist spots near the airport, please contact to the Airport Tourist Information which is located in the international arrival lobby.
Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program
Written January 13, 2020
Hi! I'm looking at booking a tour this month, I land at 7 am, hoping to book a three-hour tour starting at 9 am. My next flight is at 4 pm, is this enough turnaround time? Thank you!
Written January 6, 2020
Make sure you make alternate plans in case their tours are full because we couldn't get on. But luckily I had researched how to get where we wanted to go and went by ourselves after hanging around hoping to get a spot.
Written January 6, 2020
We will be arriving at Narita airport on January 15 at 7:40 pm and the next flight will be at 3:00 pm on January 16. Could you please to give us some information:
First, how is about baggage storage in Narita Airport and fee 1 day (total 6 luggages)
Second, we've book hotel near Narita Airport already, and we will check out around 8:00 - 8:30 of January 16. Therefore, could we book the tour Naritasan Shinshoji and visit there about 3 hours because we have to check in luggage for the next flight at 3:00PM. How is about the fee for this tour?
Thank you.
Written December 16, 2019
We will be arriving at Narita airport on Januuary 15 at 7:40 pm and the next flight will be at 3:00 pm on January 16. Is there any place you could recommend us to stay at night time, daytime and we have to check out the hotel before January 16 at 11:00AM. Thank you.
Written December 11, 2019
Thank you for your inquiry to our Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program.
Unfortunately, we don't have any information about hotels.
Please refer to Narita airport official website to look for hotels.
Thank you for your understanding.
Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program
Written December 13, 2019
PMCSEA
Seattle, Washington
Hello! We have a 12-hour layover at Narita Airport arriving Narita Airport via JetStar at 6:10am on Thursday, January 9th & leaving Narita at 6:15pm via United Airlines. 1) What Transit Tour do you recommend? I am traveling with a family of 4 people.
2) Do you have suggestions on where to store our 8 check-in large luggages & 4 small carry-ons at a reasonable or cheaper storage price? Thank you!
Written December 6, 2019
Hi, I believe Transit and Stay opens at 9 or 9:30am. I would highly recommend you take a tour of Narita with them. There is another travel agency desk right next to them. Not sure when they are open, but I am sure it is not free. You can store your luggage and carryon in the lockers right behind the Transit and Stay desk. It is pretty reasonable. Also, take out some cash for lunch and souvenirs. ATM is right next to lockers. I took a same UA flight on the way back and was brought back to the airport around 2:30pm. Timing was perfect! Let me know if you have other questions. I am positive you will enjoy your transit experience:)
Written December 6, 2019
PMCSEA
Seattle, Washington
We have a 12-hour layover at Narita Airport arriving from Manila to Narita at 6:10 on January 9, 2020. Leaving for Seattle at 6:15pm. What Transit Tour do you recommend? I am traveling with a family of 4 people. Thank you!
Written December 6, 2019
I don't have a recommendation per se but I would highly encourage you to email the program for help prior to your trip. My experience was that everyone was very helpful. I received an immediate response specific to my questions. In our case, we couldn't make the scheduled tours but were directed to check in with the counter on arrival. We were so fortunate to meet an available guide who gave us an amazing tour and customized it to fit our interests and time. Don't miss working with this incredible group of volunteers. This was such a welcome surprise for us.
Written December 7, 2019
I have about 8- 9 hrs for my layover . Looking at possibly combining a guided tour and a self-guided . What would be the best combination to make the best use of the time available and get the most diverse experience of Japan?
Written November 7, 2019
Thank you for your inquiry to our Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program.
We are very welcome to have you in our program!
If you are interested in this program, please make a reservation.
Because due to limited number of volunteer guides available, other tours are offered on a first-come-first-served basis.
※The duration of the tours are usually 5 hours(9:00am - 2:00pm).
We are looking forward to see you!!
Thank you very much.
Written November 8, 2019
Hello, we arrive to Narita at 9:20 am on Sunday and will have a layover till 6:30 pm ( we do need to collect our bags) .Is Self-guided tour our only option? what time do you suggest for us to return to the airport by? Thank you !
Written November 6, 2019
Hi Maria. You actually have a very nice length of layover and will have plenty of time for any tour you wish! All the free tours have free guides and there are many different types of tours to choose from. The guides escort you back to the airport by train and make sure you are back in plenty of time to make your next connection. I believe the standard is 3 hrs in advance.
Written November 9, 2019
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