Narita is synonymous with Tokyo’s international airport. Situated just outside of Tokyo in Chiba Prefecture, it is home to one of Japan’s most important temples – Naritasan Shinshoji, as well as numerous other attractions.
Explore the local markets, take part in traditional festivals such as Yabusame, and relax at a traditional public hot bath. You can also do a lot of shopping at Aeon Town or just wander around on Narita Omotesando Street.
If you have a day or two before your next flight out of Tokyo, we think it’s worth making a pit stop in laid-back Narita. Here are 10 amazing things to do while you’re in the area:
- 1. Visit Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple
- 2. Explore Naritasan Park
- 3. Enjoy a Cuppa at Houei Coffee
- 4. Wander through Narita Omotesando Street
- 5. Shop at Aeon Town Narita Tomisato Mall
- 6. Visit Katori Shrine
- 7. Explore Sakura-no-Yama Park
- 8. Enjoy the Museum of Aeronautical Sciences
- 9. Relax at Yamato-no-yu Sento
- 10. Savour handmade Soba noodles at Higurashi
1. Visit Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple
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Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, located in Narita City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, is an important Shingon Buddhist temple that has been in existence since the year 940. After praying in the temple, you can draw an ‘Omukuji’ fortune slip for just 100 yen. There are also counters selling charms and protective amulets.
Naritasan Shinshoji continues to be an important place for pilgrimage and continues to be one of the most visited temples in all of Japan. In addition, Naritasan hosts numerous festivals throughout the year including the Yabusame festival held during April which features horseback archery contests between warriors dressed in traditional samurai attire.
To reach Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, take the train to either Narita Station or Keisei Narita Station. JR Narita Station is just one stop from the Narita International Airport Terminal 2 Station. From Keisei Narita Station or JR Narita Station, you can walk to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple which is about 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Explore Naritasan Park
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Naritasan Park is admission-free and open daily behind the main hall of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. The 40-acre garden has three lakes and is dotted with several pagodas and shrines. It is also a popular cherry blossom viewing spot for both locals and tourists alike. And when autumn arrives, the park transforms into a sea of red, orange, and yellow leaves.
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3. Enjoy a Cuppa at Houei Coffee
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While there are plenty of vending machines in Japan that serve hot coffee, discovering a specialty coffee shop run by a local is always exciting. The owner of Houei Coffee is very particular about the coffee beans that are used, and they roast the coffee beans in-house. Locals can be seen enjoying coffee in this shop. Coffee enthusiasts can also buy whole coffee beans to recreate the experience at home.
4. Wander through Narita Omotesando Street
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When you’re headed towards the Naritasan Shinsoji Temple, you will definitely walk past this traditional street – Narita Omotesando street lined with shops and restaurants selling local specialties and traditional sweets (wagashi) that pair well with green tea. Along this street, you can also rent kimonos to experience Japan’s Edo period.
5. Shop at Aeon Town Narita Tomisato Mall
If you can’t get enough of shopping at Omotesando street, then you must check out Aeon Town Narita Tomisato. Easily accessible from both Narita Airport and the JR Narita Station, this massive shopping centre is home to 174 different stores selling everything from food to clothing to home goods and more.
6. Visit Katori Shrine
One of the oldest shrines in Japan, located near Narita Airport, it is said to bring good luck to travellers who visit it before their journey begins!
7. Explore Sakura-no-Yama Park
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For avid plane spotters, the park provides a unique and scenic lookout for planes taking off and landing at Narita International Airport. During spring, the park transforms into a postcard-worthy backdrop featuring a sea of pink and white sakura flowers! To experience the beauty of Spring in Japan, the best time to visit is between mid-March and early May.
8. Enjoy the Museum of Aeronautical Sciences
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Explore the fascinating world of aviation at this museum dedicated to all things related to flight! The Museum of Aeronautical Sciences (Kōkū Kagaku Hakubutsukan) is an aviation museum located just outside of Narita Airport. The museum features five floors of interactive exhibits and displays that celebrate the history and science of flight. Visitors can explore a range of models and simulators to get a hands-on experience with aviation.
9. Relax at Yamato-no-yu Sento
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Yamato-no-yu Sento, which has a restaurant, fitness centre, and spa area, is a great place to relax and recharge during a short layover at Narita. Due to its popularity with tourists, the public bathhouse is tattoo-friendly. The transit time from Narita airport to the premise is around 45 minutes. Note that children below the age of six are not permitted at Yamato no Yu. The admission fee is 850 yen (weekdays), 1000 yen (weekends).
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10. Savour handmade Soba noodles at Higurashi
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Located near JR Narita Station, Higurashi is a soba izakaya restaurant that serves delicious buckwheat soba noodles for lunch and dinner. The noodles are made with the highest quality ingredients, giving them a unique flavor and texture. The restaurant also offers yakisoba (fried noodle) dishes as well as other traditional Japanese dishes. The soba izakaya has a cosy atmosphere with window seating and a small bar counter. Price range from 150 yen to 300 yen for yakitori and tempura, and a bowl of soba ranges from 1000 yen to 1800 yen. We recommend getting the duck meat soba along with seafood tempura. The downside is the shop does not have an English menu.
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