5 Best Day Trips from Narita Airport
Landing at Narita Airport with several hours to spare? Don't spend your layover sitting at the gate! Narita Airport is perfectly positioned for exploring some of Japan's most incredible destinations. Whether you have a 4-hour layover or a full day between flights, these carefully selected day trips will transform your wait time into an unforgettable Japanese adventure.
1. Narita City: The Closest and Most Convenient Option
Distance from Airport: 10 minutes by train
Best For: Short layovers (4-8 hours)
Transportation: JR Narita Line or Keisei Line (around 250-290 yen)
Narita City is the easiest day trip you can make from the airport. Just a quick 10-minute train ride away, this charming town offers a perfect slice of traditional Japan without the stress of traveling far.
What to See and Do
The main attraction is Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, a stunning Buddhist temple with over 1,000 years of history. The temple complex is huge and beautiful, with colorful buildings, peaceful gardens, and a three-story pagoda. Every year, millions of people visit this temple, especially during New Year's when it becomes one of Japan's most visited religious sites.
Walking from the train station to the temple is an experience in itself. The Narita-san Omotesando street is lined with traditional shops and restaurants. This is where you'll find Narita's famous grilled eel restaurants. The smell of eel being grilled fills the air, and it's hard to resist trying this local specialty.
For airplane lovers, Sakuranoyama Park is a must-visit spot. This park sits right next to the airport runway, giving you an incredible view of planes taking off and landing. You can almost touch them! During spring, the park is covered with cherry blossoms, making it even more beautiful.
Pro Tip: If you're interested in experiencing Narita's culture more deeply, consider joining a guided tour that includes the temple, local food tasting, and hidden spots that most tourists miss. These tours help you understand the history and traditions better than exploring alone.
2. Tokyo: The Big City Adventure
Distance from Airport: 60-90 minutes
Best For: Long layovers (8+ hours) or overnight stays
Transportation: Narita Express (3,070 yen) or Keisei Skyliner (2,570 yen)
Tokyo might seem far, but it's actually very doable as a day trip from Narita Airport. With fast trains running every 30 minutes, you can be in the heart of Tokyo in about an hour.
Must-Visit Areas
For first-time visitors, Asakusa is perfect. Here you'll find Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's oldest and most famous temple. The approach to the temple, called Nakamise Shopping Street, is packed with shops selling traditional snacks, souvenirs, and crafts.
Shibuya offers the famous Shibuya Crossing, one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world. It's surrounded by shopping, cafes, and the energy of modern Tokyo. Nearby, Harajuku is where youth fashion culture comes alive, and Meiji Shrine offers a peaceful escape in the middle of the city.
If you love traditional Japanese gardens, Ueno Park is wonderful. It has several museums, a zoo, and beautiful spaces to relax. The park is especially stunning during cherry blossom season.
Important Note: Tokyo is huge, so don't try to see everything in one day. Pick 2-3 areas that interest you most and enjoy them properly. If you need help navigating Tokyo, joining a customized day tour from Narita can make your experience much smoother and more enjoyable.
3. Yokohama: Japan's Charming Port City
Distance from Airport: 90 minutes
Best For: 8+ hour layovers
Transportation: Narita Express direct to Yokohama (4,570 yen) or Airport Limousine Bus (3,700 yen)
Yokohama is Japan's second-largest city, but it feels much more relaxed than Tokyo. It's a beautiful waterfront city with a unique mix of Japanese and Western culture.
Top Attractions
Yokohama Chinatown is the largest Chinatown in Japan, with hundreds of Chinese restaurants and shops. The colorful streets, amazing food, and lively atmosphere make it a fun place to explore and have lunch.
The Minato Mirai 21 district is modern and beautiful, with tall buildings, shopping malls, and a stunning waterfront. You can visit the Cup Noodles Museum here, which is surprisingly fun and interesting. Kids especially love making their own custom cup noodles!
Yamashita Park is a peaceful waterfront park perfect for a relaxing walk. From here, you can see the historic Hikawa Maru ship and the Marine Tower. The park is especially lovely during sunset.
Travel Tip: Yokohama works best when combined with nearby Kamakura if you have a full day. Several guided tours offer packages that cover both cities, making the most of your time.
4. Sawara
Distance from Airport: 30-40 minutes
Best For: History lovers, 6+ hours available
Transportation: JR Narita Line to Sawara (510 yen, 30 minutes)
Sawara is a hidden gem that most tourists never discover. This old merchant town has preserved its traditional atmosphere beautifully, making you feel like you've traveled back to the Edo period.
What Makes Sawara Special
The historic district along the Ono River is lined with wooden buildings from the 1700s and 1800s. Many of these old buildings now house shops, cafes, and small museums. Walking through these streets feels magical, especially when you're not surrounded by crowds.
You can take a 30-minute boat ride along the river in a traditional-style boat. This gives you a different view of the old town and is very peaceful and relaxing.
Ino Tadataka Museum honors the man who created Japan's first accurate maps. Even if you're not interested in cartography, the museum shows interesting pieces of Japanese history. Sawara has two beautiful festivals each year (in July and October) where massive decorated floats parade through the town. If your visit matches these times, you're in for a real treat!
5. Nikko
Distance from Airport: 3.5-4 hours
Best For: Full day trip or overnight stay
Transportation: Direct highway bus (4,500 yen, 3 hours 50 minutes) or train via Tokyo
Nikko is further away, but it's absolutely worth the journey if you have time. This mountain town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its incredible shrines, temples, and natural beauty.
Main Attractions
Toshogu Shrine is the most famous attraction in Nikko. This ornate shrine is the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who founded the Tokugawa shogunate. The buildings are covered in gold leaf and detailed carvings. The famous "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" monkey carvings are here.
Nikko National Park offers beautiful nature with waterfalls, lakes, and hiking trails. Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls are especially popular spots. The Shinkyo Bridge, one of Japan's three most beautiful bridges, stands at the entrance to Nikko's shrine area. Its red color against the green forest is stunning.
Planning Note: Because Nikko requires more travel time, it's best for overnight stays or very long layovers. If you're short on time but still want to visit, joining an organized Nikko tour from Narita can help you see the highlights efficiently.
Tips for Day Trips from Narita Airport
Leave Your Bags: Most hotels offer luggage delivery services from the airport. You can also use coin lockers or luggage storage services at the airport - don't carry your suitcase around Tokyo!
Plan Your Return Time: Always plan to return to the airport at least 3 hours before an international flight. Traffic and train delays can happen.
Get an IC Card: Buy a Suica or Pasmo card at the airport. These rechargeable cards work on all trains and buses, making travel much easier.
Check Train Schedules: The last trains from Tokyo to Narita run around 10 PM. Plan accordingly so you're not stranded.
Consider Travel Passes: If you're making multiple trips or visiting several places, look into day passes like the Tokyo Subway Pass or JR passes that cover your routes.
