Narita Airport Layover: How We Spent 6 Hours in Narita City

With 5 to 6 hours between flights at Narita Airport, skip the trip into Tokyo and go to Narita city instead: it's about 10 minutes by train. Store your bags at the airport, walk up Naritasan Omotesando, eat grilled unagi, and visit Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. In 2026, Narita Airport's free volunteer-guided tours for transit passengers are running again.

H and I had a 6-hour layover at Narita Airport on our way home from Korea in January 2019. We couldn't decide between taking the train into Tokyo for Ichiran ramen or staying in the airport lounge. Thankfully, H found somewhere closer we could visit during our layover, and it was surprisingly fun!

Free Guided Tours for Transit Passengers (2026)

The Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program runs free tours led by English-speaking volunteer guides, and it restarted its tours on 1 October 2026. There's no tour or guide fee; you only pay your own transport and food. Tour 1 covers Narita city and Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in about 3 hours, and Tour 2 goes to the Edo-period canal town of Sawara (Katori) in about 5 hours. Book on the official programme site.

We went on our own in 2019, and it was easy, but a guided tour is a great option if it's your first time.

Storing Your Luggage at Narita Airport

If you can't check in yet, or you're in transit with your carry-on, store your bags in an airport locker. We left our things in the lockers before setting off. Keep the receipt, and take a photo of it in case you lose it. When we went, lockers cost ¥300 to ¥1,000 depending on size.

Getting to Narita City from Narita Airport

Narita is only a couple of stops from the airport. We took the Keisei line to Keisei Narita Station, about 10 minutes away; it cost ¥260 each way in 2019. JR also runs trains from the airport to JR Narita Station next door. Check the return train times before you start exploring, as weekday and weekend timetables differ.

Naritasan Omotesando

The street up to the temple, Naritasan Omotesando, is lined with restaurants and shops selling traditional crafts and snacks. Grab a couple of dorayaki and start exploring. It's also a good place to pick up last-minute Japanese souvenirs, other than at the airport. We even spotted lots of locals in traditional dress, as it was New Year.

Grilled Unagi in Narita

Narita is famous for freshwater eel, and you should definitely try it here. The city is one of the oldest places in Japan to serve eel. The eel is soaked in sauce and grilled. It was definitely better than Man Man in Singapore!

There are many unagi shops in Narita, and the most popular is Kawatoyo. Unfortunately, it only took cash when we visited, and we were short, so we went to the restaurant next door instead. Its grilled unagi was the best I'd ever had. Hopefully one day we'll make it to Kawatoyo! Bring enough yen, and expect a queue at lunchtime.

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple and Park

Next, walk up to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, built to worship the Buddhist deity Fudo Myoo. The temple grounds are huge, and a path leads on to Naritasan Park. We were short on time, so we skipped the park.

Overall, we found the trip to Narita city well worth it. It saves travelling time compared with going into Tokyo, and you get to experience the culture and eat delicious grilled unagi. We highly recommend it if you have a layover at Narita.

Longer layover or an early flight? Compare hotels near Narita Airport on Agoda. If you'd rather head into Tokyo, the Keisei Skyliner reaches Ueno in about 45 minutes. For more ideas, see our things to do during a layover at Narita.

FAQ

Can I leave Narita Airport during a layover?

Yes, if your nationality and visa status allow entry to Japan and you have enough time. Allow for immigration both ways and be back about 2 hours before your next flight, so you need at least 5 hours. Singapore passport holders can enter Japan visa-free for short stays.

How do I get from Narita Airport to Narita city?

Take the Keisei line to Keisei Narita Station or the JR line to JR Narita Station. It's about 10 minutes, and the stations are next to each other. From there, Naritasan Omotesando leads up to the temple.

Are the free Narita Airport tours running in 2026?

Yes. The Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program restarted its free volunteer-guided tours on 1 October 2026. Tour 1 covers Narita city and Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in about 3 hours. You only pay for your own transport and food.

Where can I store luggage at Narita Airport?

Use the coin lockers or luggage storage counters in the terminals. Lockers fill up, so you may have to wait. Keep your receipt and take a photo of it.