There are several reasons that people stay out near Narita – some people work with the airlines, others like to be near the airport for their flight and others are stuck out near Narita due to delays or layovers.
The town of Narita is actually very quaint and is a beautiful place to spend a day if you’re out in that part of town.
Rent Kimono before exploring the city or the gardens and temples
Rent kimonos on the main shopping street
I went with a blue kimono! The shop was called ‘Kimono Studio Hanabi.’
The stylist was so amazing with hair! I would never be able to recreate this in a million years! Rental is around 4000 yen.
This shop is 3 mins walk from JR Narita Station. Kimono Studio Hanami is open from 10am-6pm. They can store some smaller items for you but for suitcases you will need to email in advance (details on their website.)
Naritasan Temple and Garden (including the Narita Calligraphy Museum)
Naritasen Temple is just 11 mins from Narita International Airport by cab (approx 2,800 yen) or 7 mins in a train to Keisei-Narita Station and then 18 mins walk.
The gardens here are beautiful – especially in Spring and Autumn. I have written in more detail about Naritasan Temple and Garden here.
And just ten mins walk is the Narita Calligraphy Museum.
And then there is the Naritasan Temple (no photos allowed inside.)
Try Unagi (eel) for lunch and traditional Japanese desserts afterwards.
Also, I had no idea that Narita was famous for eel ! So we definitely had to eat some for lunch. The way to eat eel is served on rice (the eel meat is marinated in a soy-based sauce.)
I recommend trying Surugaya ( a restaurant that specializes in Eel) with a fantastic view of the Naritasan temple grounds. Surugaya has been open since 1798!!!
This is a walk-in restaurant only, no reservations. This restaurant is a bit on the pricey side (freshwater eel is a delicacy) and I would budget for around 6500 yen per adult. This restaurant is entirely non-smoking and accepts most major credit cards.
Please note that they are closed every Thursday.
Warning : the streets in the area are filled with unagi (eel) eateries and it might be best to avoid watching them prep the eels for cooking until after you’ve had lunch. It’s a bit confronting.
I’m always taken back by the streets in Narita. So much character.
Nearby is an adorable traditional Japanese teahouse called Miyoshiya that serves beautiful traditional desserts. The setting was so pretty – there were even lots of customers who were there on dates.
Eat dinner at a Japanese Izakaya in Narita
Japanese izakaya Sawaraya is family-friendly.
It is friendly and not flashy – but in all the right ways. The food is yummy and the vibe is casual and friendly.
The restaurant is called Sawaraya and is down a little back street so you might need google maps to get you in the right spot.
I especially recommend ordering the agedashi tofu and the sashimi. I also loved their Lemon Sours (they are alcoholic.)
Note that they are closed on Sundays. Open from 4pm – midnight. They welcome kids and babies and also have space for strollers.
They have a simple menu in English and for more frequently changing options, it’s quite easy to make it work either way as the menu has pictures.
Sawaraya accept most major credit cards. For adults I would budget around 4500 yen per head.
Museum of Aeronautical Sciences.
1o mins by cab from Narita Airport (approx 2200 yen) or 8 mins by bus from Narita Airport Terminal 2
This indoor and outdoor museum is so cute and so interesting for kids AND grown ups!
I have written in detail about the Museum of Aeronautical Sciences here.
Farm to Table Buffet Restaurant with a play area and plane viewing spots
There is a farm-to-table buffet lunch spot 18 mins from Narita International Airport in a cab (approx 4000 yen).
Other nearby options inclube the Chiba Prefectural Open Air Museum ( 30 mins drive from here) OR the Museum of Aeronautical Sciences. (3 mins drive or 16 min walk)
It is called Fuwari and is located in a small town called Shibayama. It is the most delicious farm-to-table buffet restaurant.
Many of the vegetables are grown locally and I could see immediately why this restaurant is so popular with the locals and I’ve been back a few times since.
This place is such a gem.
You will need to book ahead and you will need to ask a Japanese speaker to make the reservation by phone for you.
There is also a play area in repurposed train carriages as well as a bakery and supermarket.
I have written about Fuwari, the playground and the shops nearby in detail here.
The Chiba Prefectural Open Air Museum (Boso no Mura)
This outdoor museum is truly stunning.
It is 23 minutes from Narita International Airport by cab (approx 4,700 yen.)
It is a little Japanese town and is often used as a movie set for period dramas (especially Samurai stories etc.). In fact, some of the recent AU (phone company) commercials were filmed here.
It would be so easy to spend a full day here.
I have written in detail about Chiba Prefectural Open Air Museum (also called Boso no Mura) here.
I also loved participating in the Japanese tea ceremony, dressing up as a samurai and walking through the old Japanese homes.
This place is also a photographers heaven. You’ll want to take pictures of absolutely everything.
Get in some last minute shopping:
If you’re staying at the Hilton near Narita Airport there is a free shuttle (otherwise a 10 min taxi for 2500 yen from the airport) to Aeon Shopping Mall. There is a food court, souvenir options and lots of Japanese snacks. to buy.
See here for my tips for Narita Airport with kids
