8 Hour layover in Tokyo

[chaz]

Hi,
I have an 8 hour 15 minute layover in Tokyo on my way back from Palau, and was wondering if anyone familiar with the airport,transportation, immigration process could advise me if I would have time to take a quick trip into a downtown area for an hour or two.
Is there anyplace to store my carry-on case either at the airport or the train station?
What sights might I have time to see given the short schedule?
Any other advice?

 

[Rickg]

Hi,
I have an 8 hour 15 minute layover in Tokyo on my way back from Palau, and was wondering if anyone familiar with the airport,transportation, immigration process could advise me if I would have time to take a quick trip into a downtown area for an hour or two.
Is there anyplace to store my carry-on case either at the airport or the train station?
What sights might I have time to see given the short schedule?
Any other advice?

Chaz,

Narita International Airport is actually located on Chiba Peninsula and quite a distance from Tokyo City.

NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OFFICIAL WEBSITE

I fly in and out of Japan 4-5 times year and wouldn't even consider trying to back and forth to somewhere in Tokyo city with just an 8 hour layover unless you are very familar with getting around Japan.

Here is what you are looking at:

- 30 mins (maybe more) to clear immigrations and customs even if you don't have anything to declare
- 1 to 2 hour train or bus ride depending upon where you want to go in Tokyo
- 1 to 2 hour train or bus ride back to airport
- recommend you be at airport minimum of 2 hours prior to departure for international flights

It doesn't leave you much free time to do anything once you get to Tokyo.

Here is a link to the Narita Airport guidebook

NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OFFICIAL WEBSITE - Airport Guide:Connecting Flights

and here are some options for things to do in the Narita area:

http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/connect/book/17-18.pdf

http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/connect/book/19-20.pdf

http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/connect/book/21-22.pdf

 

[sushimassa]

damn.... 8 hours at Narita... I feel for ya man...

 

[RikRaeder]

If the timing is right, you can catch the Narita Express (one hour to Tokyo Station) and schlepp around the station for awhile (it's super-huge), but as Rick G mentioned, be careful not to get lost or take too many wrong turns or you might miss your flight out!

 

[Rickg]

damn.... 8 hours at Narita... I feel for ya man...

Better than the 17 hour layover we have in Singapore on our way to the Maldives after driving from San Diego to LAX and then flying to Singapore via Tokyo

What we will do to go diving

But at least the price was right. I was able to get R/T tickets from LAX to Male for myself and my wife for only 90,000 United miles for each of us.

 

[The Mushroom King]

yep making it in to tokyo would be a bit hazardous with only 8 hours. You could go to Narita. Narita airport is (obviously) very close to Narita city. I would guess there is nothing there to see but might be a tad more fun then staying in the airport the whole time if the weather is ok.
Sightseeing Guide

how was palau?

 

[jagfish]

Quick trip to Disneyland......? Heck of a lot closer....

 

[iflylow]

The Star Alliance lounge in Narita is pretty nice. I could (and usually do!) spend some time there drinking (free drinks) and munching while sitting in a massage chair...