Tokyo Narita Airport

Transferred through Narita airport arriving from the US and heading into Korea a few hours later. Passed through immigration to enjoy the landside. Has a notorious dysfunctional layout. I was unlucky to encounter the worst case scenario departing from Terminal 1 but having to taxi to runway 16L. As a result the taxi time itself already was over 20 minutes. Except for that the facilities are mostly quite well maintained. Spotlessly clean. Plenty of places to dine and shop. Convenience facilities like shower rooms also available. Carts free wherever you go. Free wifi also available. A spacious observation deck. Not many people speak decent English. Another rather big disappointment involves the never-ending queues at immigration and transfer desks. My impulsive decision to hit the landside was made when I arrived at the transfer desks with so many people that they were not even able to stand in lines. Immigration was not much better but at least in a seemingly interminable line for foreigners. Despite the efforts of the officers to divert some people off to the counters for Japanese nationals it took over 30 minutes just to pass immigration. Another minus 2 point for this. In conclusion a very well-maintained airport with professional people running it although some issues regarding the terrible layout long queues at immigration and transfer desks and multiple frustrations after failing to communicate in English almost everywhere I went in the airport complex.

Flew into Narita from Frankfurt arriving into T1. Flight landed on time at 07.50 and walked into the terminal building. All looked pretty much as you would expect from an airport until Immigration where the queue seemed to be of Disneyland proportions snaking off into the distance out of site to re-enter the main Immigration Hall Again. Time spent queuing was more than 60 minutes before being processed into the country. To be fair the staff did their best to manage the queue and did eventually open more Passport Gates but it did make for a great first impression. That said Baggage Reclaim was very quick as all the bags had been delivered and had carefully been put into rows by the original Carousel. There was a final inspection at Customs before formally entering the country. In the Arrivals Hall there were clear signs in Japanese and English and a short walk to catch the direct train to Tokyo Station. Overall everything was OK except the length of the Immigration Queue.

I have flown through both Terminal 1 and T2. T1 has a 60s look and feels dated. Crowded and noisy. Not Terminal 2. This Terminal is modern and shiny. Transited through this terminal on TG en-route from LAX to BKK. Lots of shiny metal walls. It maybe a bit impersonal as someone here said but I personally prefer a large modern and quiet airport to an excessively lively and noisy one. Snacks and drinks are a bit overpriced. Japanese staff are a bit mechanical but very pleasant. Fantastic Airport.

Terminal 2. Its clean and tidy. Toilets clean and comfortable. There are a lot of restaurants and shops. Food is cheap and nice. FREE wi-fi is everywhere and after immigration there is a free internet cafe. Immigration and customs was quick as well. Less than 30 minutes upon disembarking the plane collecting my luggage to exiting customs. No stress to transit at Narita airport.

Used airport to transit between US Mainland & Guam. Arrived via HND and transited on train over to NRT. Had to take 3 different trains but took only about 70 minutes and easier than expected. No problem catching train even at 5.30 am. Narita Skyliner train from downtown especially nice. Signage from NRT train station to proper check-in desk vague. At check-in agents insist on helping with check-in kiosk who seemed unable to get kiosk to read anyone's passport which then required a second wait to see an additional agent. Security was quick gate was easy to find and had plenty of seating. As with many Japanese airports there are few places to eat. The area I was in had a small coffee shop and a snack bar both of which took Yen only. On return flight I had a small issue at security because I had not yet obtained my boarding pass for my connecting flight because I caught an earlier flight from GUM (transit passengers must still clear security at NRT but transit desk is after security) but after security agent consulted supervisor I was finally let through. Since I had more time I did some exploring of terminal 1 and did find a Japanese snack bar that took foreign currency. All facilities were very clean everything was well signed (except at the train arrival) and flight information boards were plentiful and easy to read.

Passed through NRT twice this month: arriving in Japan and transferring to a domestic flight to Osaka-Itami then departing directly from NRT. On arrival immigration and customs proceeded very quickly and smoothly. There was no transfer luggage deposit even though both flights were JAL. I had to wheel the luggage down to the other end of the terminal join a line (with no business class by-pass) and check-in again to deposit luggage for Itami even though I already had boarding pass and bags were "checked through" to Itami. The 2 hour connection time was barely enough. Don't believe JAL when they tell you that 90 min is sufficient. Departure from NRT was smooth and fast with beautiful business class lounge providing good food and comfortable working environment.

Since the mid 90s I have only used the newer Terminal 2. Always efficient both coming into and leaving the airport. My only two gripes are: that sometimes immigration for tourists can take a long time. I travel often with my Japanese partner and he has been quite surprised how long I have had to wait. Staff are always courteous. My second gripe was that last June I was waiting in the arrival lobby having cleared customs waiting for my partner and a security guy came up to see my passport and ask me what I was doing in Japan. Courteous but an annoyance. There is WiFi throughout the terminal fast and easy to operate and shopping is quite good. The restaurants are fairly good. If you fly JAL their check-in counters are computerized and superior to Qantas at Narita.

My flight from the US arrived at a fairly busy time in Narita but Japanese immigration and customs was quick and efficient (less than 30 minutes upon disembarking the plane collecting my luggage to exiting customs) when compared with my return through the counterpart facilities at LAX (which required 80 minutes with respect to similar passenger numbers at Narita). Moreover all of the Japanese agents were far more pleasant and polite while actively seeking to process passengers with as little inconvenience as possible. Its too bad that the agents at LAX do not share the same professionalism and civility one can only wonder what visitors/tourists to the US think when they encounter our customs and immigration officials.

The airport's ambience particularly Terminal 1 is a reflection of Japanese culture. Spacious halls practical designs that are neither overwhelming or underwhelming. This all makes the airport feel much smaller which is a good thing.

SIN-NRT-Sapporo and back went here for last two years twice. Ambience very good check-in times fair but dining options not that good. Massage chairs around airport are nice and comfortable very clean.