Tokyo Narita Airport

I arrived at Narita Terminal 1 from London Heathrow at around 1015 on a Sunday morning. There was a minimal wait for immigration with 3 or 4 immigration staff on duty processing foreign arrivals. Baggage claim was likewise efficient and I was out of the airport probably within 40 minutes of leaving the aircraft.

Used Terminal 1 this past December and January as a transfer point between Osaka-Itami (ITM) and JFK. Was checked through to my final destination each time at ITM and JFK using ANA so I didn't have to bother checking in again at Narita. But the international check-in area of Terminal 1 is fairly spacious modern and bright though still quite busy. You can kill time at the number of stores and restaurants in the mall-like area (before entering security) along with the massage chairs (which feel pretty good after a 14 hr flight) and outside observation deck which seems to accompany a number of Japanese airports. Immigration usually has a long line but it does move at a reasonable enough pace. Transferring from international to domestic was pretty easy with enough signage and staff ready to handle my bags and inform me that my connecting flight would be delayed. The domestic portion of Terminal 1 offers a lot less in terms of amenities. The waiting area past security could use more seats and felt a little cramped as people were lined up on the floors. Overall though I like Narita for its efficiency and its cleanliness which is true also for my usual airport Kansai Airport.

Arrived on Korean Airs at one terminal and departed on Japan Airlines at another terminal. Process was quick and painless. Departure area for JAL was pretty barren and Internet service took only Japanese coins (since we were transferring we hadn't changed money) and the concessionaire couldn't change money.

Flew in to Narita at a rush hour sort of time. Caught the shuttle to Termanal 2 main building. Got to passport control. I was their for 30 mins when we were told by signs 60 mins. Japanese and Forigen passport desks at the same number. Straight down stairs to Baggage after Passport. My bag was picked up 10 seconds after getting down the stairs. To customs that was a brezze. Caught a train (1st of 3) to Nippori from the airport. A bit pricey but the train service was OK. Good airport I flew out of Kansai and Kansai was good as well. Narita will be my pick for any travel to Japan even only for transit!

The new terminal 1 looks futuristic I can say it looks big but there are only a few shops at the check in counters. Secondly when you want to do a check in it is easy everything is automatic. All you need to do is check in through a machine. A customer officer will be there assisting you if you need any help. Thirdly all the star alliance members are all at terminal one. Overall Narita Airport is friendly airport to go to.

This airport is so far from Tokyo that perhaps rather than improving the train service they should just change the name of the airport so that it doesn't include the word "Tokyo." Just joking of course but in such a train country as Japan I am constantly puzzled at why they haven't improved the service yet. They should take inspiration from Shanghai's maglev. Furthermore a small warning: you should have your passport ready in the train going to the airport because ridiculously you can't even exit the subway without it even though you'll need to produce it another 3 times before you fasten your seatbelt. Another point the airport suffers from a constant reek of tobacco. I always had had this impression of Japan being high-tech enough that they could at least build a sealed low pressure room for smokers if banning smoking really isn't on the agenda there yet. But alas one continues to hope. Last note actually the entire design (proportions use of space aesthetics lighting air quality and architecture) of both terminals belongs to a bygone era. One can hardly count the number of better airports in East Asia at the moment (including 3 right in Japan.) I will vouch though that at least the staff are good at Narita. I've never had a problem with security/customs/immigration (sometimes the lines are long but where aren't they.)

Yes Narita is extremely far from Tokyo. That said we have no other choice for international departures (except to and from Seoul Gimpo). Departing Narita is not pleasant especially from Terminal 1. Mainly because they have long walk times to the United and Northwest gates and it is still under renovation until 2006. Terminal 2 is much better organized and they do have shuttle trains to the outer gates. During busy travel seasons (Golden Week Christmas/New Year's and Obon in August) both terminals are subjected to maximum usage. There will be incredible lines if arriving and departing that's just a fact of life. As a resident of Japan I never have any delay arriving "home" as I can use the Japanese immigration lanes. However I have seen the horrible lines for foreigners. I usually have a quick exit to the baggage and go straight to the limousine bus ticket stand. From the plane opening its doors to taking my seat on the bus it rarely exceeds 40 minutes. Despite the location Narita is efficient considering the volume of traffic that goes in and out. But heaven help anyone who is stuck there during some sort of freak thunderstorm snow storm (which just happened 1/06) or other "emergency". The airlines and airport have no idea what to do with the backlog of passengers trying to get out on the next available flight (as most of the flights in and out of Narita are always full except to Europe). The hotels nearby are fairly awful and expensive with no international TV (the Hilton isn't too bad). Fingers crossed your experience at Narita won't be so bad as others may let you believe.

Arrival is always quite quick but I understand some comments about long lines at immigration. Slow and not efficient. The Narita Express into Tokyo is efficient but quite expensive compared to other cities. Departure at Narita is always a hell. The lines at the check-in area are huge - especially for the flights to US. Narita should organize these check-in area's better. After immigration which is slow again I normally go to the airline lounges immediately.

I use this airport at least once a year and I never have problems.It took me less than half an hour to go through immigration and the immigration personnel are very helpful and polite (unlike Europe (Manchester)). Luggage delivery at Narita is very fast and efficient. Narita is a clean airport plus the toilet are spotless. Unfortunately NRT is far away from the city centre and it took at least 2 hours from Tokyo. Overall I like this airport.

Arriving from Australia at Narita Airport on a Monday evening was like coming home to old friends. The Japanese are unfailingly polite and efficient. I was surprised then to find only two immigration officers stamping passports for non Japanese arrivals. At one stage I counted three hundred people standing in the queue with only two control points. This was clearly a regular occurrence because someone had thoughtfully posted time waiting signs at various points: eg "90 minutes from this point. The fact that the check in desks do not open until ninety minutes before departure is a nuisance for departing passengers. It often takes some organisation to get to Narita from Tokyo and this means a long wait with luggage in hand.