Narita Airport and Japan Tourism were experimenting with conducting short tours for passengers with layovers at Narita Airport, but this seems to have ended; visitors can use the '''Retrobus''' instead (see Get Around).
The airport has two terminals connected by both train and bus. Foreign airlines operate out of either terminal, with Japanese carriers ANA and JAL operating out of terminals 1 and 2, respectively.
The South Wing of Terminal 1 opened in June of 2006, and now most airlines in the '''Star Alliance''' (e.g. ANA, United, Air Canada) operate out of that section (although Air New Zealand operates from Terminal 2). Carriers in the other two major airline alliances are also grouped together: the '''Skyteam Alliance''' (e.g. Continental, Delta, Northwest, Korean Air) operates out of the North Wing of Terminal 1, and the '''OneWorld Alliance''' (e.g. American, British Airways, JAL) operates out of Terminal 2. Check the airport's website just prior to your departure to determine the terminal you will arrive at. On the way to the airport, there are also lists (in English) posted near the doors of trains going to Narita.
There are [http://www.narita-airport.or.jp/airport_e/guide/service/index.html Citibank] cash machines that accept international ATM/credit cards once you leave customs on the arrivals floor of both terminals. Recently, 7-Eleven affiliated [http://www.sevenbank.co.jp/intlcard/atmmap2.html Seven Bank] ATMs accepting foreign cards can also be found throughout the airport.
There are many ways to travel between Narita Airport and central Tokyo. For a first-time visitor, suffering jet-lag, laden with luggage and holding a reservation for a major hotel, '''the easiest option''' is often to take the Limousine Bus direct to the hotel. A '''close second''' is taking one of the express trains to Tokyo or Ueno Station and then transferring to a taxi for the final leg. If taking the bus, note that traffic jams can cause you to reach your destination a lot later than you were told when you boarded.
When departing Narita, the better shops and restaurants are located in the check-in area: after passing security and immigration, all that's really available is expensive duty-free and some convenience store sundries. But remember that Japan restricts liquids in carry-on baggage, and plan to buy drinks for the plane ''after'' security.
If you're at Narita for a connecting flight, you may wish to use the dayrooms and showers inside the terminal, past security. Dayrooms are paid for by the hour; \1000 for the first hour and \500 for each additional hour. The dayroom consists of a bed and a bathroom with a shower. It's a great way to refresh yourself before your next flight. If you just want to take a shower, you can get a shower room for \500 for a half hour. Soap and shampoo are provided, but not things like toothbrushes, toothpaste, shavers, and deodorant, so bring them in your carry-on with your change of clothes. Twin dayrooms are available for \1600 for the first hour and \800 for each additional hour. Dayroom reservations can be made up to a month in advance [http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/svc_37_t1.html]
WiFi is available throughout the airport with the SSID NRT-AIRPORT. Access is quite inexpensive; \500 per 24 hours. [http://www.bizportal.jp/air-en/]
When making a journey-time comparison with other transport methods, one should take account of the time required to travel between one's point of origin and the heliport in Shin-Kiba and the time taken for travel between the helipad at Narita airport and the relevant termnal building. For a journey from the Tokyo station area to Narita Terminal 2, the time difference may be 20 minutes or less.
''IF'' this tickles your interest, keep in mind that the helicopter also has service to Kawajima, Saitama prefecture in 30 minutes (¥235,000 per flight) and Maebashi, Gunma prefecture in 40 minutes (¥355,000).
There are two '''train lines''' from Narita and both will get you into Tokyo. Note that if coming to the airport, each terminal has its own station and it is imperative that you get off at the right one. The stop for Terminal 1 is '''Narita Airport''' (___c___`), and the stop for Terminal 2 is, appropriately, '''Airport Terminal 2''' (___`___Q_r__), pronounced ''k?k? dai-ni biru'', or literally, "Airport Number 2 Building". Lists of airlines and their terminals are posted inside the trains.
Alternatively, you can continue onward in the same train, which sometimes splits in two with the front half heading west to Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Omiya, while the rear cars go south to Shinagawa, Yokohama and Ofuna. Other times, the entire train goes just to one of these destinations. Be sure to confirm where the train is going when buying your ticket. Reservations are required but can be purchased just before boarding if there is space (and there usually is). If there is no space, JR will sell standing tickets for ¥500 less.
JR East sells a '''Suica''' fare card, called "Suica & N'EX" [http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/], exclusively to foreign visitors at a cost of ¥3500 for standard class and ¥5000 for the green car (First class). The cost includes a one-way discounted fare on the Narita Express (standard class or green class, depending on what is purchased) and regular JR lines from the airport to any destination in the Tokyo metropolitan area; ¥1500 to use on rail travel in Tokyo or on purchases at locations that accept the Suica card, and a ¥500 deposit. The "Suica & N'EX" card is sold only at Narita Airport, and can be purchased using cash or credit card. It can also be recharged with additional funds, but only by paying cash. ''(As an example, under this fare a one-way trip on the Narita Express from the airport to Shinjuku in standard class would cost only '''¥1500''', compared to the normal fare of '''¥3110''', but keep in mind that you will have to pay the normal fare to use the Narita Express for your return trip to the airport.)''
JR also operates Rapid trains on the Sobu/Narita line, leaving once per hour and stopping at various points along the way, including Chiba. To Tokyo the trip is approximately 82 minutes and costs ¥1,280. These are normal, non-smoking commuter trains and often get crowded during rush hour (though boarding at Narita Airport should not be a problem).
If you have a voucher for a JR pass, then you should exchange it here at the JR ''View Plaza'' Travel Service Center (Regular JR ticket counter when the ''View Plaza'' is closed), as the Narita Express is free with a Japan Rail Pass. You can also make onward reservations from Tokyo.
The private '''Keisei''' (____) line has trains to central Tokyo and a few that go directly to Haneda airport.
Keisei's '''Skyliner''' [http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/keisei_us/top.html] with reserved seats costs ¥1920 and goes directly from Narita Airport to Ueno or Nippori in one hour, with a brief intermediate stop at Funabashi. Trains usually depart every 40 minutes. Smoking is permitted in the train's end cars (car 1 and car 8).
At Keisei Ueno Station, you can walk over to JR Ueno station to connect to the JR Yamanote line and northbound Shinkansen trains. A faster transfer to the Yamanote line can be done at Nippori Station, as both Keisei and JR share one station.
There are also plans to eventually link Narita Airport to Haneda Airport via the new line, which may pose a serious threat to Airport Limousine bus service between these airports (see "By Bus" below).}}
Keisei also offers a combination ticket for foreigners called the '''"Skyliner & Metro Pass"'''. This special ticket consists of one Skyliner trip from Narita to Nippori or Ueno, plus an open ticket to ride all subway lines operated by '''Tokyo Metro''' for either one or two consecutive days. The cost for the Skyliner and a one-day open ticket on the Tokyo Metro is ¥2100, while the two-day option costs ¥2480. If you intend to use the Tokyo Metro frequently, this combination ticket will save you between ¥530 and ¥860 respectively, compared to purchasing Skyliner and Tokyo Metro open tickets separately. '''Note that this plan does not cover JR trains or subway trains operated by Toei.''' If you board a Tokyo Metro train that continues onto a non-Tokyo Metro railway line, you will have to pay a fare difference.
The budget option from Narita Airport is the limited express Keisei train, which costs ¥1000 to go to Ueno and Nippori. The limited express takes about 20 minutes longer than the Skyliner and can be crowded at rush hour, although boarding at Narita is rarely a problem. No smoking is permitted on these trains, and a Suica or PASMO card (see Tokyo/Get around) can be used.
Note that most, but not all limited express trains go to Ueno and Nippori, so check the train's destination before boarding. A few Keisei trains run through to the '''Toei Asakusa subway line'''. A few trains even go all the way to Haneda Airport on the Keikyu line. But in most cases, you can take a limited express train to '''Aoto''' station, and switch to the train across the platform for service on the Asakusa subway line.
The Asakusa subway line can be used for going to Asakusa (75 minutes from Narita, ¥1120) and Ginza (''Higashi-Ginza station'', 90 minutes, ¥1160). Using a stored farecard (Suica or PASMO) will prove to be convenient.
The Airport Limousine buses make three pickup stops (Terminal 1 North Wing, Terminal 1 South Wing, Terminal 2) and two dropoff stops (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2).
The easiest way to go between Narita City and Narita Airport is by using the '''Retrobus'''[http://www.city.narita.chiba.jp/english/retrobus.html], the tourist bus service operated by Narita City. There are seven daily trips from JR Narita station, stopping at major locations within the city (including the International Cultural Center, AEON Narita Shopping Center and Shinsoji Temple), as well as both terminals of Narita Airport. Buses depart from Narita Airport Terminal 2 at 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, 13:30, 15:00, 16:30 and 18:00; departures from Terminal 1 are 5 minutes later. The first three buses run directly from the airport to the Cultural Center and Shopping Center in about 20 minutes; the last bus at 18:00 only runs to JR Narita station.
It is also possible to go between the city and the airport by using the JR and Keisei local trains. These cost a bit less than \300 each way. The JR and Keisei stations in Narita are quite close to each other and a reasonably long walk from AEON Narita Shopping Center, the temple, et cetera.
There is also a slightly more complex local bus network run by '''Narita Kuko Kotsu'''[http://www.nariku.co.jp/time/hakubutsukan-2.htm] which is mainly useful for accessing the Aviation Museum and industrial areas around the airport. Fares for this line range from \150 to \420 depending on distance.
If you are going into Narita, make sure to get some Japanese ¥ as most places will not take foreign currency. The 7-Eleven outside of the west gate of JR Narita station takes foreign cards 24 hours a day, and there is also a post office with ATM a few blocks down the street from the am/pm store. Also allow a bit of time for exchanging back leftover currency on departure as this is not something you can do at an ATM!
Not that much. There is a large Aeon shopping mall outside of town, which you can get to by bus, if you absolutely have to visit a branch of the sporting goods store "The Sports Authority." There are souvenir stores on the road leading to the temple, as well as a reasonably interesting "100 yen" store -- which actually sells items for ¥105 including consumption tax -- along the way. Still, everything should be cheaper than at the airport.