I just booked my second trip to LOS for mid June. I will have about a five hour layover at NRT on my way in. It is probably to short of time to leave the airport and go sightseeing, but it is a long time to sit around. Is there anything to do in the airport?

 

I would prefer not to bother with exchanging currency if I don't have to. I assume that I can just use a credit card for anything there that I wanted to do or buy. I try to avoid using my cards in LOS, but would think that there wouldn't be as much risk in Japan.

 

Finally, I know that things are expensive in Japan and probably doubly so at the airport. Will I wind up paying $100 for a plate of sushi and a beer?

 

Any advice from the experienced world travellers out there?

Narita is a good 1hr half to downtown, i wouldn't bother if you only have 5 hrs, and it isn't cheap to get downtown, not a lot to do in Narita airport - it:s not Singapore or even Seoul. There are cheap shower rooms available though - to anyone, not just business class, good opp to refresh. Restaurants there are good and not that expensive - pay the usual airport premium but def cheaper than Heathrow and food way better. Narita town has an interesting temple, very popular with the locals at new year - would only take you 30 mins from the airport, train to narita machi, then walk, a few supermarkets and restaurants around the town, very small, ask for narita "jinja" for the temple and someone will show you - Japanese are very tourist friendly. hope it work s!

I buy the japanese candies/cookies for people at work,not expensive.

Then find a restaurant near my gate and drink.They take cc but of course tell your company your traveling .

They also take usd but give change in yen.

Afer 6 trips through Narita i'd like another alternative - ST?

But to difficult to get into Tokyo.

Not sure about the timing, but there is hotel bar at the Narita Radison. Many of the airlines use it for their pilots and flight attendants. Had a great time here a few yea back with a couple of stews from Northwest. It only a 20 minute bus ride.

Narita itself has great rooms with comfy little beds and a shower - you'll feel like a new man after a nap and a shower. I do it every time I'm there.

 

It'll be about 2000 Yen ($20US) for 3 hours. Here's a link:

 

Narita Day Rooms

 

Enjoy.