A guide to Narita Airport (NRT)


Narita International Airport opened in the 1960s as part of an effort to ameliorate the effects of noise from Haneda Airport on the people of Tokyo. 

Aerial of Tokyo city. Image credit: ansonmiao/iStock
Aerial of Tokyo city. Image credit: ansonmiao/iStock

Narita Airport NRT, also known as Tokyo Airport and Japan International Airport, handles a large portion of Japan’s international air traffic, with 42 million passengers passing through its gates each year, most headed to foreign destinations. At this busy, three-terminal airport, having an airport map on hand can make a difference.

Airlines flying out of Narita Airport

Narita Airport’s three terminals are designed around the three major airline alliances. SkyTeam airlines fly out of Terminal 1’s North Wing, Star Alliance airlines use Terminal 1’s South Wing, and oneworld airlines fly out of Terminal 2. Check out this list of airlines at Narita to determine where you should head.

Terminal 1, North Wing

  • Aeroflot
  • AeroMexico
  • Air France
  • Aircalin
  • Alitalia
  • Aurora Airlines
  • China Southern Airlines
  • Delta Airlines
  • Etihad Airways
  • Garuda Indonesia
  • Hong Kong Airlines
  • Jin Air
  • KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
  • Korean Air
  • Royal Brunei Airlines
  • Sichuan Airlines
  • Thai Lion Air
  • Vietnam Airlines
  • Xiamen Airlines

Terminal 1, South Wing

  • Air Busan
  • Air Canada
  • Air China
  • Air Japan
  • Air Seoul
  • ANA All Nippon Airways
  • Asiana Airlines
  • Austrian Airlines
  • EgyptAir
  • Ethiopian Airlines
  • Eva Air
  • Ibex
  • LOT Polish Airlines
  • Lufthansa
  • Miat Mongolia
  • New Zealand Airlines
  • Peach
  • SAS
  • Shandong Air
  • Shenzhen
  • Singapore Airlines
  • South African Airlines
  • SWISS International Airlines
  • Thai Airways
  • Turkish Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • Uzbekistan Airways
  • Virgin Australia

Terminal 2

  • Air Macao
  • Air Niugini
  • Air Tahiti Nui
  • Air India
  • American Airlines
  • Bangkok Air
  • British Airways
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Cebu Pacific Air
  • China Airlines
  • China Eastern Airlines
  • EastarJet
  • Emirates
  • Fiji Airways
  • Finnair
  • Firefly
  • Hainan Airlines
  • Hawaiian Airlines
  • Hong Kong Express
  • Iberia
  • Japan Airlines
  • LATAM Brasil
  • LATAM Chile
  • Malaysian Airlines
  • Mandarin Airlines
  • Nokscoot
  • Pakistan International Airlines
  • Philippines Airlines
  • Qantas
  • Qatar Airways
  • S7 Airlines
  • Scoot
  • Sri Lankan Airlines
  • Thai Air Asia
  • Tigerair Taiwan
  • T’Way Air
  • VietJet Air

Terminal 3

  • Jeju Air
  • JetStar Airways
  • Jet Star Japan
  • Spring Japan
  • Vanilla Air

Lounges at Narita International Airport

Narita Airport is home to many airline lounges that endeavor to make your traveling experience more pleasant.

Terminal 1

ANA Lounges

The ANA Suite Lounge welcomes ANA and Star Alliance first-class passengers with same-day international boarding passes. Business-class and premium economy passengers enjoy access to the ANA Lounge, as do Star Alliance Gold members.

In the ANA Suite Lounge, you can expect to be greeted with a cold towel and a drink as soon as you arrive. Plenty of well-equipped work cubicles are available, as are shower facilities. Dine at the cold buffet and self-serve bar, or take advantage of the excellent noodle bar.

The ANA Lounge uses partitions to create semi-private seating areas. You can get made-to-order noodle dishes at the noodle bar, or choose snacks from the cold buffet — and there’s a sink available to wash your hands before you dine. A well-supplied sake bar is also available. Work cubicles include everything you need except computers, and a smoking room is available. Head to the shower suites or daybeds to relax, or unwind in one of the massage chairs.

Korean Air Lounge

This lounge is open to first-class and business-class passengers not just on Korean Air, but on all SkyTeam airlines. Priority Pass members also may enjoy this lounge. Inside, a separate first-class section provides slightly more comfortable seating. Dining options are limited to pre-packaged snacks and sandwiches.

Delta Sky Club

Premium passengers and Delta Sky Club members with same-day international boarding passes have access to this lounge, as do SkyTeam international premium passengers and American Express Platinum cardholders. Shower facilities are available, as are computer workstations, and most of the lounge has excellent tarmac views. The hot and cold buffet features both Western and Japanese choices, and attendants circulate through the lounge frequently to make sure you have everything you need.

United Club

This spacious lounge, which features runway views and lots of natural light, is open to United Club and Star Alliance members with same-day boarding passes. An ample business center includes workstations, semi-private work cubicles, and private phone rooms. The hot and cold buffet contains mostly Western dishes, along with some sushi.

Narita Premier Lounge

This lounge, which is hosted by the airport itself, caters to business-class passengers from a wide array of international airlines. The lounge features a traditional Japanese tea room, and passengers seeking premium food can also request halal meals. Shower facilities are also available.

Terminal 2

Find a quiet place at the airport to get some work done. Image credit: David-Prado/iStock
Find a quiet place at the airport to get some work done. Image credit: David-Prado/iStock

American Airlines Admirals Club

Admirals Club members, oneworld business-class flyers, and oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members all have access to this lounge. A wide variety of seating is available, including dining tables and semi-private workstations in the business center. The hot and cold buffet is augmented by a self-serve bar and an espresso machine, and shower suites are available as well.

Emirates lounge

This lounge, which was Emirates’ first Asian airport lounge, is open to business-class and first-class flyers on the airline. The lounge offers a small business center and shower suites, and service is exemplary throughout. The hot and cold buffet is excellent and varied, with top-quality sushi, and a dedicated dining area available.

Qantas lounge

While this lounge doesn’t have a business center, several iMac computers are available for use. Food consists primarily of a cold buffet with limited hot dishes, such as soup, available. Shower suites are also offered.

Cathay Pacific lounge

Cathay Pacific and oneworld airline premium travelers enjoy access to this lounge, as do oneworld Sapphire members and Cathay Pacific’s Marco Polo Club members with Silver status or higher. Eight individual work stations are available, partitioned from the rest of the lounge, some with iMacs. The buffet features innovative sandwiches, sushi, and several noodle dishes, as well as a small self-serve bar.

China Airlines Dynasty Lounge

This lounge features a separate area for China Airlines Emerald and Paragon members with boarding passes for international flights. Computers are available for use, and the lounge is rarely crowded. Food offerings are typically limited to pre-packaged food.

Japan Airlines First Class and Sakura Lounges

Japan Airlines hosts both first-class and business-class lounges at Narita Airport. Oneworld first-class passengers and Emerald members have access to the First Class Lounge, and corresponding business-class passengers on oneworld airlines can use the Sakura Lounge.

The First Class Lounge, which is very large, has expansive views through its wraparound windows. The lounge features a smoking room and a business center with plenty of individual work desks. Massage chairs and shower suites are available by reservation. The multiple buffets feature a wide variety of sushi, sake, hot and cold dishes, and self-serve liquor, all beautifully presented. A sushi chef is on duty through most of the day.

The enormous Sakura Lounge, which covers two stories, tends to be crowded at most times, especially in the workstation area. A full-service wine bar and coffee bar provide drinks to order, and multiple buffets provide hot and cold Western and Japanese dishes. Nap rooms are available with daybeds, and shower suites are also available.

Narita International Airport hotels

Narita Airport is home to a capsule hotel, as well as several nap rooms if you just need to rest before you make a connection. At the Nine Hours capsule hotel, you can check in round the clock or simply stop in to use a shower. Nap rooms are also available by the hour at the airport. If you need to arrange for a longer stay, you’ll find several choices within easy reach of the airport and many more excellent hotels in Tokyo.

Radisson Hotel Narita

Just a few miles from Narita Airport sits the Radisson Hotel Narita, which provides rejuvenation and rest at its indoor and outdoor pools and its fitness club, which includes tennis courts and a putting green. Dine at any of the three on-site restaurants, or arrange for meeting space when you need to get your team together.

Catch up on a game of tennis during a long layover. Image credit: 1MoreCreative/iStock
Catch up on a game of tennis during a long layover. Image credit: 1MoreCreative/iStock

Hilton Narita

Spacious rooms at the Hilton Narita give you plenty of room to spread out, and many rooms enjoy expansive views. The hotel can accommodate meetings of any size in its many function rooms, some of which also feature panoramic views of Tokyo, and three in-house restaurants provide a variety of dining opportunities. Unwind at the 24/7 fitness center or in the indoor pool.

ANA Crowne Plaza Narita

The ANA Crowne Plaza Narita offers well-appointed rooms that include tea makers and minibars. Relax from your flight at the 24/7 fitness center or tennis courts, or order a massage. Breakfast is included with your room, and three restaurants offer a variety of Western and Japanese cuisine.

Shopping at Narita International Airport

Narita Airport offers a wide variety of shopping. Start with duty-free shopping for cosmetics, fragrances, liquor, and tobacco at the Fa-So-La stores, which have outposts in every terminal. You’ll also find unique souvenir shopping that will delight those waiting for you at home. Many stores offer items that are only sold at the airport, giving you extra incentive to budget a little time for shopping.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1’s shopping area focuses on Japanese brands, many of which aren’t available anywhere else. If you’re looking to complete an outfit, Lowry’s Farm carries Japan’s latest trends, and Graniph’s graphic tees can’t be beaten. Head to B Jirushi Yoshida or Urban Research Travel + Gift to find just the right handbag, pick up one last pair of sneakers at the ABC-Mart, or find an ultra-fun pair of socks at Tabio on the Ground.

Bring home everything you need to cook an authentic Japanese meal when you shop at Kuzefuku or pick up stunningly flavored rice crackers at Ginza Akebono. The popular candy store Tokyo Shokuhinhan Omotasedokoro carries flavors of Kit-Kat bars that don’t exist anywhere but the airport, including melon and mascarpone.

Souvenirs that won’t last long await you at the Tokyo2020 Official Shop, celebrating the 2020 Olympics. You’ll find the functional travel necessities you need at Muji to Go, and handsome stationery is the big draw at Smith and Traveler’s Factory.

Terminal 2

Complete your travel wardrobe with relaxed casual wear from Earth Music & Ecology, or choose more upscale clothing at United Arrows, where you’ll find items only sold at the airport. Specialty stationery and pens from Itoya make wonderful gifts or bring home some delectable matcha tea from Fukujuen.

Every gadget or electronic appliance you can think of awaits you at Air Bic Camera (yes, you can also buy cameras there). Shopping for cosmetics and hair accessories at Plaza could help make the time fly, and who wouldn’t be happy when you come home with branded merchandise from the Pokémon Store, including limited-edition goods.

Terminal 3

Shopping is far more limited at Terminal 3, but you can still stock up on reading material at Fa-So-La Books or pick up travel essentials at Lawson or the Fa-So-La Drugstore. Fascinating souvenirs and gifts, including Japanese art, sunglasses, and watches, await you at Souvenir Akihabara.

Dining at Narita International Airport

You’ll be able to find dining options that make you happy in all three terminals at Narita Airport.

Terminal 1

  • Gihey: Yes, you can get sukiyaki, tempura, and fish here, but it’s the rice that’s the star.
  • Sushi Yuraku: Order anything from a tiny snack to a full meal at this table-service sushi spot where your meal is made to order.
  • Tang Dynasty Toshomen: If you find yourself craving Chinese food, head to this table-service restaurant where you can also order dim sum.
  • Keisei Yuzen: This family restaurant serves everything from sushi to yakitori to fried dishes, so everyone in your party can find something to make them happy.
  • Tomita: Don’t be surprised to see a queue outside this shop, one of Narita Airport’s most popular ramen restaurants.
  • Kineya Mugimaru: At this quick-serve restaurant, you start with the aromatic udon noodles, choosing your portion size and adding the toppings of your choice
  • Nanosato: Lots of the airport personnel know what they’re doing when they head to this homestyle restaurant.
Udon noodles and tempura abounds across the restaurants at Narita Airport. Image credit: zzcapture/iStock
Udon noodles and tempura abounds across the restaurants at Narita Airport. Image credit: zzcapture/iStock

Terminal 2

  • Sushiden: Fresh sushi, made to order, awaits you at this popular sushi bar.
  • Tentei: Tempura is fresh and tantalizing at this spot that prepares halal meals.
  • Menya Kuukai: This outpost of the popular Tokyo restaurants serves ramen made as you like it with all fresh ingredients.
  • Kyotaru: This spot specializes in kamigata sushi, sushi colorfully wrapped in nori seaweed.
  • Sanbei: A popular udon restaurant that incorporates a traditional fragrant Kansai stock, made bonito and kelp.
  • Tonkatsu Inaba Wako: Expect free refills on rice, cabbage, and miso soup at this tonkatsu restaurant.
  • Obon de Gohan: Start with your choice from 20 main dishes, then add the sides you want. Daily specials are available.
  • Takopon: Genuine Osaka takoyaki is on the menu at this relaxing spot that also features a full bar.
  • McDonald’s: Yes, we know it’s fast food — but the Japanese McD’s offers meals you can’t find anywhere else (shrimp filet-o, anyone?).
  • La Toque: This restaurant may have a French name, but those in the know go here for the Japanese curry.

Terminal 3

  • Botejyu Yatai: Yakisoba cooked on a hibachi grill is the specialty here — try the omusoba for a real treat.
  • Miyatake Sanuki Udon: This fast food stop adds plenty of delicious toppings to your udon.
  • Tatsu Sushi: The ideal grab-and-go choice if you’re in a hurry.
  • Freshness Burger: The burger is juicy, and haven’t you always wanted to try one with a pumpkin bun?
  • Caffe Bene: This is the only outpost of the popular Korean coffee shop in Japan, and it’s a great choice when you want high-quality grab-and-go.

Whether Tokyo is your final stop or just the beginning of your journey, you can help your trip flow smoothly when you book a reliable Blacklane car service to travel to the airport in comfort and style.