Most people touch down at Narita Airport ready to sprint toward Tokyo, but that is a mistake. Narita City sits just beyond the runway, and it is one of the most rewarding detours in the country. It feels like someone pressed pause on the frantic pace that defines Tokyo and Kyoto during busy seasons. The streets are calmer, the air is fresher, and the rhythm of daily life is easier to fall into.
What makes Narita special is the balance it offers. You can step out of the international terminal, drop your bags at a beautifully designed hotel, and within minutes be walking a centuries old road where shopkeepers still roast tea leaves, craftsmen carve wooden toys by hand, and chefs grill eel in the open air the same way their families have done for generations. It feels authentic without feeling staged, traditional without being frozen in time.
For a first stop, it gives you a gentle introduction to Japanese culture before you dive into the sensory overload of the major cities. For a final stop, it is the perfect place to decompress, eat well, wander through peaceful gardens, and reflect on your trip before the flight home.
Narita is the shortcut to a deeper experience. It is close enough to the airport to be effortless, yet far enough from the crowds to feel like a discovery. This combination makes it one of the most underrated places to begin or end any journey through Japan.
Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple – Image: M.J Cowling
Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple, A Spiritual Heartbeat
Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple is the city’s landmark. Founded more than one thousand years ago, it remains one of the most important Buddhist temples in Japan. The moment you walk through the gates, the noise of the modern world fades.
The complex is large, with soaring pagodas, prayer halls, and winding paths that reveal quiet corners to explore. You will see families offering prayers, monks carrying out rituals, and visitors drawn into the calm of the grounds. If you want a taste of Japanese spirituality without fighting the crowds of major tourism centres, this is your place.
Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple is one of those places where history does not sit behind glass. You feel it as soon as you step through the towering main gate and hear the temple bell echo through the grounds. The story of this temple stretches back more than one thousand years, and it is woven into the spiritual and cultural fabric of Japan.
The temple was founded in the year 940 during a turbulent moment in Japanese history. The country was in the middle of the Taira Masakado Rebellion, a major uprising against the ruling imperial court. To restore peace, a revered Buddhist priest named Kancho Daisojo travelled from Kyoto carrying a statue of Fudo Myoo, a powerful deity known for cutting through ignorance and protecting the faithful.
According to tradition, Kancho Daisojo performed a series of rituals at the site where the temple now stands. These prayers were believed to help bring the rebellion to an end. After peace was restored, the statue of Fudo Myoo was too heavy to move from the place it had been enshrined. This was taken as a divine sign, and a temple was built around it. From that moment, Naritasan Shinshoji became a spiritual destination.
Over the centuries, the temple expanded into the large complex you see today. The pagodas, prayer halls, bridges, and gardens reflect different architectural styles from different eras. The Great Main Hall, completed in the twentieth century, stands beside structures that date back hundreds of years. The result is a living timeline where you can walk through Japan’s religious and artistic evolution in a single afternoon.
Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple – Image: M.J Cowling
Naritasan also became a centre for Shingon Buddhism, one of the major Buddhist traditions in Japan. Daily fire rituals are still performed by monks, just as they were a millennium ago. Visitors can watch these ceremonies inside the temple, sitting among locals who come to pray for protection, luck, and safe travels.
The temple’s deep history is part of why it remains so significant today. Ten million people visit across the year, and more than three million arrive in the first days of January alone to welcome the new year. This annual pilgrimage is one of the largest in the entire country.
Despite its importance, Naritasan manages to stay approachable. You do not need to be an expert in Buddhism to appreciate it. You simply need to walk its paths, admire its intricate carvings, listen to the chanting, and let the history settle around you. It is a place that has shaped lives and traditions for a thousand years, and yet it still feels calm, grounded, and welcoming to anyone who steps inside.
Behind the temple sits Naritasan Park, a landscaped garden with ponds, waterfalls, bridges, and thick forests. It is lovely year round but it becomes spectacular during autumn when the maple trees turn deep red and gold.
The garden is large enough that you can wander for an hour or two without repeating a path. You will find small shrines tucked between the trees and quiet rest areas with views across the water. It is the kind of place that encourages slow walking, reflection, and the simple joy of fresh air. For travellers coming straight from Tokyo, it feels like a complete reset.
Naritasan Park – Image: M.J CowlingNaritasan Park – Image: M.J Cowling
Insider Tip:Tucked among the trees is a feature that many travellers miss. It is a simple structure at first glance, yet it leaves a strong impression. Known as the water sound feature, it is designed to highlight the sound of flowing water in the most calming way possible.
The feature sits near one of the park’s ponds, surrounded evergreens. It uses a traditional acoustic trick, channelling the natural movement of water through a small wooden conduit that creates a rhythmic echo. In Japanese culture, water often symbolises clarity and renewal, and this feature captures that idea perfectly. You can put your ear to the opening and be transported in nature. The feature is not dramatic and it is not meant to be. It is a quiet reminder to slow down and notice small details that often get lost in busier cities.
Naritansan Park – Image: M.J CowlingNaritansan Park – Image: M.J CowlingNaritasan Park – Image: M.J Cowling
Omotesando, Old Temple Road
The walk from Narita Station to the temple is just as memorable. Omotesando Street, known as Old Temple Road, is a centuries old street lined with traditional shops, local restaurants, and craft stores. It is one of those rare places where the past is still very much alive.
You can stock up on handmade crafts, ceramics, matcha, incense, wooden goods, and sweets. There is also a historic sake brewery where you can try local styles and find out how sake is made.
Eel is the local speciality and you will see chefs preparing and grilling it over open flames as you walk down the street. The aroma carries through the air and the preparation itself is part of the experience. Watching masters slice, grill, and caramelise the eel is a highlight that feels uniquely Narita.
The road slopes gently toward the temple so strolling both directions is easy. Because it is close to the airport without being overcrowded, it is a wonderfully calm place to spend a day.
For an overnight stay, Waqoo Naritasan is our pick. The hotel opened in 2022 and sits directly on Old Temple Road with views of the historic street. The atmosphere is refined and peaceful.
Rooms include luxurious touches like Dyson hair stylers and premium amenities. The Japanese style breakfast is one of the best we have had in Japan, a beautifully arranged selection of regional dishes that sets you up for the day. The onsen is clean, quiet, and ideal after a long flight or before an early departure.If you want luxurious comfort, convenience, and a gentle landing in Japan, this is the hotel to choose. It works well for one night but is even better for two.
Waqoo Hotel – Image: M.J CowlingWaqoo Hotel – Image: M.J CowlingWaqoo Hotel – Image: M.J Cowling
What to Eat
Narita City is one of those places where you can land at the airport, drop your bags, and be eating something unforgettable within minutes. Start on Omotesando. The big draw here is unagi, and you can watch chefs slice, grill, and lacquer the eel with glossy tare right in front of you. Even if you have eaten eel before, the smell alone will pull you in. Keep wandering and you will find matcha stores selling everything from fresh-ground tea to soft serve, little wagashi shops offering seasonal sweets, and tiny counters doing skewers of chicken, pork, and vegetables cooked over charcoal.
Charcoal grilled Unagi eel over rice
If you prefer something heartier, there are local noodle houses serving bowls of handmade soba and udon, plus ramen spots with rich broths that warm you straight through. The sake brewery on Omotesando is another stop worth making, especially if you want to sample small-batch sake brewed with water from the region. For snacks, grab senbei crackers grilled on the spot, sweet potato chips fried to order, or taiyaki filled with red bean or custard. Narita’s food scene feels relaxed and rooted in tradition, and because the crowds tend to be thinner than Tokyo, you can actually slow down and enjoy everything. Whether you come for a full meal or an afternoon of grazing, eating your way through Narita should be on your foodie travel list.
Image: M.J Cowling
Two Day Narita Itinerary
If you stay for two nights, the region gives you more than enough to explore.
Day One
Spend the morning wandering Old Temple Road and visiting the shops. Have lunch at one of the traditional eel restaurants. Then spend the afternoon at Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple and the gardens behind it. Allow time for slow walking and enjoy the park in the late afternoon light. Finish with dinner back along Omotesando.
Day Two
Take a short trip to Sakura, a peaceful town with deep historical roots. The National Museum of Japanese History is one of the best in the country. It gives you a clear picture of Japan’s evolution across thousands of years.
From there, walk the Samurai Road. The path cuts through tall bamboo and leads to traditional samurai houses that have been carefully preserved. Unlike Kyoto’s famous heritage districts, you will not be pushed along by crowds here. You can take your time, step inside the houses, and see exactly how samurai families lived. It is a rare chance to explore history without distraction.
Return to Narita in the afternoon and enjoy a relaxed dinner before your flight or onward journey.
Transport Taxis are the easiest way to move around Narita and Sakura. Distances are short and drivers are reliable. You can also walk most of Narita City, especially around Old Temple Road and the temple grounds.
Airport Access Narita Airport is only 10-15 minutes away by taxi or train. This makes the city perfect for the start or end of your trip.
Luggage Storage Many hotels and shops near the station offer storage, which makes wandering the temple road much easier.
Best Time to Visit Autumn is stunning. Spring is lovely too. Avoid New Year unless you want the festival atmosphere because the temple draws crowds in the millions.
Naritansan Park – Image: M.J Cowling
A Perfect Beginning or Ending to Your Adventure
Narita City is a calm introduction to Japanese culture and a gentle farewell before flying home. With one of the most important temples in the country, a beautiful garden, a historic shopping street, and easy access to Sakura, it offers a complete experience without the pressure of big city crowds. If you want your first or last memory of Japan to be peaceful, authentic, and full of character, Narita City is the place to stay. To see more visit here.
Narita City Fast Facts
Location: About 10 minutes from Narita Airport by train.
Distance from Tokyo: Around 60 kilometres from central Tokyo, roughly one hour by train.
Main Attraction: Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, a historic Buddhist complex founded over 1,000 years ago.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn for comfortable weather and colourful gardens.
Famous Street: Omotesando, lined with matcha shops, traditional crafts, snack stalls, and restaurants.
Local Specialty: Freshly grilled eel served at long-running family restaurants.
What’s in the Area: Naritasan Park with ponds and walking paths, a sake brewery on Omotesando, and shopping near Narita Station.
Good to Know: Coin lockers at Narita Station make exploring easy if you are in transit.
Most people touch down at Narita Airport ready to sprint toward Tokyo, but that is a mistake. Narita City sits just beyond the runway, and it is one of the most rewarding detours in the country. It feels like someone pressed pause on the frantic pace that defines Tokyo and Kyoto during busy seasons. The streets are calmer, the air is fresher, and the rhythm of daily life is easier to fall into.
What makes Narita special is the balance it offers. You can step out of the international terminal, drop your bags at a beautifully designed hotel, and within minutes be walking a centuries old road where shopkeepers still roast tea leaves, craftsmen carve wooden toys by hand, and chefs grill eel in the open air the same way their families have done for generations. It feels authentic without feeling staged, traditional without being frozen in time.
For a first stop, it gives you a gentle introduction to Japanese culture before you dive into the sensory overload of the major cities. For a final stop, it is the perfect place to decompress, eat well, wander through peaceful gardens, and reflect on your trip before the flight home.
Narita is the shortcut to a deeper experience. It is close enough to the airport to be effortless, yet far enough from the crowds to feel like a discovery. This combination makes it one of the most underrated places to begin or end any journey through Japan.
Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple, A Spiritual Heartbeat
Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple is the city’s landmark. Founded more than one thousand years ago, it remains one of the most important Buddhist temples in Japan. The moment you walk through the gates, the noise of the modern world fades.
The complex is large, with soaring pagodas, prayer halls, and winding paths that reveal quiet corners to explore. You will see families offering prayers, monks carrying out rituals, and visitors drawn into the calm of the grounds. If you want a taste of Japanese spirituality without fighting the crowds of major tourism centres, this is your place.
Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple is one of those places where history does not sit behind glass. You feel it as soon as you step through the towering main gate and hear the temple bell echo through the grounds. The story of this temple stretches back more than one thousand years, and it is woven into the spiritual and cultural fabric of Japan.
The temple was founded in the year 940 during a turbulent moment in Japanese history. The country was in the middle of the Taira Masakado Rebellion, a major uprising against the ruling imperial court. To restore peace, a revered Buddhist priest named Kancho Daisojo travelled from Kyoto carrying a statue of Fudo Myoo, a powerful deity known for cutting through ignorance and protecting the faithful.
According to tradition, Kancho Daisojo performed a series of rituals at the site where the temple now stands. These prayers were believed to help bring the rebellion to an end. After peace was restored, the statue of Fudo Myoo was too heavy to move from the place it had been enshrined. This was taken as a divine sign, and a temple was built around it. From that moment, Naritasan Shinshoji became a spiritual destination.
Over the centuries, the temple expanded into the large complex you see today. The pagodas, prayer halls, bridges, and gardens reflect different architectural styles from different eras. The Great Main Hall, completed in the twentieth century, stands beside structures that date back hundreds of years. The result is a living timeline where you can walk through Japan’s religious and artistic evolution in a single afternoon.
Naritasan also became a centre for Shingon Buddhism, one of the major Buddhist traditions in Japan. Daily fire rituals are still performed by monks, just as they were a millennium ago. Visitors can watch these ceremonies inside the temple, sitting among locals who come to pray for protection, luck, and safe travels.
The temple’s deep history is part of why it remains so significant today. Ten million people visit across the year, and more than three million arrive in the first days of January alone to welcome the new year. This annual pilgrimage is one of the largest in the entire country.
Despite its importance, Naritasan manages to stay approachable. You do not need to be an expert in Buddhism to appreciate it. You simply need to walk its paths, admire its intricate carvings, listen to the chanting, and let the history settle around you. It is a place that has shaped lives and traditions for a thousand years, and yet it still feels calm, grounded, and welcoming to anyone who steps inside.
Naritasan Park, One of Japan’s Prettiest Gardens
Behind the temple sits Naritasan Park, a landscaped garden with ponds, waterfalls, bridges, and thick forests. It is lovely year round but it becomes spectacular during autumn when the maple trees turn deep red and gold.
The garden is large enough that you can wander for an hour or two without repeating a path. You will find small shrines tucked between the trees and quiet rest areas with views across the water. It is the kind of place that encourages slow walking, reflection, and the simple joy of fresh air. For travellers coming straight from Tokyo, it feels like a complete reset.
Insider Tip: Tucked among the trees is a feature that many travellers miss. It is a simple structure at first glance, yet it leaves a strong impression. Known as the water sound feature, it is designed to highlight the sound of flowing water in the most calming way possible.
The feature sits near one of the park’s ponds, surrounded evergreens. It uses a traditional acoustic trick, channelling the natural movement of water through a small wooden conduit that creates a rhythmic echo. In Japanese culture, water often symbolises clarity and renewal, and this feature captures that idea perfectly. You can put your ear to the opening and be transported in nature. The feature is not dramatic and it is not meant to be. It is a quiet reminder to slow down and notice small details that often get lost in busier cities.
Omotesando, Old Temple Road
The walk from Narita Station to the temple is just as memorable. Omotesando Street, known as Old Temple Road, is a centuries old street lined with traditional shops, local restaurants, and craft stores. It is one of those rare places where the past is still very much alive.
You can stock up on handmade crafts, ceramics, matcha, incense, wooden goods, and sweets. There is also a historic sake brewery where you can try local styles and find out how sake is made.
Eel is the local speciality and you will see chefs preparing and grilling it over open flames as you walk down the street. The aroma carries through the air and the preparation itself is part of the experience. Watching masters slice, grill, and caramelise the eel is a highlight that feels uniquely Narita.
The road slopes gently toward the temple so strolling both directions is easy. Because it is close to the airport without being overcrowded, it is a wonderfully calm place to spend a day.
Where to Stay in Narita City – Waqoo Naritasan Hotel
For an overnight stay, Waqoo Naritasan is our pick. The hotel opened in 2022 and sits directly on Old Temple Road with views of the historic street. The atmosphere is refined and peaceful.
Rooms include luxurious touches like Dyson hair stylers and premium amenities. The Japanese style breakfast is one of the best we have had in Japan, a beautifully arranged selection of regional dishes that sets you up for the day. The onsen is clean, quiet, and ideal after a long flight or before an early departure.If you want luxurious comfort, convenience, and a gentle landing in Japan, this is the hotel to choose. It works well for one night but is even better for two.
What to Eat
Narita City is one of those places where you can land at the airport, drop your bags, and be eating something unforgettable within minutes. Start on Omotesando. The big draw here is unagi, and you can watch chefs slice, grill, and lacquer the eel with glossy tare right in front of you. Even if you have eaten eel before, the smell alone will pull you in. Keep wandering and you will find matcha stores selling everything from fresh-ground tea to soft serve, little wagashi shops offering seasonal sweets, and tiny counters doing skewers of chicken, pork, and vegetables cooked over charcoal.
If you prefer something heartier, there are local noodle houses serving bowls of handmade soba and udon, plus ramen spots with rich broths that warm you straight through. The sake brewery on Omotesando is another stop worth making, especially if you want to sample small-batch sake brewed with water from the region. For snacks, grab senbei crackers grilled on the spot, sweet potato chips fried to order, or taiyaki filled with red bean or custard. Narita’s food scene feels relaxed and rooted in tradition, and because the crowds tend to be thinner than Tokyo, you can actually slow down and enjoy everything. Whether you come for a full meal or an afternoon of grazing, eating your way through Narita should be on your foodie travel list.
Two Day Narita Itinerary
If you stay for two nights, the region gives you more than enough to explore.
Day One
Spend the morning wandering Old Temple Road and visiting the shops. Have lunch at one of the traditional eel restaurants. Then spend the afternoon at Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple and the gardens behind it. Allow time for slow walking and enjoy the park in the late afternoon light. Finish with dinner back along Omotesando.
Day Two
Take a short trip to Sakura, a peaceful town with deep historical roots. The National Museum of Japanese History is one of the best in the country. It gives you a clear picture of Japan’s evolution across thousands of years.
From there, walk the Samurai Road. The path cuts through tall bamboo and leads to traditional samurai houses that have been carefully preserved. Unlike Kyoto’s famous heritage districts, you will not be pushed along by crowds here. You can take your time, step inside the houses, and see exactly how samurai families lived. It is a rare chance to explore history without distraction.
Return to Narita in the afternoon and enjoy a relaxed dinner before your flight or onward journey.
Narita City Practical Tips
Transport
Taxis are the easiest way to move around Narita and Sakura. Distances are short and drivers are reliable. You can also walk most of Narita City, especially around Old Temple Road and the temple grounds.
Airport Access
Narita Airport is only 10-15 minutes away by taxi or train. This makes the city perfect for the start or end of your trip.
Luggage Storage
Many hotels and shops near the station offer storage, which makes wandering the temple road much easier.
Best Time to Visit
Autumn is stunning. Spring is lovely too. Avoid New Year unless you want the festival atmosphere because the temple draws crowds in the millions.
A Perfect Beginning or Ending to Your Adventure
Narita City is a calm introduction to Japanese culture and a gentle farewell before flying home. With one of the most important temples in the country, a beautiful garden, a historic shopping street, and easy access to Sakura, it offers a complete experience without the pressure of big city crowds. If you want your first or last memory of Japan to be peaceful, authentic, and full of character, Narita City is the place to stay. To see more visit here.
Narita City Fast Facts
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