Japan Airport Guides: Narita, Haneda, and Kansai International
By Tour in Japan editors · Updated
Everything you need to know about Japan's three main international airports — terminals, transport to the city, luggage storage, and insider tips.
Everything you need to know about Japan's three main international airports — terminals, transport to the city, luggage storage, and insider tips.
Narita International Airport (NRT)
Location: Chiba Prefecture, 60 km east of central Tokyo Code: NRT Website: narita-airport.jp
Terminals
| Terminal | Airlines | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | JAL, ANA, most Star Alliance | Shops, restaurants, observation deck |
| Terminal 2 | Budget airlines, some international | Simpler, fewer amenities |
| Terminal 3 | Low-cost carriers (Peach, Jetstar) | Budget-friendly, basic facilities |
| Terminal 5 (Satellite) | Connected to T1 via shuttle | International departures |
Getting to Tokyo
| Method | Duration | Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narita Express (N'EX) | 60 min to Tokyo Station | ¥3,070 | Every 30 min |
| Keisei Skyliner | 41 min to Ueno | ¥2,520 | Every 20 min |
| Access Express | 65 min to Asakusa | ¥1,270 | Every 20 min |
| Airport Limousine Bus | 85–120 min | ¥3,200 | Every 20–40 min |
| Taxi | 70–120 min | ¥20,000–30,000 | As needed |
| Shared shuttle | 90–150 min | ¥3,000–5,000 | Scheduled |
Recommended:
- Keisei Skyliner — Fastest and cheapest train option
- Narita Express — Best if you have a JR Pass (free with pass)
- Airport Limousine Bus — Best if you have large luggage (delivered to hotel)
Tips
- Buy a Narita Transit Pass if visiting multiple cities (¥4,000 for 2 days, includes Skyliner + metro)
- Free WiFi available throughout
- Luggage delivery service (Yamato) sends bags to your hotel for ¥2,000–3,000
- Observation deck on Terminal 1, 5th floor (free)
Haneda Airport (HND)
Location: Ota, Tokyo, 15 km south of central Tokyo Code: HND Website: tokyo-haneda.com
Terminals
| Terminal | Airlines | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Domestic (JAL, JAL Express) | Shopping, restaurants, onsen |
| Terminal 2 | Domestic (ANA, Star Alliance) | Shopping, restaurants, garden |
| Terminal 3 | International flights | Modern, duty-free, observation deck |
| International Terminal | Part of Terminal 3 | International departures |
Getting to Central Tokyo
| Method | Duration | Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keikyu Line | 15 min to Shinagawa | ¥300 | Every 5 min |
| Tokyo Monorail | 18 min to Hamamatsucho | ¥500 | Every 4 min |
| Airport Limousine Bus | 30–60 min | ¥1,000–1,900 | Every 15–20 min |
| Taxi | 20–40 min | ¥5,000–8,000 | As needed |
| Shared shuttle | 30–60 min | ¥3,000–5,000 | Scheduled |
Recommended:
- Keikyu Line — Fastest and cheapest to most Tokyo locations
- Tokyo Monorail — Scenic route, connects to JR Yamanote Line at Hamamatsucho
Tips
- Haneda is MUCH closer to central Tokyo than Narita
- Terminal 1 has a rooftop garden with plane views
- Terminal 3 has an observation deck (free)
- Onsen (hot spring bath) available in Terminal 1 — great for long layovers
- International flights are increasing at Haneda — check if your route is available
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Location: Artificial island in Osaka Bay, 50 km from central Osaka Code: KIX Website: kansai-airport.or.jp
Terminals
| Terminal | Airlines | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Main terminal, most airlines | Shops, restaurants, observation deck |
| Terminal 2 | Low-cost carriers (Peach, Jetstar Japan) | Budget-friendly, basic facilities |
Getting to Osaka/Kyoto
| Method | Duration | Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| JR Haruka Express | 50 min to Osaka, 80 min to Kyoto | ¥3,640 (Osaka), ¥3,640 (Kyoto) | Every 30 min |
| Nankai Rapi:t | 38 min to Namba | ¥1,490 | Every 30 min |
| Airport Limousine Bus | 50–80 min | ¥1,600 (Osaka), ¥2,600 (Kyoto) | Every 20–30 min |
| Taxi | 50–70 min | ¥13,000–18,000 | As needed |
Recommended:
- JR Haruka Express — Best for Kyoto, free with JR Pass
- Nankai Rapi:t — Cheapest and fastest to Namba (Osaka's entertainment district)
Tips
- ICOCA & Haruka discount — ¥1,800 round-trip (buy at airport)
- Terminal 1 has an observation deck on the rooftop (free)
- The airport is on an artificial island — the bridge to the mainland is impressive
- Hokuriku Shinkansen connects Osaka to Kanazawa if you're continuing west
Common Airport Services
Luggage Storage & Delivery
| Service | Cost | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Coin lockers (small) | ¥300–400 | All airports |
| Coin lockers (large) | ¥500–800 | All airports |
| Luggage delivery (Yamato) | ¥2,000–3,000 | All airports |
| Luggage wrapping | ¥1,000–2,000 | Narita, Kansai |
Currency Exchange
- ATMs at all terminals (7-Eleven, Japan Post, airport ATMs)
- Avoid airport currency exchange counters — rates are worse than 7-Eleven ATMs
- Best rate: withdraw from 7-Eleven ATM in the airport
WiFi & SIM Cards
- Free WiFi at all airports
- SIM card vending machines at arrivals
- Pocket WiFi rental counters at all terminals
- Recommended: Pick up a prepaid SIM at the airport before leaving
Immigration & Customs
| Step | Time | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration | 15–45 min | Fill in Visit Japan Web form before arrival |
| Baggage claim | 10–20 min | Standard |
| Customs | 5–15 min | Use Visit Japan Web QR code for faster processing |
| Total | 30–80 min | Peak hours: arrive prepared |
Visit Japan Web
- Pre-register at vjw-lp.digital.go.jp
- Fills in immigration and customs forms online
- Generates QR codes for faster processing
- Recommended for all visitors — saves 20–30 minutes at immigration
Airport Hotels & Rest Areas
If you have a long layover:
| Option | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Narita capsule hotel | Terminal 1, 6F | ¥5,000–8,000/night |
| Haneda onsen | Terminal 1, 6F | ¥1,300 (day use) |
| Kansai First Cabin | Terminal 1 | ¥4,500–7,000/night |
| Narita Hilton | 5 min shuttle from T1 | ¥12,000–18,000/night |
| Day room (hourly) | All terminals | ¥1,000–2,000/hour |
Which Airport Should You Fly Into?
| If You're Visiting... | Best Airport |
|---|---|
| Tokyo (east side) | Haneda |
| Tokyo (budget) | Narita (more budget flights) |
| Kyoto / Osaka | Kansai (KIX) |
| Hiroshima | Kansai (then Shinkansen) |
| Hokkaido | Fly directly to New Chitose (CTS) |
| Okinawa | Fly directly to Naha (OKA) |
📱Get a Japan eSIM
Stay Connected in Japan
Yesim eSIMs work on arrival — no physical SIM needed. Japan data plans from $5.