Narita Layover- Shinshoji-Temple Tour - Three Hours

If you have free time for three to four hours, you can visit one of the most famous and largest Buddhist temples in Japan. From Narita Airport to Narita stations, it takes only 15 minutes by train or 30 mins by bus and 10 minutes on foot.

You can walk along vintage fashion streets called Omotesando which has many small shops. This street leads to Narita-san Shinshoji temple. Along the street, there are various souvenir shops including bamboo crafts and chop sticks, local fruits, sweets, sake shops, and ramen and eel restaurants.

Naritasan Shinsjoji Tample - It is a famous temple which is visited by about 2.7 million Japanese people during the new-year holidays. The origin of Narita-san temples goes back to 1000 years ago, in the 10th Century. On the temple’s grounds, there are many elegant old structures including the huge main hall, the three-storied pagoda, Nio-mon gate and Heiwa-no-toh (Tower of Peace ), some of which are designated as Japan’s important cultural properties. It is also famous for the Buddhist fire ritual called Goma ceremony conducted by monks.

Naritasan and Kabuki gained popularity in the Edo period, during the 17th century. Today’s kabuki reflects many features of Fudomyo, a type of Buddha statue. The performance narrates its close relationship with Naritasan that has been handed down from generation to generation all the way to its successors Ichikawa Danjuro. The current 12th Danjuro also visits Narita-san. It is an ideal place to learn something about Japanese culture.

Shopping - If you don’t have enough time to shop for Japanese souvenirs for your family or friends back home, don’t worry. You can enjoy shopping at the front slop approach to Narita-san temple. The avenue is a great place to browse for local handicrafts, works of art and other products. You can also engrave your name on chopsticks for free which would be a wonderful souvenir.

Gourmet - You can also enjoy Japanese cuisine because this area has a lot of Japanese restaurants that serve local cuisine such as broiled eel, ramen, Japanese Sake, Yokan (Japanese sweet jelly,) traditional hand-grilled rice crackers and Taiko-yaki (Japanese muffin containing red bean paste, served hot.) They are so fresh that you can even watch how they cut eels front of the eel restaurant.

Scenery- Behind the main hall of the temple, there is a beautiful Japanese garden. The plum blossom garden is a must-see in February. In early April, you can enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms. In late November, the leaves change their color from green to red, orange, and golden brow which is beautiful. Mounds of earth, rocks, and trees are placed around the ponds in order to create miniature reproductions of natural scenery. It is very refreshing to walk along the paths in the picturesque gardens.

Please wear comfortable shoes. We will be walking for more than 3 km and there are several steps and slopes along the way.

From Narita Airport to Narita station, it takes 10 min and costs 270 yen. It is recommended that you exchange your money to Japanese currency ahead of time so that you can pay for your train fare, souvenirs and Japanese food.

I also recommend bringing a small bag for this walking tour. You may send other big luggage to the last destination or leave them at the baggage counter in Narita Airport.