Close to Narita Airport is Narita San Shinsho-ji temple and the traditional Omotesando Street. When I worked for All Nippon Airways, I went to Narita very often. This small village was the setting for many of my walks before and after my flights. It will always have a place in my heart, even if I prefer landing at Haneda Airport now.
Narita village
The small town has much more to offer than its airport. The biggest attraction is its temple but Narita’s surroundings are perfect for day and half-day trips. See the article dedicated to Narita and its surroundings.
The small town has much more to offer than its airport! Narita san Shinsho-ji is a large temple, mostly visited in the New Year and in autumn. Don’t miss Omotesando Street, with its atmosphere of the Edo era.
The traditional atmosphere of Omotesando street
This pretty little retro street stretches for one kilometre between Narita train station and Narita san Shinsho-ji temple. It’s a very photogenic street, lined with traditional Japanese houses as well as many restaurants and shops. You will feel like you have traveled to ancient Japan! Notice how the cityscape changes as you move along Omotesando street. Modern buildings give way to traditional houses.
There is a selection of food, drinks and souvenirs, including typical dishes of the region, the unagi (freshwater eels). Among the restaurants is a little hidden gem: Miyoshiya
Miyoshiya: traditional tea house
After, or before visiting the temple, I recommend going to my favourite place to relax and have a cup of tea. Miyoshiya is a traditional tea house nestled in a small lane that overlooks a Japanese garden.
Miyoshiya, 三芳家 386-2 Nakamachi, Narita 286-0027. The tea house is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm every day except Wednesdays.
Narita san Shinsho-ji (成田山新勝寺)
Narita san Shinsho-ji is a large Buddhist temple complex, built in 940. It is a great place to visit if you have a few hours to spend around the airport. The temple is one of the largest and most popular in eastern Japan. A variety of temple buildings stand on the spacious grounds (220,000㎡!). Among the most interesting:
Heiwa Daito, great peace pagoda
This vermilion pagoda is called the great peace pagoda. It was built in 1984 in prayer for peace and happiness in the world. It measures 58 meters and has five floors over two levels. On the first floor there is an exhibition on the history of the temple.
Three-story pagoda
The pagoda is located in front of the large main hall Daihondo. It was built in 1712 and is 25 meters high.
Niōmon gate
The large lantern standing in the center is made of bronze. It weighs 800 kg!
Somon, the main gate
The main entrance is fifteen meters high and marks the border between the outside world and the temple grounds. The door is carved with images of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac.
Daihondo, the great main hall
The Daihondo, the great main hall, was built in 1968. It houses a statue of one of the guardian kings of Buddhism (which the temple was founded to house, 1000 years ago).
Shakado hall
Donation hall
Komyodo hall
Gakudo hall
The park
Narita san Shinsho-ji temple has a very large park incorporating traditional Japanese and European elements. There are three ponds with carps and turtles as well as a small waterfall (yuhi no taki) located behind Daihondo (the great main hall).
Photogenic especially in spring and in autumn, the park is a pleasant walk before taking the plane. It takes 1 to 2 hours to visit the temple and its park. Free guides are available every day from 10am to 3pm.
Information
From Tokyo, it takes 35 min (express train) to 1h15 (local train) to reach the airport and Narita city. From the train station, Narita san Shinsho-ji is a 10 minutes walk
