Narita

Narita is a city in Chiba Prefecture about 65 km east of central Tokyo, best known for its international airport but also home to one of eastern Japan's most visited temples. The Keisei Main Line express from Keisei Ueno to Keisei-Narita takes about 60 minutes for roughly 1,100 yen, and the JR Sobu Line rapid from Tokyo Station takes about 70 minutes for around 1,500 yen. Both lines also serve the airport terminals, which makes the town a practical stop on a long layover of several hours. The main sight is Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, a large Shingon Buddhist complex founded in the 10th century, which draws many visitors at New Year. The approach is along Omotesando, an old street lined with eel restaurants, souvenir shops and traditional sweets stalls. Behind the temple, Naritasan Park offers a landscaped garden with ponds and walking paths. Aircraft enthusiasts can visit the Narita Airport viewing decks and nearby shopping at Aeon Mall Narita, and Boso no Mura, an open-air museum of Edo-period life, is a short trip outside the town. A one-day arc starts by walking the Omotesando approach from Keisei-Narita Station to the temple in the morning, touring the main halls and Naritasan Park, then having lunch at a local eel restaurant, where sets cost about 2,500 to 4,500 yen. The temple grounds are free to enter. The afternoon can include Boso no Mura or a visit to the airport viewing decks before heading back. Spring cherry blossoms and autumn colours are pleasant, and New Year brings very large crowds, so visitors then should expect long queues. The temple grounds close in the early evening, so a late arrival leaves little time to see the main halls, and a layover traveler should check the airport return schedule in advance.