23 LAY OVER IN NARITA JAPAN

the town of narita is worth some time....there is a lovely temple there to explore....the airport offers several tours, look at their website

There is a free bus from Narita airport to the hotel. It is easiest, too. http://www.viewhotels.co.jp/narita/english/access/access.html#bus

Plenty to do. We enjoyed Boso no Mura, and although we speak Japanese, I did notice a sign up that offered English guides there for guests.

http://www.mgnewman.com/Naritax/

Narita is cute! The temple is so so pretty. A coworker of mine, however, stayed at a great little ryokan there. I find that taxis are extremely expensive but the train system is great! With 23 hours, you may even be able to poke into Tokyo for a bit (although Narita is charming, Tokyo is more fascinating)

We spent had a 12 hour layover in tokyo last summer. 2 of us spent the time in Narita, 3 went all the way into Tokyo. We all had a great time!

I have been to Tokyo many times, and was recovering from a mean case of whooping cough, so I spent the day walking down the main street of Narita, visiting the big temple, and then completed the loop back up to the train station. From there we took the free bus out to the shopping center where we had a late lunch and then explored the big department store there.

It was a great town to shop for all kinds of japanese snacks, souvenirs, and clothing, and small enough to not get overwhelmed, as you can in Tokyo the first time. They have a bus that loops through the city, so you really will have no need to take taxis, unless you want to head outside the city.

Here is what the other three women did:

http://urbanmixplate.honadvblogs.com/2008/06/08/layover-in-tokyo/

Narita has a lot of interesting and wonderful things to see and do. You didn't say how old your group is or if there is children... but if you take a bus from the Narita View hotel (which I've done) to the central Narita Train station, then follow the green sidewalks (to the left as you leave the main train station entrance), you will be able to stroll through an interesting array of shops, restaurants, and other establishments on the way to the Narita temple grounds. Go up the stairs (through the large Torii gate) and up to the main plaza. Lots of beautiful scenery.

I've got some pictures of one of my ventures (12-hour layover) through Narita town here: http://www.squidoo.com/narita