Haneda to Narita Layover : Need advice

Old Apr 20th, 2014, 11:11 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Haneda to Narita Layover : Need advice

I will be returning from Indonesia this June ('14) and have a 10 hour layover in Tokyo. My ANA flight arrives in Haneda at 7:10 am and then I have to transfer to Narita to head stateside at 5:05 pm. That gives me about 10 hours.

I can't check my bags through and I don't want to sit in airports. This is what I was thinkinig

7:10 - 8:10: Land, get bags, go through immigration, get Yen.

8:10 - 9:50 transfer to Tokyo Station store bags in station (I don't want to have to backtrack all the way back to Haneda). While at the Tokyo station, check out Kiyosumi Gardens.

9:50 - 11:00 From Tokyo Station get to Harajuku - stroll around Meiji Shrine, do a little shopping in the Harajuku area.

11:00 - 12:00 Shinjuku shopping - eat at food court

12:00 - 1:00 Skytree

1:00 - 2:00 Return to Tokyo station to get bags and catch transportation to Narita.

I may eliinate Kiyosumi Gardens.

Thoughts?
snorkelcat is offline  
Old Apr 20th, 2014, 11:42 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,396
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sounds reasonable enough. Instead of storing your gear at Tokyo Station, I think you'd be better off at Shinagawa station. There's a train directly from Haneda to Shinagawa, and there are lockers at Shinagawa. Then, it's a shorter trip from Shinagawa to Harajuku. At the end of your day, you can take the Narita Express from Shinagawa direct to Narita Airport.
DonTopaz is offline  
Old Apr 21st, 2014, 04:25 AM
  #3  
mjs
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I also agree with Shinagawa. The Skytree plan won't work as there are current massive lines. You will also have to leave Shinagawa somewhere around 1:30 to make your 5:05 UA? Flight. I think you have about four to five free hours.
mjs is online now  
Old Apr 21st, 2014, 06:14 PM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you so much for your advice. I am definitely eliminating Skytree and Kiyosumi Gardens. However, a dear friend wanted me to pick up a unique souvenir that I think you can only get from Asakusa (authentic uguisu no fun!), so I will see how to fit that in.

Isn't there a direct metro line or train line from Tokyo Station to Shinjuku station?

Thanks again!
snorkelcat is offline  
Old Apr 21st, 2014, 11:26 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I was about to say, too many things, with no time given to actually travel from place to place...

Glad to see you're eliminating Sky Tree, no way to do that in an hour including travel time, queuing to buy ticket, queueing to go up, time spent up the skytree etc.

I might also suggest you have lunch in / around Tokyo Station (there are many, many, many options in the station/ Marunouchi district) rather than hit Shinjuku just for food, unless there's something specific about Shinjuku you need to see?
Kavey is offline  
Old Apr 21st, 2014, 11:27 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Obviously, scratch my eating suggestion if you opt for Shinagawa instead of Tokyo Station.
Kavey is offline  
Old Apr 22nd, 2014, 01:34 AM
  #7  
mjs
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Chou line cuts across the Yamamote line circle to go to Shinjuku. Take the rapid line and the stops are only Kanda, Ochamomizu, Yotsuya to Shinjuku. Asakusa a good area to visit for first time tourists.. I also like to eat there. Lots of eating option round Tokyo station to Yuraracho as well as the underground section near Tokyo station near Yasesu.
mjs is online now  
Old Apr 22nd, 2014, 08:51 AM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you mjs! Based on your input I have researched the Chou line - I think it will help with time a lot!

Kavey, when I found out I had a 10 hour layover in Tokyo, the first thing that came to mind was Takashimaya! I fell in love with this department store while in Singapore a couple of years ago and wanted to visit it again. I think it only has two branches in the city proper - one near the Tokyo Station and a major one in Shinjuku right next to the Shinjuku station. Takashimaya also has a massive food court.

I had a 10 hour layover in Newark last year and wasted HOURS because of confusion on where to store my bags. I still had time to have a leisurely lunch in Harlem and time to spend a couple of hours at the Museum of Natural History before heading back to New Jersey to catch my flight.

I did a poor job of researching I am trying to do better for this trip.

Thanks for all the input!
snorkelcat is offline  
Old Apr 22nd, 2014, 10:48 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, there is indeed a large Takashimaya in Shinjuku, our hotel was just across from it on our first trip.
Kavey is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
pthomas156
Asia
9
Feb 7th, 2016 10:26 AM
jdewald
Asia
5
Jan 8th, 2014 08:23 PM
MONYLINE
Asia
4
Oct 31st, 2009 01:50 AM
jentmy
Asia
12
Mar 26th, 2009 09:24 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -