Hi,
we have a 6 hour layover in Narita airport. Do you think there's enough time to go through customs, take a train and explore the City of Narita and get back to the airport and check in for our next flight? Is it even worth all the trouble? Our other option is to hang around the airport and shower/nap.

thanks!

Assuming 1hr to go through immigration and needing to be back 2hr before the flight, you'll have 3hrs--more like 2.5hrs net of transportation. It's short, but doable--probably just visit the city, have a stroll, and have a coffee or a snack before heading back.

hai, and hai.

Hi SammyC,

depends on when you fly in. Because it's a layover, you won't have to pick up luggage- which means you could be out of the Customs and Immigration hall as quickly as fifteen minutes from disembarkation to out the doors!

Take the local JR to Narita station, and it's a short walk to Narita temple, with lots of shops and such on the way.

It would be too much trouble for me. Still, I travel often and am a bit jaded. Some sushi, a litle internet access and a hot shower is what I usually do.

there is a small temple town just down the road by public bus - much faster to get to than Narita and very charming. It was a few years ago so the name escapes me but I'll bet someone else will come up with it.
There are many small shops along a single road leading to the Temple.
My husband stopped at the first restaurant (a cooking counter and 4 tables) where live eels were swimming in a tank. When the chef pulled one out for him and rendered it unconcious with a mallet and began cleaning it still alive, I told him "enjoy" and wandered off down the street. Followed my nose to a court yard where monks were being fed a delicious broth with sea vegtables in it and was invited to join them for a most delicious repast.
By the time we both finished our lunch, we just had time for a stroll up and back down the road, and took the bus back to the airport, We were gone maybe 3 hours at the most.