Hi

Can someone give us information about the shower facilities at Narita (are towels, soaps, shampoo provided and is the rate for the half hour per person or for the time regardless of how many people use it - I'll be travelling with two teenage kids). Also besides going into Narita, what can one do to kill six hours?

Thanks

There was a Yahoo! Cafe in the main building of terminal 2 with computers set up with free internet and fast access. Was there June 16. They were promoting there internet services, so it might not be there. It's not far from the showers.

http://www.narita-airport.or.jp/airport_e/

The rate for the showers is per person. I believe they provided everything you would need, towels for sure and I'm almost positive they had soap and shampoo. After we showered, we relaxed in the recliners they had. It was really easy to take a nap there. The Yahoo cafe was nearby like the previous poster said.

Shampoo, soap, towels, combs, tooth brush, sandle etc are provided at the shower facility. Day room are also available and these tiny rooms come equipped with showers.

For 6 hours transit time I would use the day room and take a nap + shower - the staff will wake you up before boarding.

If you're travelling business class or first on JAL or ANA they will comp the shower or day room.

Thanks to all of you for the replies regarding the shower facilities. Does anyone think 6 hours would be enough to see Narita town or should we not even bother? Regarding the dayroom - what would be the best option for a mother with two teenagers (13 and 17)since I only see two twin beds in the double room. Also the recliner mentioned - is that part of the shower facilities or do we have to go somewhere else and pay for the use of that? Thanks.

six hours is more than enough time to go into narita town. i have had many five hour layovers, and went into narita town every time to buy sashimi, and a nice bottle of sake to take on my journey to singapore. its only a train stop from the airport. i recommend that you go into narita town, a quaint old town, have a snack, enjoy, then head back to the airport for the continuation of your trip. if you're going on ua bc, or have gold alliance status, you can take a shower at the red carpet room. they provide you with all the amenities. enjoy.

Thanks for the tips about going into Narita. Do you think we'll have enough time to visit the "famous" temple in Narita? Can you please give me a little more info about how to take the train to Narita town (what line, how to buy tickets) and the immigration procedures (will we need to fill out "transit" visa forms, go through immigration both when arriving and departing NRT, how much money needed etc. Unfortunately we're not flying UA so we'd just be using the regular shower facilities.

ok, lets see if i can answer all of your questions. yes, you need a transit visa(or whatever it is called). on the plane tell the fa that you will be existing the terminal so you need to fill out the exit form that will allow you to return to the departure area without paying the departure tax, which is about $20 each. you will need to go through immigration and customs. depending upon how many arrivals they are, you may be in line for 5-20 min. to get through immigration. since you won't have your bags, you should be able to go through customs quickly. take the escalator to the train station on the lower level(signs are clearly marked in english), and you can buy your tickets there. i believe it was 160 yen one way into narita, and it is only one stop. i don't remember the name of the line, but you can ask for assistance on the platform. i have been to the temple you memtioned(forgot the name). i believe its about a 15-20 min. walk from the train station. its a nice walk, and you see a few shops along the way. since you have your boarding pass, and no need to check in again, i suggest that you start your return to the airport two hours before departure. you have to go through immigration again, and depending on the crowd, it may take you anywhere from 10-20 min. i think if your start back two hours before departure, you should be ok. so, six hours is alot of time. during my last trip in oct., i was able to deplane, go through immigration, get my bag, clear customs, buy my limo bus ticket, and was waiting for the bus in 25 min. of course, i was traveling alone.(i took the bus into tokyo as i was staying a few days there). but again, six hours is plenty. how much money will you need? well, at least 960 yen($9) for the train tickets, and whatever you want to buy. if you are not buying souvenier items, or having a full meal, i think you can get by with around $30-40 for drinks and a snack from a convenience store, or even from a few recognizable fast food outlets. its an easy trip, have fun.

Thanks for the great tips. A couple more questions: If we have our backpacks (on long flights we usually travel with a spare set of clothes in case our suitcases don't arrive the day we do and also in this case we'd have a change of clothes if we were to use the shower facilities at NRT) - should we put them in the coin-operated lockers at the airport (I understand there are some in both terminals 1 and 2) before heading out to Narita town? And in your opinion do you think we should take the shower before or after going into Narita (we're travelling on to Bangkok after the six hours layover). Any minor complication is that we're arriving at Terminal 2 and departing from Terminal 1. In such a case, should we allow some extra time before heading back from town? Any other tips you might have would be great. THANKS

well, since you are arriving at term. 2, and leaving fm 1, i rec. that you take your backpacks with you, and see if you can store them in the lockers at the narita train station where you get off. i'm not sure if they have lockers there, but that would be the best solution. perhaps someone out there knows if there are lockers there.you don't want to store your bp at term 2, and have to go back there to fetch you bp, and then go on to term 1. its best to go straight to term. 1 upon your return. i would shower after your visit in narita, just in case you are running late, you can always skip the shower and make the flt on time. i think leaving narita 2.5 hours prior to departure is still safe, even with the shower, but don't sing more than two songs in the shower or you might miss your flt. one more advice, bring yen with you so you don't have to waste time getting it at the airport. your local bank should be able to sell it to you. get about a $100 worth. you can always use any remaining balance during your layover on your return trip.