Japan Arrival - Departure Checklist
Arrival Checklist
If you are arriving on an International flight, especially from the West Coast (US), you would have already spent 10+ hours flying, a bit tired and jet-lagged. Narita Airport can be a bit overwhelming, especially when you have a short window to catch your last train during the New Year holiday season. Having this arrival checklist really helped us.
Japan Rail (JR) Pass - Exchange and Activate "Exchange Order" for JR Pass ( that you received in your mail at home) @ NRT airport counter (JR East Travel - Terminal open 8:15 am to 7 am or Terminal 2/3 8:15 am to 8 pm). You will need to take the steps down to get to it. Good thing it is on the same level as the train stations (for NRT express).
Reserve seats - always on both the Shinkansen and NRT Express. We purchased the Green Class - more space and you still need to reserve seats!) on the Shinkansen into Kyoto (December 26th) and the outback to Tokyo on December 31st. (Note: Dec 31st is a super busy day for Japanese New year Holiday travel ).
Pickup your Pupuru WI-Fi at Narita airport (NRT) / Terminal 1 South wing Arrival 1st Floor QL Line. Recommend ordering online before departure from your home country.
Drop Luggage (if needed) at the "Baggage Delivery" service counter on the 1st Floor (Terminal 1 /2 International Arrival). Service provided by Yamato. Note we did not need to do this as 2 normal size suitcases easily fit behind the last row in each care of the Shinkansen.
Buy Suica or Icoca or Pasmo card for public transit service @ NRT Terminal 1/2/3 or JR East Travel Service Center or you can buy at any station at a later time. This ensures easy, frictionless commuting within each city you plan to travel
Currency Exchange - Recommend getting some at the airport as surprisingly cash payments are still more prevalent than credit cards (they may have a fee). Later you can use ATMs at Lawsons or Family Marts stores all over Japan to replenish for a small transaction fee.
Buy a bento box meal for the train ride - you will need it + the food at train stations is delicious!
Departure Checklist
If your flight is in the evening around 5 pm, then suggest you leave your hotel in the Shinjuku area latest by 12noon so you can get to NRT airport safely by 3:30. That will give you enough time to check-in, grab something to eat, and board the flight back home. Note: there is a lot of walking with your bags from stations to the terminal, so factor in that time.
Confirm baggage delivery to NRT is on schedule (if scheduled and needed).
NRT Airport Express seats reserved
Drop Pocket Wi-Fi In mailbox (you can do this at the airport as well)
Eat @ Narita Airport - Sushi to go near gate 35 terminal 1 (south wing) and Ippodo - from ramen restaurant
Buy Japanese whiskey (if you like whiskey) before heading to the airport. The duty-free shops have practically no choices. Most electronics store like Yodabashi (Shinjuku East) or Bic camera have recently become big box whisky retailers
