January 20, 2026 — 5:00am
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Airlines are increasingly favouring Haneda Airport over Narita as their gateway to Japan, even though Haneda is by far the older facility, established in 1931, while Narita opened in 1978. As is often the case in Japan, age is beside the point – this is a nation that keeps its infrastructure updated and running like clockwork.
Narita Airport … make the most of a stopover.Getty Images
For years, the delineation was roughly Haneda for domestic flights, Narita for international. But Haneda is only 20 kilometres from central Tokyo, compared with Narita’s 60 kilometres. Travellers can reach downtown Tokyo from Narita, in Chiba Prefecture, in about 90 minutes, whereas Haneda can be accessed in about 30 minutes via public transport.
For travellers flying into Japan as their final destination, that quicker access to Tokyo is appealing, as are the extensive domestic connections available at Haneda. However, Narita still hosts a wide range of international carriers, including Qantas. Its flights from Brisbane and Melbourne continue to use the airport (Sydney services operate via Haneda).
There are other advantages to using Narita, including cost – fares into Narita are sometimes cheaper – and for Qantas passengers flying onwards from Japan, the opportunity to connect with the airline’s oneworld partner, JAL.
Another drawcard? Narita has just replaced its popular layover-tour program, which was cancelled during the pandemic, with an improved version.
Meet, greet and then head to the streets: Narita Airport’s new layover tours.
Samurai Town and mushroom foraging tour.
Now called Narita Beyond (the previous program was the Narita Transit Program), the tours make the most of the airport’s location amid historic rice paddies and farmland, centuries-old temples, and its proximity to Narita City. Here, largely intact Edo-period streetscapes make for atmospheric wandering. It is also only 23 kilometres from Sakura City, known for its rich samurai history.
The tours are no longer free, but they are more structured and use professional guides. (The former program relied on intern guides, and participants had to cover all expenses including transport.)
One example under Narita Beyond is the Black Wagyu Beef Yakiniku Plan –“plan” here meaning experience – during which participants visit Kessaku, a yakiniku restaurant near the airport, and enjoy Ginza beef among 14 local dishes. It costs about ¥13,200 ($130) a person, though many other options sit around the ¥5000 ($50) mark.
A cycling tour to stretch layover legs.
For something cultural, the Historical Exploration Tour: Tracing the Footsteps of the Samurai includes exploring the castle town of Sakura, with visits to the National Museum of Japanese History and the Tsukamoto Museum of Art, plus a soba-noodle lunch at the long-established Boshuya restaurant.
The Samurai Town and Mushroom Foraging: Sakura Cycling Tour explores the history and nature of Sakura by bicycle, including samurai residences, Juntendo, mushroom foraging and the windmills of Imba Marsh.
Take a tour through nearby streets.Related
All tours are designed specifically for travellers on stopovers, and Japan’s visa-exemption program for short stays applies to Australians. Regardless of eligibility or tour length, you’ll need at least six hours in transit (with luggage checked through) to consider joining one, especially factoring in security and immigration.
Tours can be booked online in advance or on arrival – again via the website – so log on to the free airport Wi-Fi.
Other major Asian airports offer similar programs, including Singapore Changi Airport’s Free Singapore Tour, Korea’s Incheon International Airport’s free city-transit tours, and Taiwan’s Taoyuan Airport’s transit tour offerings.
See narita-beyond.jp
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Julietta Jameson is a freelance travel writer who would rather be in Rome, but her hometown Melbourne is a happy compromise.Connect via email.From our partners
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