Most travelers see Narita as a runway, not a town — but the Naritasan Shinshoji approach is one of the better airport-adjacent half-days in Japan. The Shingon-Buddhist temple was founded in 940 by Kanchō Daisōjō, a disciple of Kōbō Daishi, around a Fudo Myo-o image. Among its Important Cultural Properties: the Kōmyō-dō (1701, dedicated to Dainichi Nyorai), the three-storied 25-meter pagoda (1712), and the Niōmon main gate (1830). The Omotesando approach runs uphill from Narita Station with about a kilometer of unagi specialists, sweet shops, and tsukudani makers. Naritasan Park behind the main hall is laid out around three ponds. A useful first-day or last-day stop that doesn't cost a Tokyo evening.
What Narita is known for
Top-rated in Narita
Naritasan Shinsho
4.5culture
Ancient temple complex near Narita Airport, one of Japan's most visited sites for New Year and fire ritual ceremonies.
Naritasan Omotesando, the Main Approach to the Temple
4.5temple
The street that leads from Narita Station to the entrance gate of Naritsan Shinshoji Temple is the omotesando.
Shakado Hall
4.5temple
The Shakado, built in 1858, is the second of the two former main halls of Shinshoji.
Naritasan Park
4.2nature
Naritasan Park is a beautiful 165,000m2 park in the grounds of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, spreading from the Great Peace Pagoda that is the symbol of the temple.
Sogo Reido Sanctuary
4.2temple
Sogo Reido, otherwise known as Toshoji Temple, is an ancient temple believed to have been constructed by general Sakanoue no Tamuramaro (758–811) in the late 700s.
Ichiryugan Mitsuhashi Pharmaceutical Company
4.3landmark
Ichiryugan Mitsuhashi is a pharmaceutical company that produces over 300 types of traditional Japanese natural and holistic remedies.
Boso no Mura Open-Air Museum
4.1museum
Full-scale Edo streetscapes with hands-on kimono dressing, senbei grilling, and craft workshops.
Yamato-no-yu
4.0onsen
Modern designer onsen near Narita Airport featuring black mineral water and adult-only policy.