Chiba Near Narita Airport: Naritasan Shinsho-ji, Omotesando & Sawara

A Narita layover or your first night in Japan does not have to be spent in an airport hotel room. Narita Airport sits in Chiba Prefecture, and just a short train ride away is the old temple town of Narita, with one of the most important temples in the Kanto region and a street famous for grilled eel. Half an hour further along the line is Sawara, a canal town nicknamed “Little Edo.” This guide covers all three: Naritasan Shinsho-ji, the Omotesando approach street, and Sawara, with tips for fitting them into a layover or an easy first or last day.

1. Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple

Naritasan Shinsho-ji was founded in 940 and is one of the best-known temples in the Tokyo area, drawing millions of worshippers each year. Its main object of worship is a statue of Fudo Myoo, the fierce guardian deity of the Shingon school, said to have been carved by the great monk Kobo Daishi. The grounds are huge and free to enter, with a series of halls stepping up the hillside, an ornate three-story pagoda and the striking Great Pagoda of Peace. Behind the main buildings, Naritasan Park offers ponds, waterfalls and woodland paths that are especially pretty in autumn. If you can, watch the goma fire ritual in the main hall, where monks burn wooden prayer sticks to the sound of drums and chanting. The temple is about a 15 to 20 minute walk from JR Narita or Keisei Narita stations, and two to three hours is enough to see the temple and the approach street.

2. Narita Omotesando

Omotesando is the winding approach street that leads from the stations down to Naritasan, running for more than a kilometer past traditional wooden storefronts, craft shops, sweet shops and restaurants. Narita is known for unagi (freshwater eel), and the smell of eel being grilled over charcoal fills the street. One of the most famous restaurants is Kawatoyo Honten, founded in 1910, where you can watch the eels being prepared out front; it is open from 10:00 a.m., with last orders at 5:00 p.m. Many shops along the street close in the early evening, so plan to eat here at lunch rather than dinner. Other local snacks to look for include rice crackers grilled to order and peanut sweets, since Chiba is one of Japan’s major peanut-growing regions. The walk is downhill toward the temple, so save your energy for the slope on the way back to the station.

3. Sawara, Little Edo

Sawara grew rich in the Edo period as a river port that shipped rice and goods to Edo (today’s Tokyo), and its canal is still lined with old merchant houses, warehouses and willow trees. It is one of the best-preserved historic townscapes near Tokyo, yet it sees far fewer international visitors than Kawagoe or Nikko. The highlight is a slow boat ride along the Ono River canal, which takes about 30 minutes. Do not miss the Ino Tadataka Museum, dedicated to the local merchant who, in his 50s, set out to survey and map the entire coastline of Japan; admission is 500 yen for adults, and it is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed Mondays). Sawara is about 30 minutes from Narita on the JR Narita Line, and the historic center is a 10 to 15 minute walk from Sawara Station. Trains run only once or twice an hour, so check the timetable before you go.

Where to Stay Near Narita

Where to stay: Narita & Sawara

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Narita is an ideal place to spend your first or last night in Japan, especially with an early flight or a late arrival. Most hotels are clustered near the airport, about 10 minutes by train from the temple town, while Sawara offers a memorable heritage stay if you want something more traditional.

Luxury

Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport is a reliable full-service hotel close to the airport, a comfortable choice before a long-haul flight. For a one-of-a-kind stay, NIPPONIA Sawara Merchant Town Hotel turns restored historic buildings in Sawara into stylish guest rooms.

Mid-Range

Hotel Nikko Narita is a popular mid-range airport hotel with large rooms, a good option for families and travelers who want a quiet night before or after a long flight.

Budget-Friendly

Toyoko Inn Narita Airport Shinkan is a simple, good-value business hotel near the airport. If you only need a few hours of sleep between flights, 9h nine hours Narita Airport is a modern capsule hotel at the airport.

Quick Tips for Visiting

• On a layover, leave yourself plenty of time: allow for immigration, the short train ride to Narita Station, and getting back through security before your next flight.
• Narita Airport restarted its free Transit & Stay Program in October 2026, with volunteer-guided tours for international transit passengers; check Narita Airport’s official website for how to join.
• Eat eel at lunchtime; many Omotesando restaurants and shops close by early evening.
• Carry an IC card such as Suica for JR and Keisei trains between the airport, Narita and Sawara.
• Store large luggage in airport coin lockers or with a luggage service so you can explore hands-free.

Getting there by train: Narita Station is about 10 minutes by JR or Keisei train from Narita Airport, and Sawara is about 30 minutes further on the JR Narita Line. Read our guide to getting from Narita or Haneda Airport to Tokyo, our guide to riding trains in Japan, and check whether the JR Pass is worth it for your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit Naritasan Shinsho-ji during a layover?

Yes, if you have enough time. Narita Station is about 10 minutes by train from the airport and the temple is a 15 to 20 minute walk from the station, so a long layover allows a visit, as long as you leave plenty of time for immigration and security.

Is Naritasan Shinsho-ji free to enter?

Yes. The temple grounds and Naritasan Park are free to visit.

How do you get from Narita to Sawara?

Take the JR Narita Line from Narita Station to Sawara Station, about 30 minutes. Trains run only once or twice an hour, and the historic canal area is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the station.

What food is Narita famous for?

Narita is famous for unagi (grilled freshwater eel), served over rice at restaurants along Omotesando, the approach street to Naritasan Shinsho-ji.