For those many of us, a long duration layover can be tiring and boring. But at Narita Airport, you can avoid the tedium by joining the Volunteer Guided Tour at Narita Airport! As such, I registered for one of the free tours to visit the Shinsho-ji Temple in Narita-san.
Narita Airport Volunteer Guided Tour
When you reach Narita Airport, the reception for the Volunteer Guided Tour is located at the Transit & Stay Program area, which is in the central area near the tourist information counter. The counter is open from 9 in the morning, and if you’ve signed up for the program from their website, you will need to be there on time to register. There is also a reception at Narita International Airport Terminal 2.
I talked to a fellow tourist who lived in Malaysia for 10 years and found out that they had been infected by the Malaysian way of speaking, ending his sentences with ‘lah’. Oh no.
Pretty soon the guide showed up and introduced himself. Let’s refer to the guide as Hideaki-san. After meeting up at the counter, Hideaki-san took us to the ticket machine at the train station to get a round-trip ticket to Keisei Narita Station. Jom, let’s go!
About Hideaki-san
We weren’t sure who we would be guiding us to Narita-san, but we were glad to find out our guide was Hideaki-san, who had lived in Malaysia for a few years. His English is very good, above my expectations and we had no problems establishing rapport. He even knows about places in Malaysia!
While we’re on the train, Hideaki-san explained that these tickets can be called ‘lucky’ tickets as anyone with a round trip ticket can ask for discounts at many shops in Narita-san. How can you know if the shop offers a discount? Simply show the ticket and ask! Sometimes there are 10% discounts off souvenirs. If you don’t ask, you won’t know.
Tour Itinerary
- Narita-san Omotesando
- Shinsho-ji Temple
- Narita-san Park
- Lunch at Hikataya Daini Shiten
- Return to Narita Airport
Narita-san Omotesando
The street that leads to the temple is lively, lined with restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and shops selling street snacks.
Kintoki no Amataro
We first stopped by a sweets shop to have a bite. It was a snack called Oobanyaki which is similar to pancakes with red bean or sweet white bean filling. Both of them were so delicious that I forgot to take a photo… the filling is warm and soft, wrapped in a fluffy pancake! They are only 120 yen each, so grab both flavours at Kintoki no Amataro to find out which is your favourite! I would recommend the white bean paste filling as it is sweeter. Also, you can eat red bean paste in Malaysia every day! Just buy anpan (red bean buns) in the bakery!
Kimono Rental Shop
On Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays, you can rent a kimono to walk around Narita-san. As we were there on Sunday, we didn’t have a chance to try dressing up in traditional Japanese garb. The rental fees are only 800 yen as this service is run by volunteers. You won’t find such a good deal anywhere else! Ah, if only I knew earlier!
Yoneya Wisdom King Garden
Hideaki-san guided us to the Yoneya Wisdom King Garden. It was tucked between a few buildings, so you would normally miss such a nice garden if you didn’t know it was there. We drew water from the well and admired the statue of the Wisdom King.
Nagomi no Yoneya
A modern confectionary shop with a long history, Nagomi no Yoneya specializes in production of snacks such as Yokan, Dorayaki, Peanuts Monaka and other desserts. The shop has a resting area for tourist and a water cooler which is free for visitors. We took a short break here and looked at what’s being offered. I asked Hideaki-san which he would recommend, and he showed me...
Karashi nasu! It is a type of pickled eggplant. Miso and mustard pickle! He explained that you could simply eat rice with this as a side dish and it is his favourite food to buy in Nagomi no Yoneya. Sadly, I’m not a big fan of eggplants, or I would have tried this out. I can feel from his expression and tone that he really likes this. If you like eggplants, do remember to get this! Anything that could make a person that happy must be delicious.
The item that caught my eyes were the peanut butter. I know, Japan is not famous for peanut butter, but I love them! I would absolutely be happy to get a jar of these. The only reason why I didn’t get these is because I still have a large jar left in my fridge.
If you want to get some Japanese wagashi (sweets) and have a bit of money to spend, do try their Kuri Yokan. It’s red bean flavoured jelly with soft boiled chestnuts. When chilled, you can cool down as you eat it while drinking matcha. It’s the perfect gift for your employer or loved ones since it’s always, always hot in Malaysia.
Restaurants specializing in Grilled Eels
The three most famous grilled eel restaurants for are Kawatoyo, Surugaya and Omiya. They are all located on the street that leads to Narita-san Shinsho-ji Temple. If you want to try any of them out, you’ll have to wait for a long, long time.
Beside Kawatoyo is the Narita Tourist Pavilion. We entered to look at a small exhibition inside which is free. There is also a resting area with display of outfits of the samurai and shogun.
During the Narita-san Gion Matsuri, these large luxurious palanquins (shown in photo) will be moved out for the performance.
Sabonsama
Recently Sabonsama is becoming very popular as a gift for women. What could it be? With a name like Sabonsama, you must have noticed it sounds very similar to sabun(soap)!
At Sabonsama, you can buy moisturizing face-washing soap with a jelly-like texture. There are two types, Jewel of Purification and Circle of Better Fortune. These soaps come in a orb shape that fits your hand. They are also very fun to play with and looks beautiful. Be sure to try touching them at the shop! Women would be happy to receive them since it will make the skin smooth and silky, and they have a wonderful fragrance.
Sugi Yohoen Narita-san
This shop sells soft serve ice cream, organic food and delicious sweets made of honey from their farms. Their honey soft serve ice cream is one of their most recommended items. The sweet honey used in the soft cream ice cream is from their own bee farms. A must-have on a hot day!
Shinsho-ji Temple
We reached the gates to the temple after passing by all the enticing restaurants and souvenir shops.
Shinsho-ji Temple is one of the most famous temples in Chiba. The temple is dedicated to the worship of Fudomyo-o, the God of Fire who is believed to drive out evil spirits. During new year (正月, Shōgatsu), a million people came to Shinsho-ji Temple to pray. Hideaki-san shared the unique thing about Shinsho-ji Temple is that the old halls are not dismantled after a new one is built. Most temples in Japan, the common practice is to dismantle the old hall after the new one is built. No wonder we saw so many large halls!
It’s Narita-san’s 1080-year anniversary since the opening. A few sections of the temple have been opened to celebrate the anniversary, such as the rarely seen Okuno-in Cave which is usually only open during Gion festival in July. This year it will be opened during 6th ~9th July. As the passage is dark and narrow inside, we do not recommend Okuno-in Cave for people with claustrophobia! It is chilly and a fun way to escape the hot sun though!
You can pray for good health, love, success and almost anything at the temple.
Narita-san Park
The park is a wonderful change after the long walk in the temple. Finishing up the tour of the temple, we head to park where trees provide shade from the hot afternoon sun. Hideaki-san pointed out the perfect place to take a photo, which was from the bottom of the stairs.
Hideaki-san also showed us to a unique spot in the park near the art gallery. It is a Suikinkutsu (水琴窟). A suikinkutsu is a buried earthen jar that makes a sound that is similar to the plucking of a koto (Japanese string instrument) when water drips on it. It was made in the Edo period. By pouring water over the rocks, you can hear a melody from the bamboo jutting out from the ground.
It’s so interesting to know about Suikinkutsu as I have never heard of this! The soft melody is so mysterious.
Eels for Lunch
Hikataya Daini Shiten
Hideaki-san introduced us to Hikataya Daini Shiten (Hikataya’s second branch) for lunch. As participants of the Narita Volunteer Guided Tour, we are able to enjoy a special price. Grilled eel at ONLY 2,500 yen (normal price 3,000 yen)! The big prawn tempura set is also available at the discounted price of 1,500 yen (normal price 2,000yen) .
The eel was delicious and well-seasoned. Combined with the fragrant Japanese rice, the flavor and texture this dish unbeatable. The meat is sweet, soft and melts in the mouth. Even the bones can be eaten!
The serving was very generous, and if you don’t usually have a heavy lunch, you can ask them to pack it so you could bring it home. We do recommend finishing it in the restaurant though, hot and freshly cooked eel is best eaten soon after it’s cooked!
Return to Airport
We finished our meals and alas, the three-hour tour is over. Hideaki-san guided us back to the airport and we bid farewell at the Transit and Stay counter. It was such a fun trip, and I can see myself signing up for another trip if I were to come to Narita Airport. Thank you very much for guiding us, Hideaki-san! If it wasn’t for Hideaki-san, we would have not been able to learn so much about the places we visited.
Tourist peak period
- January for Narita-san
- Summer (July or August) for Transit and Stay Program
Tour Time
- Reception available from Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m. - Noon (first-come-first-served basis)
- Time needed is 3~5 hours (between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
The Narita Airport Volunteer Guided Tour is open to tourists staying in Narita and also those who are at Narita Airport for a layover. Do remember to sign up before your flight!
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