Japan, being a long, stretched-out country, has a multitude of airports in many different locations. This article explains all about traveling to and from the country’s main airports, namely Narita and Haneda in Tokyo, Kansai in Osaka, and Chubu in Nagoya.

 

Narita Airport in Tokyo

Japan’s biggest and most visited airport is Narita Airport (NRT). Narita is a suburb of Tokyo which is mostly know for its agriculture. Narita is not the most lively or entertaining suburbs of Tokyo. Instead of staying at Narita for one night to rest and relax, get straight on the train to Tokyo for a more comfortable night. One thing to watch out about is the train system as there are many different trains you can take. Even though the express train is a little more expensive, it is also a lot more faster.

 

Going from Narita Airport to Central Tokyo

 

Tokyo is only a 1-hour express train ride away and can be accessed from express or local train, taxi or bus. There are several types of trains as introduced below which will take you to the center of Tokyo. Getting a ticket is of course step number 1.

You can get your train ticket at either a ticket machine or at the ticket counter. If you have a reservation for a JR Pass, you can activate the Pass at the JR East Travel Service Center at Narita Station and use the pass to go to reserve a ticket to central Tokyo straight away.

 

Make sure you know which train to get before purchasing your ticket. There are several lines all going to central Tokyo, but the duration and price of the trains differs quite a bit. 

 

See below for the train lines from Narita to central Tokyo:

 

Keisei Skyliner
Narita Airport → Nippori Station → Ueno Station
±¥2,500
40 minutes
Train departs every 20 to 40 minutes

 

The fastest way to travel from Narita Airport to the center of Tokyo is via Keisei Skyliner. All seats are reserved, ample luggage space is available, and WiFi connection in all cars make for a comfortable ride.

 

Purchasing Skyliner tickets in advance get holders of non-Japanese passports ¥300 discount.

 

Narita Express (NEX)
Narita Airport → Tokyo
±¥3,100
60 minutes
Train departs every 30 to 60 minutes

 

This train has all reserved and those in possession of a non-Japanese passport can get a discount of 33 to 55% by purchasing the NEX Tokyo Round Trip Ticket to Tokyo, Yokohama or Saitama (used within 2 weeks).

 

 

JR Sobu/Narita Line
Narita Airport → Chiba → Yokohama → Tokyo
±¥1,200
85 minutes
Train departs every 60 minutes

 

The Sobu train is the slower version of the NEX, and stops at several stations between Narita and the center of Tokyo. While the NEX is more commonly used by tourists, the Sobu is a local line with mainly Tokyo locals boarding. This commuter train has no reserved seats and can get really crowded during peak hours.

 

 

Keisei Limited Express
Narita Airport → Nippori → Ueno
±¥1,030
75 minutes
Train departs every 20 minutes

 

The Keisei Limited Express is another local train with only unreserved seats and many stops on the way to the center of Tokyo. As with the Sobu train, the Keisei train is likely to get very crowded during rush hour.

 

 

Bus
Narita Airport → Several Locations in Tokyo
±¥800 to ¥3,200
60 – 90 minutes

 

From Narita Airport there are several bus lines heading to many of the surrounding areas including central Tokyo.

 

 

Taxi or Uber
Narita Airport → Several Locations in Tokyo
±¥20,000 to ¥27,000
60 – 90 minutes

 

The taxi service in Japan is excellent but pricey. Considering Narita Airport is over 60km from the center of Tokyo, using an Uber or taxi service is not cheap.

 

 

Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND)

Haneda (HND) is the third largest airport in Japan and the second airport of Tokyo. Though still more popular among domestic travelers, international flight have been increasing steadily year by year. Haneda’s International Terminal and its Station only opened its doors in 2010, so both station and airport are still shiny and new.

 

One of the reasons for the increase in visitors is Haneda Airport’s convenient location. While Narita is in a far-away suburb of the capital, Haneda is only an easy 20-minute train away from central Tokyo.

 

Going from Haneda Airport to Central Tokyo

 

Haneda International Arrivals is only 1 floor away from the Terminal’s station. Central Tokyo is only 20 minutes to 40 minutes away by either train, monorail, or bus. Below are some of the public transportation options you could take to get to your destination in central Tokyo.

 

You can get your train ticket at either a ticket machine or at the ticket counter. If you have a reservation for a JR Pass, you can activate the Pass at the JR East Travel Service Center at Haneda’s Arrival Lobby and use the pass to go to reserve a ticket to central Tokyo straight away.

 

Tokyo Monorail
Haneda Airport → Hamamatsucho
±¥490
20 minutes
Train departs frequently

 

The Tokyo Monorail will get you to Tokyo in a heartbeat. Hamamatsucho, the end station of the monorail, is only a 5-minute subway ride on the Yamanote Line away from Tokyo Station. The Monorail is covered by the JR Pass.

 

Keikyu Line
Haneda Airport → Shinagawa Station
±¥410
15 minutes
Train departs frequently

 

The Keikyu train is a fast and easy train that will get you from Haneda Internation Terminal Station to Shinagawa, a central station in Tokyo. There are several subway and train lines running from Shinagawa to other locations in Tokyo.

 

Bus
Haneda Airport → Several Locations in Tokyo
±¥600 to ¥2,000
30 – 80 minutes

 

From Haneda Airport there are several bus lines heading to many of the surrounding areas including central Tokyo.

 

Taxi or Uber
Haneda Airport → Several Locations in Tokyo
±¥5,000 to ¥12,000
30 – 80 minutes

 

The taxi service in Japan is excellent but pricey. Haneda Airport is not as far away as Narita Airport, but traffic in Tokyo is always tricky so we recommend going by either monorail or train.

 

 

Osaka’s Kansai International Airport

Kansai Airport (KIX), 40km from Osaka, one of Japan’s main cities, has gained popularity in recent years thanks to an increase in visitors from especially Asian countries.

 

Going from Kansai Airport to Osaka

 

Kansai International Airport is pretty close to central Osaka, with especially Namba, Tennoji, Osaka/Umeda, and Shin-Osaka easily accessible by train. Below are some of the public transportation options you could take to get to your destination in central Osaka.

 

You can get your train ticket at either a ticket machine or at the ticket counter. If you have a reservation for a JR Pass, you can activate the Pass at the JR East Travel Service Center at Kansai’s Arrival Lobby and use the pass to go to reserve a ticket to central Osaka straight away.

 

JR Haruka Limited Express
Kansai Airport → Tennoji → Shin-Osaka Station
±¥2,330 (unreserved),
±¥3,000 (reserved)
50 minutes
Train departs once every 30 minutes

 

This limited express train gets you to the center of Osaka in a mere 30 minutes to Tennoji, gateway to Namba and Yodoyabashi, and 50 minutes to Shin-Osaka, one of the major train stations in Osaka. Both reserved and unreserved seats are available. For non-Japanese passport holders, a Icoco & Haruka ticket is available which allows you to travel between central Osaka and Kansai Airport for only ¥1,300 to/from Shin-Osaka.

 

JR Airport Rapid
Kansai Airport → Tennoji → Osaka/Umeda Station
±¥1,100
70 minutes
Train departs every 20 minutes

 

This train is a little slower but also cheaper than the Haruka. It stops several times on the way to the center of Osaka and can get crowded during rush hour. The Airport Rapid gets you to Tennoji Station in 50 minutes, and to Osaka/Umeda Station in 70 minutes.

 

Nankai Airport Line
Kansai Airport → Osaka Namba Station
±¥1,400
35-45 minutes
Train departs once every 30 minutes

 

The Nankai train is the fastest way to Namba, Osaka nightlife and shopping district. This train is a convenient mode of transport for especially those with a lot of luggage as there is ample space for suitcases. All seats are reserved so you are guaranteed a seat.

 

Bus
Kansai Airport → Several Locations in Osaka
±¥1,500 to ¥3,000
60 – 100 minutes

 

From Kansai Airport there are several bus lines heading to many of the surrounding areas including central Osaka.

 

Taxi or Uber
Kansai Airport → Several Locations in Osaka
±¥15,000 to ¥20,000
50 – 100 minutes

 

The taxi service in Japan is excellent but pricey. Kansai Airport is quite some ways removed from the center of the city so going by taxi could prove expensive.

 

 

Nagoya’s Central Japan Airport (Centrair)

Centrair Airport (NGO), has only opened recently in 2005. New, clean, and convenient, Nagoya’s Chubu Airport is the fourth most visited airport in Japan and has been slowly attracting visitors from all over the world. 40km from Nagoya, the fourth most populated city in Japan, Centrair is probably the most central of all Japanese airports and can get you to many places in no time.

 

 

Going from Centrair Airport to Nagoya

 

Central Japan International Airport is in easy reach of the city center of Nagoya. Below are some of the public transportation options you could take to get to your destination.

 

You can get your train ticket at either a ticket machine or at the ticket counter. If you have a reservation for a JR Pass, you can activate the Pass at the JR East Travel Service Center at Centrair’s Arrival Lobby. 

 

Please note, the Meitetsu line is not covered by the JR Pass.

 

Meitetsu Airport Line
Centrair Airport → Jingu-mae → Kanayama → Nagoya Station
±¥1,230
30 minutes
Train departs once every 30 minutes

 

The u-sky Meitetsu train runs past most of Nagoya major station such as Kanayama and Nagoya Station. This limited express train has only reserved seats and plenty of luggage space.

 

Bus
Centrair Airport → Several Locations in Nagoya
±¥1,000 to ¥1,500
45 – 85 minutes

 

From Centrair Airport there are several Meitetsu buses heading to many of the surrounding areas including central Nagoya.

 

Taxi or Uber
Centrair Airport → Several Locations in Nagoya
±¥10,000 to ¥13,000
50 – 100 minutes

 

The taxi service in Japan is excellent but pricey. Centrair Airport is quite some ways removed from the center of the city so going by taxi could prove expensive.

 

New, clean, and convenient, Nagoya’s Chubu Airport