10 Meals in Narita Airport That Will Cure Your Travel Exhaustion

Narita Airport is the entranceway that connects Japan and the world. It's good to make your way around Japan trying all the local cuisine, but actually the food in the airport is delicious as well. Here are some delicious restaurants to try there.

1. Botejyu Yatai (Yakisoba)

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Botejyu Yatai offers food made on a hibachi grill, focusing especially on yakisoba, a dish made of noodles grilled with vegetables and other ingredients. The most recommended dish of theirs is the one in the photo, called “omusoba.” Omusoba is noodles flavored with sauce and covered with runny eggs. The mild flavor of the eggs mixes with the yakisoba for a great taste.

HP: www.botejyu-express.com/

HP: www.botejyu-express.jp/ch/ (中文)

HP: www.botejyu-express.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 2F Food Court, Terminal 3, Narita Airport (Google Map)

2. Sushiden (Sushi)

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There are a few sushi restaurants in Narita Airport, but this is one that’s particularly recommended. Sushiden uses the best ingredients and the skills of professional chefs to make excellent sushi. Of course they have a dinner menu, but they also have a complete lunch menu so you can eat delicious sushi in the afternoon as well.

HP: www.sushiden.co.jp/index.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Terminal 2 4F, Narita Airport (Google Map)

3. Tentei (Tempura)

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This is a restaurant where you can enjoy one of Japan’s representative foods, tempura. Since they offer fresh ingredients right out of the fryer, you can enjoy your food while it’s still crispy. This is one of the few restaurants in Narita Airport with a halal certification, so Muslims can eat here without problems.

HP: www.gourmet-kineya.co.jp/search/list.php?gid=33 (Japanese Only)

Address: Terminal 2 4F, Narita Airport (Google Map)

4. Menya Kuukai (Ramen)

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This is a restaurant where you can eat carefully prepared ramen in the airport. They have a variety of flavors, including salt, soy sauce, tonkotsu (pork bone broth), and fish bone. Of course they’re particular about their soup, but they also choose only the best noodles, vegetables, eggs, and char siu (roasted pork) as well.

HP: www.umai-ramen.com/index.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Terminal 2 4F, Narita Airport (Google Map)

5. Obon de Gohan (Washoku)

obon-de-gohan.com

This restaurant offers healthy traditional Japanese food. You can select your meal from over 20 kinds of main dishes and 3 kinds of rice that come with miso soup and salad. It’s made to be nutritionally balanced so it should help you recover from the exhaustion of a long flight. 

HP: obon-de-gohan.com/index.php (Japanese Only)

Address: Terminal 2 4F, Narita Airport (Google Map)

6. Kyotaru (Sushi)

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The sushi offered at Kyotaru isn’t the usual sushi where seafood rests on top of vinegared rice, but instead they offer “kamigatazushi,” in which vinegared rice, seafood, and vegetables are wrapped together in nori seaweed. It uses colorful ingredients so the bento is full of colors like red and yellow so it’s a great souvenir as well. 

HP: www.kyotaru.co.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: Terminal 2 4F, Narita Airport (Google Map)

7. Sanbei (Udon) 

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You can eat Japan’s famous Sanuki udon at this restaurant. The special broth offered by Sanbei and the plump noodles match perfectly. They also offer delicious tendon, a rice bowl with fried seafood on top, so you can try that as well. 

HP: j-frontfoods.co.jp/index.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Terminal 2 4F, Narita Airport (Google Map)

8. Tonkatsu Inaba Wako (Tonkatsu)

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Tonkatsu is fried pork loin or filet that’s thick and filling. Plus at this restaurant you can get free refills on rice, miso soup, and chopped cabbage as much as you want. There’s not just a kids’ menu but also a ladies’ menu!

HP: www.wako-group.co.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: Terminal 2 4F, Narita Airport (Google Map)

9. Takopon (Takoyaki) 

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You can enjoy genuine Osaka takoyaki here. The price is reasonable and the size is perfect for when you’re feeling just a little peckish. It’s a restaurant that you can stop by casually, so it’s especially good for people traveling on their own. Why not have some delicious takoyaki as a snack with a glass of liquor? 

HP: www.takopon-kuritaya.com/ (Japanese Only)

Address: Terminal 2 4F, Narita Airport (Google Map)

10. La Toque (Curry)

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This curry specialty restaurant offers Japanese curry that uses kombu seaweed and soy sauce as a base to create a curry vastly different from Indian and western curry. While dishes like sushi and sukiyaki have become representative of Japanese food, actually Japanese-style curry is another dish that should be considered representative of Japan. 

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12 Nara’s Temples and Shrines Flourishing with Vernal Flowers

Nara, within one hour distance from Kyoto and Osaka by train, is where Japan’s first capital was and is full of temples and shrines with long history. Most of them are located in rural areas or deep in mountains without eye-sores of high-rise buildings but often with beautiful gardens. Why don’t you stretch your leg to give spring colors to your trip?

1. Chugu-ji Temple

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Chugu-ji is a convent situated east of Horyu-ji, the world-oldest wooden architecture. The main hall is rebuilt in 1968 but the history dates back to early 7th century around the same time as Horyu-ji. The main attraction is a wooden Buddha statue with elegant smile, a national treasure, but the bright yellow of Yamabuki, Japanese rose, planted in a row around its main building is also enchanting in mid April. The rural area in precincts is a charming place to enjoy relaxing walk year-round.

HP: www.chuguji.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 1-1-2 Horyuji-kita, Ikaruga-cho, Ikoma-gun, Nara (Google Map)

2. Gojo Kongo-ji

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The temple located in the south of Nara is known as the temple of Botan or peony. 1,000 bushes of peony of 100 varieties bloom in its Botan Garden with an area of 2,000m2 from mid April to early May. Small chrysanthemums in autumn is also beautiful. It takes 25 minute-walk from Gojo station on JR Wakayama Line.

HP: www.e-kongouji.com/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 3-2-14 Nohara-nishi, Gojo-shi, Nara (Google Map)

3. Hannya-ji Temple

www.hannyaji.com

The grounds of Hannya-ji, so called the temple of cosmos, is blanketed with tons of the flower of 30 varieties in October. It also entertains visitors with seasonable flowers year-round such as Yamabuki or Japanese rose in April, varieties of hydrangea in June, and narcissus in January. Take a bus from JR or Kintetsu Nara station to Hannya-ji. Bus ride takes about 10 minutes and it takes 3 minute-walk from the bus stop.

HP: www.hannyaji.com/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 221 Hannyaji-cho, Nara-shi, Nara (Google Map)

4. Hase-dera Temple

www.yaotomi.co.jp

4travel.jp

Known as “temple of flowers” or “temple of peonies,” Hase-dera in Nara is one of the best place to enjoy various flowers all year round- cherry blossoms from late March to mid April, 7,000 peony bushes of 150 varieties from late April to early May, 20,000 hydrangeas from mid June to mid July, and autumn colors. It is located on the hillside and you’d better prepare for day-hike, but the pleasant one. 15 minute-walk from Hasedera Station on Kintetsu Osaka Line.

HP: www.hasedera.or.jp/free/?id=345&PHPSESSID=2epos40m5u66ln3iaret9qndu4

Address: 731-1 Hatsuse, Sakurai-shi, Nara (Google Map)

5. Kasuga Taisha Man’yo Botanical Garden

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Man’yo Botanical Garden within the precincts of Kasuga Taisha shrine displays most of plants that appears in Man’yo-shu, the oldest collection of Japanese poetry compiled between late 7th to late 8th century. In addition to tiny graceful flowers, 200 wisterias of 20 varieties which are dedicated to the Fujiwara Clan enshrined features this place. It’s about 25 minute-walk from Nara station on JR or Kintetsu Lines.

HP: www.kasugataisha.or.jp/about/index_en.html

HP: www.kasugataisha.or.jp/about/index_ch-h.html (中文)

Address: 160 kasugano-cho, Nara-shi, Nara (Google Map)

6. Muro-ji Temple

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The main attraction of this charming temple spread in the mountainous area is Shakunage or rhododendron starting to bloom from mid April and autumn colors of dense forest surrounding it. Muro-ji, known as Nyonin Koya or women’s Mt. Koya, has been open to women while the sacred Mt. Koya used to be closed to women and is popular among women. Take a taxi or a bus from Muroguchi Ono station on Kintetsu Osaka Line.

HP: www.murouji.or.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 78 Muro, Uda-shi, Nara (Google Map)

7. Sekko-jo Temple

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Sekko-ji is known for its magnificent collection of peonies. 2,700 peony bushes of about 400 varieties bloom from mid April to early May and 40 varieties of 300 bushes of Kanbotan or winter-peonies from late November to mid January. In addition to gorgeous peonies of wide varieties in color, shape, and form, the precincts become alive with Shakuyaku or herbaceous peony and azaleas in spring. 15 minute-walk from Futakami Jinja-guchi station on Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line.

HP: sekkouji.or.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 387 Someno, Katsuragi-shi, Nara (Google Map)

8. Tanzan Jinja Shrine

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kiratemari.blog134.fc2.com

Tanzan Jinja located on the foothill, 500m above sea level, is famous for its thirteen-storied wooden tower and stunning view of autumn foliage. Besides that, this place is embraced with breath taking natural beauty year-round such as cherry blossoms in April, hydrangeas from June to July, and fresh green in early summer. It takes 20 minutes by a taxi from Sakurai station on Kintetsu or JR Lines.

HP: www.tanzan.or.jp/eng.html

Address: 319 Tonomine, Sakurai-shi, Nara (Google Map)

9. Taima-dera Temple

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Located at the foot of Mt. Futakami, the temple boasts wonderful garden in the precincts of the sub-temple utilizing narrow slope. It becomes lively in spring with hundreds of Shakunage or rhododendron, fresh green of maple, and 1,000 bushes of Botan or peony from mid April to mid May. Satsuki or dwarf azalea and hydrangea from late May to early June give graceful colors to the garden. It takes 15 minute-walk from Taima-dera station on Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line.

HP: www.taimadera.org/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 1263 Taima, Katsuragi-shi, Nara (Google Map)

10. Tsubosaka-dera Temple

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The complex of Tsubosaka-dera is located on the slope of mountain in the north of Mt. Yoshino. The grounds are always beautifully colored starting with cherry blossom in early spring, Yamabuki, azaleas, lavender in early summer and then autumn foliage. Take a bus or a taxi (10 minutes) from Tsubosakayama station on Kintetsu Yoshino Line.

HP: www.tsubosaka1300.or.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 3 Takatori-cho Tsubosaka, Takaichi-gun, Nara (Google Map)

11. Yata-dera Temple

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Yata-dera is so called the temple of hydrangeas. With an area of 25,000m2 in mountain, it is covered with about 10,000 bushes of hydrangea of about 60 varieties that start to bloom with grace from mid May. Take bus bound for Yatadera from Koriyama station on Kintetsu Line. Special bus from JR Horyuji station is available in the hydrangea peak period. Please note that tripod and picnic in the precincts are unfortunately prohibited due to troubles in recent years.

HP: www.yatadera.or.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 3549 Yata-cho, Yamatokoriyama-shi, Nara (Google Map)

12. Takidani Hanashobu-en

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Precisely speaking, it is not temples nor shrines but had made an approach Muro-ji Temple in the vicinity. 30,000m2 grounds give always fantastic views with variety of flowers- cherry trees, pink moss, irises, and hydrangeas, etc. Walk through wooden bridges crossing over the wetlands is pleasant. If you love flowers and visit Muro-ji for a day-trip, why not try it as well? It’s worth visiting. Entrance fee is 850yen.

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10 Tokyo’s Accommodations to Experience Japanese-Style Inns

If you look for traditional Japanese style ryokan in Tokyo, there are not many but some ryokans and alike still remain. Here listed are the accommodations ranging from generously priced ryokan housed in traditional Japanese architecture to a bit pricey but modern facilities with luxury. Why don’t you try one of these for intriguing experience?

1. Homeikan Honkan/ Daimachi/ Morikawa [Hongo]

travel.rakuten.co.jp

www.japanese.hostelworld.com

www.japanese.hostelworld.com

This authentic Japanese ryokan has three buildings in quiet residential area in Hongo. The Honkan and Daimachi Bekkan, main building and the annex, faces each other and Morikawa Bekkan is 5-minute walk away. Well-maintained buildings enable you to experience authentic Japanese inn. Its traditional inn-style architectures are old wooden buildings so it’s better to be prepared for some noise caused by students who often stay. Public bathes in each sites are full of nostalgy. Around 10 minute-walk from Hongo Sanchome station in Marunouchi line and priced over 6000yen.

HP: www.homeikan.com/

Address: 5-10-5 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

2. Sawanoya [Yanaka]

tg.tripadvisor.jp

mcha.jp

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Located in Yanaka area, 7 minute walk away from Subway Nezu station or 30 minutes from Ueno Station, this clean and comfortable family-run ryokan has been loved by the guests from domestic and abroad. The owner family is very helpful and friendly and you can relax at the cozy Japanese style room or at two communal baths which can be reserved for private use. The price starts from 5,400yen per person and Western style breakfast is available for fee.

HP: www.sawanoya.com/eigo.html

Address: 2-3-11,Yanaka,Taito-Ku,Tokyo (Google Map)

3. The Edo Sakura [Ueno]

www.kyoto-ryokan-sakura.com

www.booking.com

www.booking.com

The Edo Sakura is not a ryokan but a hotel newly opened in 2013 which features Kyoto Machiya tow-house style. You can choose from Japanese or Western rooms starting from 16,000yen per room and add breakfast in Japanese or Western style. Equipped with modern facilities including free Wi-Fi, the hotel offers comfortable stay in traditional Japanese atmosphere. Located 10-minute walk from JR Uguisdani station.

HP: www.tokyoedosakura.com/en/

Address: 3-2-13 Shitaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

4. Shigetsu [Asakusa]

jp.hotels.com

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travel.rakuten.co.jp

The history of the ryokan housed in a six-story modern building dates back over 80 years. Wonderfully located near Asakusa Nakamise market and within 3-minute-walk from Subway Asakusa station, Shigetsu offers comfortable rooms both in Japanese and Western-style. The public bath on the top floor offers a nice view of neighboring Sky Tree. Free Wi-Fi is available. Rooms are equipped with bath and you can add breakfast in Japanese or Western style. The room size varies and the price starts from 8,500yen at the cheapest.

HP: www.shigetsu.com/e/index.html

HP: www.shigetsu.com/chc/index.html (中文)

Address: 1-31-11, Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

5. Sukeroku no Yado SADACHIYO [Asakusa]

Photo by  きれいごとでいこう！

www.sadachiyo.co.jp

www.sadachiyo.co.jp

This all Japanese room ryokan is conveniently situated 5 minute-walk from Sensoji temple in Asakusa. It looks modern but the interior features Japanese style in Edo period. While all rooms are equipped with bath, two public bath is popular among the guests for relaxing time. Free Wi-Fi is available. Room types varies in size and price starting from around 10,000yen. You can add Japanese or Western-style breakfast.

HP: www.sadachiyo.co.jp/en/

Address: 2-20-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

6. Ryokan Kamogawa [Asakusa]

www.expedia.co.jp

www.booking.com

www.booking.com

This ryokan is wonderfully situated 2 minutes walk away from famous Kaminarimon in Asakusa. All rooms are Japanese room with a bath room. Public bath can be also reserved for private use. The economy type rooms are priced for 7,500yen and larger rooms starts from 10,000yen. Breakfast can be chosen from Japanese or Western-style.

HP: www.f-kamogawa.jp/english/index.html

Address: 1-30-10 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

7. toco. [Ueno]

backpackersjapan.co.jp

backpackersjapan.co.jp

backpackersjapan.co.jp

toco. is a guest house where you can stay in a traditional Japanese house with a garden in comfort at reasonable price. Renovated 90-years-old house has dormitory both with beds and futon beddings and priced from 2,800yen~. Its shared facilities are clean and modern. Located 15 minute-walk from Iriya station of Subway Hibiya line.

HP: backpackersjapan.co.jp/english/

Address: 2-13-21 Shitaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

8. Daiso Ryokan [Tsukiji]

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blogs.yahoo.co.jp

This small ryokan with two guest rooms conveniently located in Tsukiji was a private residence of a seafood wholesaler. Surrounded by modern high-rise apartments, the 86-years old residential building in authentic Japanese-style stands out as if it were left behind. The interior is full of traditional decors such as carved figures and retro tiles in a bath room. It’s 6 minutes walk away from Tsukiji station and priced for 5,500yen. For traditional Japanese architecture lovers.

Address: 7-10-5 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

9. Ryokan Seiko [Ogikubo]

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pakiko.hatenablog.com

pakiko.hatenablog.com

Located in a quiet residential area and 7-minute-walk from Ogikubo station, the traditional ryokan is designated as a Japan’s cultural property. Guest rooms are all Japanese style and public area is a mix of Japanese and Western-style. The price starts from 6,000yen and you can add Japanese breakfast or dinner served at room or dining room. You might feel like you’re staying at relative’s house. The facilities are far from modern or stylish but clean and comfortable.

Address: 3-38-9 Ogikubo, Suginami-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

10. Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo Honten [Ochanomizu]

www.ryumeikan-honten.jp

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travel.rakuten.co.jp

The history of this newly-built gorgeous ryokan dates back over 100 years. All stylish rooms are spacious and equipped with beds. They offer various breakfast menu both in Japanese and Western-style. The price starts from 55,000yen per room which is to change from this June. It is not a traditional ryokan but offers modern version of ryokan experience that is sure different from Western-style hotels. For those who want bits of traditional Japanese taste and modern Western comfort.

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