By Joshua Berida
Whenever visitors arrive in Narita airport, they either ride the train or bus to Tokyo, or head to another boarding gate for a connecting flight to wherever. This comes as no surprise, because Narita is a busy airport that sees millions of businesspeople and tourists come and go. However, there is more to this part of Japan than transiting in and out of the terminals.
Wear traditional costumes
Imagine wearing a kimono while walking down historic streets and eating unagi, this is exactly one activity you can do while in Narita. For a donation starting at ¥500, you can wear a traditional costume with your friends or family. The kimono is a T-shaped robe with a collar and long, wide sleeves wrapped around the body, with the left side over the right at all times, secured by an obi, or sash. For footwear, a person typically wears zori or geta (traditional footwear) and tabi (split-toed socks).
Kimono is no longer worn regularly by the locals, except during special occasions, such as tea ceremonies, weddings and other formal events. Travel back in time by donning this costume during your visit to Narita.
Visit Naritasan Temple
Japan is home to several temples from north to south, one of the most significant is Naritasan Temple. The temple traces its roots to several centuries ago; in 939 Emperor Suzaku gave Priest Kanjo an order to suppress the revolt led by Tairanomasakado. He went to the district bringing an image of Fudomyoo with him and performed a Goma rite to end the insurgency.
Miraculously, on the last day of the rite, the rebellion ended completely. Impressed by the mercy of Fudomyoo, the emperor ordered the construction of a temple to enshrine the image, which later led to the establishment of the Naritasan Shinshoji Temple by Priest Kanjo.
The temple is a popular attraction for excursions and pilgrimages for locals. Many visitors go to Naritasan to attend a Goma rite, an important service, where devotees pray to Fudomyoo to fulfill their wishes.
A walk through the temple will take you back in time and learn more about the culture and history of ancient Japan. From the Niomon Gate to the three-storied Pagoda to the Komyodo Hall, you can experience the past and discover the importance of Buddhism to the early Japanese.
Try the local specialty
Japan is home to a number of delectable dishes, from sushi to ramen to donburi (rice bowls), and Narita is no exception. The city is known for unagi, or eel; its meat is famous because of its high nutritional content.
Narita-based ryokans, or Japanese-style inns, have a history of serving unagi to visitors. There are several restaurants that prepare and serve eel cuisine lining Omotesando Road. One of the most popular ways to eat this dish is grilled on a spit and roasted with soy sauce.
Last-minute shopping
Did you regret not buying those jeans in Uniqlo while exploring Ginza? Or forgot to grab a pack of Kit-Kats as pasalubong? Narita is a place where you can go on a last-minute shopping spree, spend the last few thousand yens you have, and avail yourself of the foreign tourists discounts. Go to GU, Uniqlo, Aeon Mall, or Mega Don Quijote to buy clothes, souvenirs, jeans, gadgets, trinkets, or anything you want to bring home. Some stores provide tax exemptions and discounts, if you purchase more than ¥10,000 worth of products and show them your passport.
Narita has plenty to offer tourists who have a long layover before their flight or are curious to see what the city has to offer. The district has an eclectic mix of culture, history, food and shopping that will make you consider adding it to your list of must-see places on your next visit to the Land of the Rising Sun.