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May 14, 2014Tokyo Narita Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on March 28, 2026
The airport is responsible for most International flights in Tokyo. New Tokyo International Airport (RJAA / NRT), commonly known as Narita, was constructed in the 1970ies to take over international services from Haneda Airport. Within the last years, the number of domestic services increased as well. NRT is located approx. 60 km northwest of Tokyo in the city of Narita in Chiba prefecture. As the road access is often congested you should calculate at least 1 hour of travel by car.
Japan’s second biggest airport is the international hub for both ANA and JAL. Other local operators include Jetstar Japan, Peach and Spring Airlines Japan. The major carriers of the Far East serve the airport as well as various smaller Chinese and Korean operators. Long Haul operators includes some carriers from Europe, the Middle East, the US and Oceania. However, some bigger foreign carriers have moved their operations to Haneda in recent times.
Good weather is common at this airport, but during the hot summer months you sometimes have to face misty conditions or heat distortion.
Furthermore NRT is a big cargo airport served by ANA Cargo, Nippon Cargo, FedEx, UPS, Polar (DHL), Air HongKong, Cathay Cargo and many more.
Written by David Will, Gary Culpan, Hendra Barnes, Jan Seba, Martin Rogosz, Maximilian Ono and Paul Link. Last change: March 2025
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather |  |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 16L/34R | 2.500m |
| 16R/34L | 4.000m |
| Terminals | |
| Terminal 1 | Star Alliance, Sky Team |
| Terminal 2 | Oneworld |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Needed at a few locations. Follow the insturctions below. |
| Car/Public Transport | Not required as Public Transport is to all spotting locations. But due to runway changes it is not really recommended. Car rentals in Japan follow strict legal requirements. Citizens from several countries need to carry an official translation of the national drivers license. The international licence will not be accepted. For more information, please refer to the JAF webpage |
| Restrooms | Inside terminal buildings and at Spot 1 and 3/4. |
| Drinks/Food | Inside terminal buildings. At spots 1, 3/4 and 5 you can find vending machines for soft drinks. |
| Hotels | There are various hotels around the airport. From the Marroad Intl. Hotel (Spot 5) you can follow the runway action. There is the Tokyo Inn Narita Airport Honkan Hotel which rooms offering a view on runway 34 and the nearby taxiway. Have a look at this video. |
| Season | Spotting is possible all year long. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 16L/34R (called B runway) | Mainly landings and few departures. In the morning hours almost all arrivals on this runway, even 747s. Some exceptions like FedEx or Nippon Cargo. Landings on 16L tend to be more common in summer months than winter. |
| 16R/34L (called A runway) | Some landings and most departures due to its length. ANA’s A380 always landing only on this runway. |
Hikoki no oka park – 34L arrivals and 34L lineups
| WHERE | Basically the same road access as spot #2. After passing that spot, just follow the same street a few metres in southeast direction until you see another visitors’ hill. By public transport: At Terminal 1 catch a bus from bus stop number 30 on level 1F (be aware: also different lines depart here). Price is ¥210 each way. Final stop is Narita Station. Then walk from the museum along the road to spot 1 for about 10 minutes. |
| WHAT | 34L arrivals and 34L lineups. The advantage compared to spot #2: No fences or electric wire, so spotting movements on the ground is possible here but there can be a lot of heat haze. |
| TIME | Best light conditions from afternoon till sunset. |
| MISC. | There is a vending machine for soft drinks, but no food available. Parking space and restrooms are located nearby. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 34L Final Approach: 90mm for A380, 180mm for A320 |
Sakura no oka – Runway 34L arrivals and Runway 16R departures
| WHERE | Coming from the Airport or from Tokyo, leave the Expressway at Narita Junction and follow Route 44 facing southeast, then take Route 62 southbound. When you reach Sanrizuka, turn left into Route 106. The road makes a right turn following the airport fence. After the right turn, follow the street some minutes until you see a viewing hill on the right hand side. Turn right immediately after the hill and park your car next to the other visitors.
By public transport: At Terminal 1 catch a bus from bus stop number 30 on level 1F (be aware: also different lines depart here). Final stop is Narita Station. Then walk from the museum along the road to spot 1 for about 20 minutes. |
| WHAT | When runway direction 34 is active, you can see all movements except for departures on runway 34R. The hill is located next to the Runway 34L glidepath antenna, so it is mainly useful for spotting approaches to this runway. Lineups of departing planes on this runway are also visible, but they can’t get photographed properly because of electric wire lines in front. Runway 34R approaches are visible in the distance only (approx.. 2-3 km away). If Runway direction 16 is active, you can spot longhaul take-offs on Runway 16R. Other departing planes will be too high while 16R arrivals will have left the runway before coming in sight. |
| TIME | Best light conditions from afternoon till sunset. |
| MISC. | There is a vending machine for soft drinks and water, but bring food if you don’t want to starve. Various benches and seating opportunities are located on the hill. Restrooms are located nearby, next to the parking facilities. Note the electric wire lines in front of the runway and try to spot approaches before the wires get in the way. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 250mm for 737, 130mm for 747 / A380 on final approach runway 34L. Runway 34R is too far away. |
Perimeter Wall - 16R arrivals and departures
| WHERE | From spot #4 continue on the road westwards and at the next traffic light turn left. Then take the second left and continue along this road until you have reached the perimeter wall. Its a dead end road and you can park directly at the location. Its not a fence but a wall with huge gaps between each pole. Climb up the barrier for a clear sight but a ladder would be better as you are closer to the wall. Especially the arrivals are very tricky without one. Later in the evening you can go approximate 50 meters further up as the light is a bit better there. The angle is slighty different as the planes are not straight on the runway and still make a slight turn on it. But a ladder is mandatory from there!By public tranpsport use same direction as #4 and walk a few minutes to this spot. |
| WHAT | Perfect for all 16R arrivals/departures and aircafts on taxiway Alpha 1. Furthermore 34L heavy departures if you stand back. Update July 2025: Currently, the A1 taxiway (first one) of Runway 16R is under construction, and all departing aircraft are using the A2 taxiway. Departing aircraft cannot be photographed on A2/runway due to a wall |
| TIME | Best light conditions from afternoon till sunset. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. As you shot on ground heat may be an issues, especially for the taxiway. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 738 = 150mm; 77W = 80mm; A359 on taxiway = 140mm |
![](/images/NRT-Spot3a.jpg")
![](/images/NRT-Spot3b.jpg")
Location further up:
Sakura no yama park – 16R arrivals
| WHERE | Coming from the Airport or from Tokyo, leave the Expressway at Narita Junction and follow Route 44 in southeast direction. Stay on Route 44 when it makes a left turn. Shortly before you reach the airport fence, you can park your car to the left. |
| WHAT | Best place for runway 16R arrivals. The ANA’s A380 arriving always on this runway only. You can photograph 16R departures too when the planes turn into the runway but its not the best option. Use spot #3 instead. |
| TIME | Best light conditions from afternoon till sunset. |
| MISC. | Next to the park you can find a small super market and vending machines for soft drinks and water. During weekends with good weather occasionally food can be obtained from a BBQ. The spot is in walking distance to the Marroad Hotel (10 minutes walk). |
| FOCAL LENGTH |
16R Final Approach: 75mm for A380, 150mm for A320.
16R Lineup: 150mm for 777-200, 230mm for A320
|
Marroad International Hotel Narita - 16R Arrivals/Departures
| WHERE | You can spot from the rooms in the Marrod Intl. Hotel. Ask for a upper room with runway view. You have to shot trough the window glass but we have heard that visitors were able to open it with a tool. The rooms are bookable via the common platforms but you may contact the hotel in advance and ask for such a room. Just told them that you are an aviation enthusiast. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on RWY 16R and line up for 16R departure |
| TIME | Best light conditions are in the morning hours. |
| MISC. | Everything you need within the hotel. Room price starts at approximate 8500 Yen. There is a shuttle bus from the terminals to the hotel. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 180mm for A340 on approach. |
Terminal 1 Observation deck – 16R/34L arrivals and departures, movements on T1 apron
| WHERE | The official observation deck is landside (before security) on the rooftop of Terminal 1. Just follow the signs. A free shuttle bus is running between the two terminals. It leaves from the arrivals level (stop 6) and runs every 5-10 minutes and it’s all free!
++The observation deck on the 5th floor of Terminal 1 is being renovated. The deck will be entirely closed from April 7, 2025 until April 9 2026. For more information please click here++ |
| WHAT | You can see and spot all movements on Runway 16R/34L from here as well as movements on the apron in front of Terminal 1. Terminal 2 and the other runway are not visible from here. |
| TIME | Opening hours:
01.04 until 30.09: 06h30 until 21h00 Best light conditions are in the early morning hours until around 9a.m. |
| MISC. | Shops and restrooms inside the terminal. Some holes are made in the fence to put your lens through. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | taxiways: 763 = 110mm; 752 = 90mm runway: A320 = 280mm; 748 = 150mm |
Terminal 2 Observation Deck - Apron and 34R arrivals
| WHERE | It is landside (before security) and located on the 4th floor of Terminal 2. The terrace is splitted into two parts and you have to walk into the terminal to get from one side to the other. The deck is surrounded in mesh but have holes to poke lenses through. A free shuttle bus is running between the two terminals. It leaves from the arrivals level (stop 8). Runs every 5-10 minutes and it’s all free! |
| WHAT | Terminal 2 apron movements and rwy34R arrivals. As the satellite building is located between the terrace and the runway you often have to deal with haze or distortion due to heat on the building roof or hot air coming from the APUs of parked aircraft. So be sure to take several pictures of each approach! |
| TIME | Opening hours:
01.04 until 30.09: 06h30 until 21h00 Best light conditions are after lunchtime until evening. |
| MISC. | All usual food outlets are in the terminal. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Lens range from just 50mm to 300mm for the apron and taxiways. For rwy34R arrivals you need at least 400mm. |
Shinonome no Oka Mound - 16L arr/dep and 34R arrivals
| WHERE | This is another official spotting location at NRT, called Shinonome no Oka Mound, next to the road 51 which passes runway 16L. There is enough free of charge parking directly at the spot. The mound itself is not perfect for photography. It has a 170cm high fence so a ladder is recommend, even if there are some spotting holes. The issue is a huge fence that is installed between the mound and the runway. It disturbs the free sight, especially if a heavy arrives. Same for taxiway photos. Therefore a ladder is recommend at this location.
Access to the location is by car or by bus and on foot from Narita City Keisei station. Note there is no public transport to the location from the airport Terminal area (it is however possible to walk from Terminal 3 but takes about one hour), instead you need to take a Chiba Transport bus company bus from Keisei Narita station (京成成田駅). Please note this is NOT the Narita Airport station, but the station in Narita city (6 minutes from the airport station). Take the keisei honsen （京成本線）from T1 or T2 to Keisei Narita station. For the afternoon location buses leave Keisei Narita station. Get off at the stop called Shihongi (四本木) before the tunnel under the runway. It takes about 15 minutes and costs 400 yen. |
| WHAT | Best for arrivals and line up on 16L (ladder recommend for heavies, all samples below were made with one!). Aircraft on the taxiway is also possible from there but its better you wait until they are on the runway. Arrivals on 34R should be possible too if they use one of the fast exits. We did not test it. |
| TIME | Light is ok fron noon until sunset (winter 4:30pm/summer 6:30pm). |
| MISC. | The mound is also popular with families so it can get busy. No shadow but some benches to sit down. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 738 = 170mm; 789 = 100mm; CRJ700 = 210mm |
View from the mound! You can see the disturbing fences from there.
Arrivals 16L - afternoon
| WHERE | The old spot became unavailable due construction. The new spot is just 300m down and next to the street on a field on the opposite site of #10. So you can easily switch when the sun has turned around. There is no parking directly at the location. Although the spot is near the Shinonome no Oka spotting mound, next to Shihongi bus stop, the mound is not particularly good as it has a 170cm high fence, and poles and wires often obstruct your photos.To get there see description for #8. Get off at the stop called Shihongi (四本木) or park at the Toyomi Shinonome no Oka spotting mound – before the tunnel under the runway. From here it is a 5-10 minute walk to the location. Walk north with the spotting mound on your right and continue up the hill, you will soon pass a baseball ground on your right, cross the road bridge over the highway and the spotting point is just across the bridge by the edge of a farmer’s field. |
| WHAT | You can shoot all arrivals on 16L and also see arrivals on 16R |
| TIME | Light is ok fron noon until sunset (winter 4:30pm/summer 6:30pm). |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. There is no shade so bring a hat. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70mm (Fed Ex B777) – 200mm (A319) |
Arrival 16L - morning
| WHERE | Update 2024: There are constructions for the runway expansions going on. It is currently possible to take photos from the side road of the nearby highway. It is difficult to take photos on weekdays due to construction, but the construction is closed on holidays, so you can take photos and park your car. However, please be aware that depending on the progress of construction, you may not be able to take pictures. Access to the location is by car via the 115 or by bus and on foot from Narita City Keisei station. Note there is no public transport to the location from the airport Terminal area (it is however possible to walk from Terminal 3 but takes about one hour), instead you need to take a Chiba Transport bus company bus from Keisei Narita station (京成成田駅). Please note this is NOT the Narita Airport station, but the station in Narita city (6 minutes from the airport station). Take the keisei honsen （京成本線）from T1 or T2 to Keisei Narita station. For the morning location buses leave Keisei Narita station. Take the bus to the stop called Toyomi Higashi (十余三東) – it is the stop immediately after passing under the runway, the location is a 5 minute walk from there – turn left at the traffic lights after getting off the bus. The bus takes about 15 minutes and costs 400 yen. NB: If you are staying here all day you can easily walk to the afternoon location from the morning location by taking the narrow lane which runs parallel to the highway. The walk takes about 10 minutes. Car parking is available at the Shinonome no Oka spotting mound. |
| WHAT | You can shoot all arrivals on 16L and also see arrivals on 16R |
| TIME | Light is good from sunrise to about 11am all year round. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. There is no shade so bring a hat. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A320 = 135mm; B788 = 80mm; B777 = 55mm |
Small mound - 34R arrivals
| WHERE | The location is on a very small mound on the opposite side of terminal 2, next to road 44. From the terminal drive eastwards and when you have passed the runway tunnel turn left into the Lawson Station Store and park there. Now cross the road and walk to the perimeter wall. You can see a small mound with a tree on it. This is your place to be.
There is a bus stop at the store but we don´t have any infos yet. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on 34R only. The sight is totally blocked and nothing else is possible to photograph from there. Furthermore there are some disturbing poles and you have only 2-3 seconds left to have a plane in the gap. |
| TIME | Light is good from sunrise to about 11am all year round. |
| MISC. | The space is very limited and only 4-5 spotters have a place for their ladders. Snacks and drinks in the Lawson Station where you have parked your car. Eventually the police comes by and ask you to leave. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A320 = 190mm; 78X = 110mm, 763 = 140mm |
Sight from the ladder:
Fields - 34L arrivals/lineup
| WHERE | The spot is located between spot 1 and 2 on a track. For line-up pictures use the footpath next to the street near the helipad where the fence is lower than usually so yu can look above it. For arrivals walk the small farm track about 100 meters to the south.
By public transport: At Terminal 1 catch a bus from bus stop number 30 on level 1F (be aware: also different lines depart here). Price is ¥210 each way. Final stop is Narita Station. Then walk from the museum along the road to spot 1 for about 15 minutes. |
| WHAT | All 34L arrivals and line-ups. The view for line ups is slightly better as from position #2 as there are less disturbing object within your sight. |
| TIME | Line-up from 10:00 till 17:00 and arrivals from 12:30 till sunrise. Heat haze is a problem for ground shots! |
| MISC. | For line-up a small ladder with two steps is sufficient so you dont see parts of the fence in your pictures. For smaller aircraft like A320 you dont need it at all. Be aware of heat haze! For arrivals choose you preferred poistion on the farm track. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Line-up: 300mm for A319, 230mm for B752, 180mm for B789. Arrivals: 120mm for B773/A380, 135mm for B789. |
Narita Terminal 1 Observation Deck will re-open on April 9, 2026
https://www.narita-airport.jp/files/d12c82561c143d96de02834048fcfd5f1f7b1fa202bf0bb32fc891b408268f6f
Do we have a date for the terminal 1 observation deck opening
Hello Japanese spotters, does some of had already tried plane spotting at Toyoko Inn Honkan near Narita Airport? I found some sample shots in jetphotos but I’m not sure what room that is.
Hello!
I have never stayed there, but there is a video from Toyoko Inn Narita Honkan’s second building.
This video will give you an idea of which room it is and how to get the shot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17dqH8IHLxA
Thanks again, great help this ifo
Great view from the hotel rooms. Thanks for sharing!
-Julian
Hello sir walker2000, well noted and thanks for the tip! I’ll check it out on my next visit. 😀
Hello Japanse spotters, is there not a morning spot at 34L with Northern wind like spot 10?
But then 34L approach photos till from sunrise till noon?
Is the morning spot 11 small mound only possible with stepladders or also making pictures without ladders?
Thank you for your kind help, hope to visit your great airport in a couple of weeks
Hello!
With northern wind operation, the morning spot for 34L is on the opposite side of the runway from Spot1.
The Google map is as follows.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dk187AzFcidNU6Fo6
I took the photos below.
https://flyteam.jp/photo/3250250
The best light is from sunrise until about 9am.
I’ve never shot at Spot11, but it’s probably fine without a ladder.
Be careful as there will be a lot of traffic and you will be highly visible.
Thank you, this is very helpfull
Hello, during northern winds, is it possible to shoot landing planes on 34R from Observation deck 2 ? Which good options are there to shoot planes in the air during northern winds ? Right now the only possible option I see is to shoot departing planes from locations 1,12 and occasionally some landing there too. In all other locations the planes are too high.
Any info would be appreciated!
Thnx
Forgot to mention: I use a crop sensor and 24-105 + 100-400 lenses
Hello!
You can photograph planes landing on 34R from the Terminal 2 observation deck.
I took the photos below. I used an APS-C camera with a 300mm focal length.
https://flyteam.jp/photo/3339765
In winter, there are a lot of northerly winds, so locations 1 and 12 are the best places to take photos.
I hope its okay when I put your picture into the guide 🙂
Thanks, Julian
Hi, visitng NRT in a week or 2. When spotting from the T2 decks, can departing aircraft on 34L be seen from the northern deck and likewise, can departing aircraft on 16L be seen lifting from the southern deck? Many thanks.
Hello!
For airplanes taking off from runway 34L, you will likely only be able to capture images of their rear view from a distance.
Also, for airplanes taking off from runway 16L, since they have already gained altitude, you will only see the underside of the aircraft.
Furthermore, there aren’t that many flights taking off from runway 16L.
Thanks for the reply-my apologies, I meant to ask can departures from 16R (not 16L) be seen from the Southern deck on T2. I appreciate it will be distant again but was wondering if there was a view or is the climbout obscured by buildings? Cheers Nick
The southern deck on T2 is located at the spot shown on the Google Map below. You can even see an aircraft in the picture.
https://www.google.co.jp/maps/@35.772234,140.3895604,3a,71.2y,121.09h,90.18t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sCIHM0ogKEICAgICkuIDYPQ!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgpms-cs-s%2FAB8u6HZWm38eYhIJZC3pjbEOtK1yoxmPby7SX4bE1Mt7ta_LockQ8oRxXE3BKbTLg3SYUDJnCNr_fQe-uEDzf9tYohNwd-U7xngXxEyflb9Q-f7pN5DoefwShFhlrxZV0VwvJq4yIKTD%3Dw900-h600-k-no-pi-0.1793704434621617-ya121.09245393856862-ro0-fo100!7i6080!8i3040?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDkyOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
The aircraft is obscured by buildings when it takes off, and while it’s visible during ascent, it’s quite far away. Furthermore, there’s a fence with no gaps, making it unsuitable for photography.
Thanks again for your kind reply-clears things up perfectly.
Cheers
Nick
Currently, the A1 taxiway of Runway A is under construction, and all departing aircraft are using the A2 taxiway.
At Spot 3(PERIMETER WALL), departing aircraft cannot be photographed (due to a wall, it’s almost impossible to capture aircraft on the A2 taxiway).
From Spot 4(SAKURA NO YAMA PARK), the A2 taxiway is farther away than A1, so a telephoto lens is necessary.
I left a note, thanks for the hint.
-Julian
According to the press release of the airport, the Observation Deck of Terminal1(Spot6) will be entirely closed from April 7 to the start of service in the spring of 2026.
https://www.narita-airport.jp/files/9fca869e1a90fd6fb4e42fadf823421b94732af8cb521f65d5e24ec8e2b59ad6
Hello all, it says Terminal ! observation deck opens in the summer an 6:30AM in the summer. does ti have a different opening time in the wintertime? I will be there in early December. thanks Jon
As stated on the website, it opens at 7am from October to March. Also, there are times when it may not be open, such as when it snows.
https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/fun/view/
Thank you for the info, I looked all over that website and missed that. Thanks sooo much for helping me!! Jon
Please find my review on Marroad International Hotel Narita here : https://staygate.blogspot.com/2024/10/hotel-review-marroad-international.html