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May 14, 2014Tokyo Narita Intl. Airport Spotting Guide
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- last modified on November 09, 2018
The airport is responsible for most International flights in Tokyo and you will see almost every popular carrier serving NRT. New Tokyo International Airport (RJAA / NRT), commonly known as Narita, was constructed in the 1970ies to take over international services from Haneda Airport. Up to now, Narita handles the majority of overseas operations out of the Tokyo-Yokohama region. 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 home carrier and ANA subsidiary Vanilla Air as well as 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 include Air France, Alitalia, Austrian, British Airways, Finnair, KLM and SAS from Europe, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and Turkish Airlines from the Middle East as well as Aircalin, Air New Zealand, Qantas and Jetstar from Oceania. Most important carriers from the U.S. are Delta and United with many flights per day and several aircraft types to various destinations. American and Air Canada also serve NRT on a daily basis or even more often. 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 Carg, FedEx, UPS, Polar (DHL), Air HongKong, Cathay Cargo and many more.
Written by Maximilian Ono, Jan Seba, Hendra Barnes, David Will and Gary Culpan (Last Visit June 2018)
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| Airport Information | Runways | 16L/34R | 16R/34L | |
| 2.500m | 4.000m | |||
| Terminals | Terminal 1 | Terminal 2 | ||
| Star Alliance, Sky Team | Oneworld | |||
| Spotting Information | Ladder | Needed at a few locations. Follow the insturctions below. | ||
| Car | Not required as Public Transport is to all spotting locations. But due to runway changes it is not really recommend. 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 | |||
| Drinks/Food | Inside terminal buildings. At spots 1, 3 and 5 you can find vending machines for soft drinks. | |||
| Hotels | There are various hotels around the airport. | |||
| Season | Spotting is possible all year long. | |||
| Runway Usage | 16L/34R (called B runway) | for approx. 50% of 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) | for approx. 50% of landings and most departures due to its length. | |||
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Spot #1 – Hikoki no oka park – 34L arrivals and 34L lineups |
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| 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 – All times might change within time!There are a number of options but the easiest is from T1 departing from bus stop number 30 on level 1F, or T2 bus stop number 5. Price is ¥210 each way. Final stop is the museum itself (written in English). Then walk back from the museum along the road to spot 5 for about 10 minutes.From Terminal 1 to Museum of Aeronautical Science (from T2 approx 5 mins later): Weekdays: 9:32, 11:53, 13:32, 15:29, 16:35 Sat, Sun and Holidays: 9:42, 11:35, 13:40, 15:40, 16:35From Museum to Terminal 1 + 2: Weekdays: 10:13, 13:10, 14:28, 16:10, 17:10 Sat, Sun and Holidays: 10:43, 13:10, 15:10, 16:10, 17:10Alternatively you can take the JR bus (T1 bus stop 30; T2 bus stop 28C) – also terminating at the museum. Please ckeck with the driver as not all JR buses will stop at the museum. Last bus returning to the terminal is 17:15. Also ¥210 each way. If you want to return to the airport after 17:00 (summer), you need to walk a few minutes to kokuhakubutsukan no mae [航空博物館の前] bus stop in front of the logistics center and catch a bus passing on the main road. |
| 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 |
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Spot #2 – Sakura no oka – Runway 34L arrivals and Runway 16R departures |
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| 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 – All times might change within time! There are a number of options but the easiest is from T1 departing from bus stop number 30 on level 1F, or T2 bus stop number 5. Price is ¥210 each way. Final stop is the museum itself (written in English). Then walk back from the museum along the road to spot 2 for about 20 minutes. From Terminal 1 to Museum of Aeronautical Science (from T2 approx 5 mins later): From Museum to Terminal 1 + 2: Alternatively you can take the JR bus (T1 bus stop 30; T2 bus stop 28C) – also terminating at the museum. Please ckeck with the driver as not all JR buses will stop at the museum. Last bus returning to the terminal is 17:15. Also ¥210 each way. If you want to return to the airport after 17:00 (summer), you need to walk 7 or 8 minutes to kokuhakubutsukan no mae [航空博物館の前] bus stop in front of the logistics center and catch a bus passing on the main road. |
| 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. |
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Spot #3 – Perimeter Wall – 16R arrivals and departures |
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| 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. Furthermore 34L heavy departures if you stand back. |
| 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:
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Spot #4 – Sakura no yama park – 16R arrivals |
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| 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.
By public transport – All times might change within time! From Terminal 2 to spot #4: From Spot #4 to Terminal 2: |
| WHAT | Best place for runway 16R arrivals. 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
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Spot #5 – Marroad International Hotel Narita – 16R Arrivals/Departures |
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| 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. |
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Spot #6 – Terminal 1 Observation deck – 16R/34L arrivals and departures, movements on T1 apron |
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| WHERE | The official observation deck is landside on the rooftop of Terminal 1. Just follow the signs. |
| 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 | Best light conditions are in the morning hours. |
| MISC. | Shops and restrooms inside the terminal, possibly also on the terrace itself. Some holes are made in the fence to put your lense through. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | taxiways: 763 = 110mm; 752 = 90mm runway: A320 = 280mm; 748 = 150mm |
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Spot #7 – Terminal 2 Observation Deck – Apron and 34R arrivals |
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| WHERE | 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. |
| WHAT | Terminal 2 apron movements and RWY 34R arrivals. |
| TIME | 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 |
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Spot #8 – Shinonome no Oka Mound – 16L arr/dep and 34R arrivals |
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| 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. |
| 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.
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Spot #9 – Arrivals 16L – afternoon |
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| WHERE | This spot is 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 | 65mm (Fed Ex B777) – 200mm (ANA Wings DHC8) |
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Spot #10 – Arrival 16L – morning |
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| WHERE | The morning spot is very popular with spotters and is on a farm track between some fields and you can park easily if you come by car.
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 morning location buses leave Keisei Narita station at: 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 |
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Spot #11 – small mound – 34R arrivals |
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| 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:
18 Comments
[…] videos and some wide angle photos, we did not have our telephoto lens with us. I just found a Narita plane spotting guide if you are heading to Narita Airport soon. The plane observation location was right above […]
Hi there,
I am going to Narita in November. I consider to go to some spotting points by bycicle. (E—bike)Does anybody know if there is a bycicle rental near JR Narita?
Thanks best regards
I will be visiting Tokyo, can someone please help me understanding which spot will be appropriate for shooting videos wherein I can place the tripod and pan the camera from approach till touchdown or liftoff till the undercarriages retract. I wish to spend two days just for spotting if someone here could really help me with the Spot.
Regards
Abhishek
Hi,
Please find enclosed the bus schedule as of April 2018 for spot 3 and for the museum (spot 1 + 5). Please keep in mind all schedules are subject to change.
Spot 3:
From Terminal 2, bus stop 28-A on level 1F to Spot 3
Weekdays: 9:45, 12:11, 14:33, 16:52, 18:26
Sat, Sun and Holidays: 10:04, 11:55, 15:51, 17:39
From Spot 3 to Terminal 2
Weekdays: 6:52, 12:10, 13:50, 15:39, 18:20
Sat, Sun and Holidays: 6:55, 10:42, 13:07, 16:10
Spot 1 + 5:
From Terminal 1, bus stop 30 on level 1F to Museum of Aeronautical Science (from T2 approx 5 mins later)
Weekdays: 9:32, 11:53, 13:32, 15:29, 16:35
Sat, Sun and Holidays: 9:42, 11:35, 13:40, 15:40, 16:35
From Museum to Terminal 1 + 2
Weekdays: 10:13, 13:10, 14:28, 16:10, 17:10
Sat, Sun and Holidays: 10:43, 13:10, 15:10, 16:10, 17:10
Regards
Marcus
Thanks, Marcus. Information added – Regards, Severin
More information on bus transport to spot 5 (hikouki no oka) and spot 1(sakura no oka) :
There are a number of options but the easiest is from T1 departing from bus stop number 30, or T2 bus stop number 5. Price is ¥210 each way. Final stop is the museum itself (written in English). Last bus returning to the terminals is at 5.10pm. Buses only run about every 90 minutes.
Alternatively you can take the JR bus (T1 bus stop 30; T2 bus stop 28C) – also terminating at the museum. Last bus returning to the terminal is 5.15pm. Also ¥210 each way.
If you want to return to the airport after 5pm (summer), you need to walk 7 or 8 minutes to kokuhakubutsukan no mae [航空博物館の前] bus stop in front of the logistics center and catch a bus passing on the main road.
The walk from the museum to spot 5 is about 12 minutes, to spot 1 it takes about 20 mins.
where is spot#7???
We did not add the info as no one visited it yet from our team.
Its an official viewing park but not so interesting like the other locations.
-Julian
[…] videos and some wide angle photos, we did not have our telephoto lens with us. I just found a Narita plane spotting guide if you are heading to Narita Airport soon. The plane observation location was right above […]
Thanks for the great Spotting Guide! But I think there is a Mistake in the Text. On the Map it seems there is a Car useful for Spots 1 and 3 and not for Spot 2 as attached in the Text.
Yes you are right. Thanks for the info!
At spot 2 you mentioned that you need a longer lens for planes on taxiways, on the runway and on the aprons. How many mm’s do you need for taxiway and runway shots?
Does anybody know the bus numbers to get to the photgraphing spots, please?
There’s a spot at the Museum for Aeronautical Sciences – you’ll need to pay 500 yen, but you can be in an airconditioned room filming 34L Landings/16R Departures.
I can provide photos if need be.
Where would that museum be?
The museum is close to spot #1. I set a tag on the map above.
-Julian
Edit for Spot 3:
There a small supermarket next to the park now (only Japanese everything) but you will find some drinks, snacks and ice there. Also possible to walk from Marroad Hotel (10min walk).
Thanks for the additional infos. We have added it to the guide.
Regards
Julian