Japan Attractions Day 8 - 17th Apr 2009 Narita – Singapore

Japan Attractions Day 8

Narita travel - Naritasan

Today being our last day in Japan, we had to make full use of our last few hours to take in some last sights for this Narita travel.

Room rate for our Japan lodging in Narita, International Garden Hotel Narita, cost JPY6,800 for 2 persons for a double room. The advantage is the complimentary round trip airport shuttle as well as the shuttle to and from Narita station and Aeon shopping complex. The room is big and spacious although it could do with some refurbishment. The hotel also has a huge lobby and you can use the gym and rooftop Jacuzzi spa as well. At JPY6,800, it is very good value for money for a cheap Japan travel even without breakfast and free internet access, considering the complimentary shuttle services provided as this helps to save on your travelling cost.

Japan travel advice:- If you are intending to fly off the next day from Tokyo and especially if you have an early morning flight, it is advisable to book a hotel in Narita as it is much closer to Narita Japan Airport and most hotels provide complimentary shuttle services. Thus if you are looking for cheap Japan travel, it would help to find a hotel that provides complimentary airport shuttle.

Beautiful white flowers just by Naritasan

We checked out in the morning, left our luggage in the hotel and took the 0945 hrs shuttle to Narita station. We then took a morning stroll and admired the lovely flowers as well as did some window shopping whilst making our way to Naritasan (Narita hill).

As we had not required any warm clothes yesterday, we had packed all of that into our luggage. However, the Narita weather today turned cold and we were not prepared. As such, we had to stop by one of the many small shops along the way to buy a sweater to keep us warm.

There were many shops selling various Japanese snacks and other foodstuffs as well as Japanese souvenirs and good luck charms. This area also seems to be famous for their unagi (freshwater Japanese eel) as we passed by a few shops preparing the unagi for sale. The unagi is served with a special unagi sauce that gives it its special flavour. We tried the donburi, a dish of sliced eel served on a bed of rice and it tasted fresh and delicious, especially in the cold weather.

Conscientiously preparing the unagi (eel)

Japanese style seating at the Unagi restaurant ...

Delicious donburi

Soon we reached Narita-san which sees over 2 million visitors during the first three days of the near year. Built in 940, Naritasan (Naritasan Shinshoji Temple) is a large and popular Buddhist temple complex in Narita City.


Entrance to Naritasan ...

Located not far from Narita Japan Airport, it is a great place to visit if you have a few hours to spend around the airport and wish to catch a glimpse of historic Japan. Naritasan comprises a 16 hectare area occupied by the temple and another 16.5 hectare park.

In the grounds of Naritasan

At the entrance of Naritasan, you can request for a volunteer Japanese travel guide to give a brief history and guide you around Naritasan in various languages including English, Spanish and Chinese.

The Three-storied Pagoda, 25m high, was erected in 1712 and is nationally certified as an Important Cultural Property.

The Bell Tower is also more than 300 years old and is sounded three times a day at 0600 hrs, 1200 hrs and 1800 hrs.

Nomon Gate, a Nationally Certified Important Cultural Property, was erected in 1830. In this Gate of the Temple, four deities are enshrined as guardians of the Temple who ward off all evil.

Shakado Hall, Important Cultural Property (Nationally Certified) was the former main hall of the Temple, erected in 1858. Gohyakurakan (Five Hundred Buddhist Saints) and Hijushiko(Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety), carved in relief on the wooden walls and doors around the hall. It is truly a characteristic structure of the Late Edo period.

Gakudo Hall, Important Cultural Property (Nationally Certified) was erected in 1861. It has an irimoya-type tiled roof.

Komyodo Hall, Important Cultural Property (Nationally Certified) was an early main hall of the Temple, erected in 1701. With an irimoya-type tiled roof, the features of the original structure are well retained in the engraved ornaments. It is an invaluable work of the Mid Edo period.

Great Pagoda of Peace was erected in 1984 in prayer for world peace. World leaders’ messages and prayers for eternal world peace have been placed in the time capsule which lies under the ground beneath this Great Pagoda.

Naritasan, one of the popular Japan attractions



Naritasan Park is a quiet and spacious area where you can fully experience the tranquil nature. It changes from season to season and you can find ponds, waterfalls, fountains, a tea ceremony room and the Naritasan Calligraphy Museum there.

Naritasan Park

Along the way back to the Narita station to catch the shuttle back to the hotel, we passed by more shops selling the specialty of the area like chestnuts and rice crackers, besides souvenirs and Japanese foodstuff.

Along the way to Naritasan

There were also tons of lovely and colourful flowers along the road, a beautiful sight to behold.

Amazing works of nature - beautiful flowers


We managed to hop on the 1410hrs shuttle to Narita Japan Airport and checked in by 1500 hrs.

Our last sight of sakura on the way to Narita Japan Airport ....

As we were still early, we managed to do some really last minute shopping and also dropped by the “Sky Food Court” to try the katsudon (pork cutlet served on a bed of rice) and soba noodle set which cost JPY1150.

Narita Japan Airport

Interestingly, we read an article about Japan vending machines. In Japan, there are about 5.5 million vending machines whcih amounts to at least 4 vending machines per 100 individuals, and in the cities about 1 per 30. You can get various things, such as juice, sake, cigarettes flowers, toys, noodles, eggs, erotic films, and fishing bait. Some are so unique that you can get vegetables, curry rice, toasted sandwiches, automatic personal card maker, and so on.

Japan vending machines

Our flight on NW19 departed as scheduled and we reached Singapore Changi International Airport at 0045hrs on 18th Apr 2009. A smooth journey. Home sweet home.