Narita Airport Terminal 2: Complete Arrival & Departure Guide 🛬

by | 04/23/2025 | Travel Guides

📷 If your travels bring you to Kyoto consider booking a tour or photography session with us!

🧭 Table of Contents: Narita Airport Terminal 2 Complete Guide

🛬 Arrival at Terminal 2

  • Immigration & Quarantine
  • Baggage Claim & Customs
  • Arrival Lobby Essentials
  • Access from Terminal 2

🛫 Departing from Terminal 2

  • Check-In Counters
  • Security & Passport Control
  • Departure Lounge & Boarding Gates

✅ Final Summary

  • Narita Terminal 2 at a Glance

🛬 Arrival at Terminal 2

Once you land at Narita Airport Terminal 2, follow the overhead signs for Immigration (also labeled as “Quarantine and Passport Control”). Most signs are in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean, so navigating is easy even for first-time visitors.

🛂 Step 1: Immigration & Quarantine

Where to go first after landing at Narita Airport Terminal 2

Once your plane lands at Narita Airport Terminal 2, you’ll disembark and be guided through the terminal via enclosed passageways that lead to the Quarantine and Immigration area, located on the first floor (1F) of the terminal’s main building.

Follow the multilingual overhead signs (Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese) that say:

“Quarantine” / “Immigration” / “Passport Control” / “Arrivals”

You don’t need to make any decisions yet—just follow the flow of arriving passengers.

🔍 Quarantine Check (Health Screening)

Just before immigration, you’ll pass through a Quarantine checkpoint. Most of the time, this is simply a walk-through area, especially if no health alerts are in effect. However, during times of elevated concern (e.g., during flu season or outbreaks), officials may do:

  • Thermal scanning (no stop required unless fever is detected)
  • Document checks if you filled out a health questionnaire via Visit Japan Web

💡 Tip: Have your Visit Japan Web QR code ready (on your phone or printed) to show if asked. You may not need it here, but it helps with later steps too.

🛬 Immigration (Passport Control)

After Quarantine, you’ll be directed straight into the Immigration Hall, still on the 1st floor, right before baggage claim.

There are two lanes:

  • Foreign Passports (for tourists and non-Japanese residents)
  • Japanese Passports / Re-Entry Permit Holders

If you’re visiting Japan as a tourist, join the Foreign Passports lane.

Here’s what to prepare in advance:

  • Passport
  • Disembarkation form (this is now electronic via Visit Japan Web)
  • Visa, if your country requires one (most do not for short stays)

Once it’s your turn:

  • The immigration officer will scan your passport
  • You’ll be photographed and fingerprinted (index fingers only)
  • You may be asked about your length of stay or hotel location (answer honestly and briefly)

If you’re using the Visit Japan Web, your immigration and customs info is already registered, and you’ll show your phone screen to a staff member or scanner.

🕐 Wait times: Immigration lines at Terminal 2 can be long, especially in the mornings and evenings when many international flights arrive. Expect anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes of waiting time. There are restrooms before and after this area.


🧳 Step 2: Baggage Claim & Customs

Collect your luggage and prepare to enter Japan

After you pass through immigration at Narita Airport Terminal 2, the next step is to pick up your luggage and clear customs. Luckily, this part is straightforward—and everything is still on the same 1st floor (1F) of the terminal.

🎒 Baggage Claim

When you leave the immigration area, you’ll automatically be funneled into the Baggage Claim Hall. Look at the electronic screens to find your flight number and the corresponding carousel number.

What to Expect:

  • Baggage carts are free to use and available right by the carousels.
  • Airline staff are nearby in case your luggage is delayed or missing.
  • Luggage arrives quite efficiently in Japan—most bags come within 15–20 minutes.

💡 Tip: Keep your baggage claim tag (usually attached to your boarding pass) handy in case staff need to verify your bag ownership.

Oversized or Special Luggage:

Items like bicycles, ski gear, or baby strollers are delivered to a separate counter near the carousels. Look for signs that say:

“Oversized Baggage Pickup”

🛃 Customs Inspection

Once you collect your bags, proceed toward Customs, which is just ahead in the same hall.

There are two possible lanes:

  • Green Lane – If you have nothing to declare
  • Red Lane – If you’re carrying items over the duty-free limit (e.g., large amounts of cash, expensive goods, or food products)

What You Need:

  • Your Visit Japan Web QR Code (this includes your digital customs declaration)
  • Your passport
  • A brief understanding of your belongings—if asked, be honest and polite

There are self-check tablet stations in case you haven’t filled out the customs declaration online. These are available in multiple languages, and staff can assist.

📱 Visit Japan Web is highly recommended before arrival. It combines both immigration and customs procedures, making your arrival much smoother.


🛎️ Step 3: Arrival Lobby Essentials

Your first stop after clearing customs at Terminal 2

Once you pass through customs, you’ll officially enter Japan—and step into the Arrival Lobby on the 1st floor (1F) of Narita Airport Terminal 2. This area is compact and easy to navigate, but it’s packed with services you might want to use before heading into Tokyo or beyond.

📱 SIM Cards & Pocket Wi-Fi Rental

Near the customs exit, you’ll see counters and kiosks for SIM card and Pocket Wi-Fi rental. Some of the main providers include:

  • SoftBank Global Rental
  • NINJA WiFi
  • Telecom Square
  • Global WiFi
  • eConnect Japan

Services Offered:

  • SIM cards with prepaid data plans (daily or monthly)
  • Portable Wi-Fi routers (you can return them at the airport before you leave Japan)
  • English-speaking staff available at most counters
  • Credit card payment accepted

📲 Tip: If you pre-booked a SIM or Pocket Wi-Fi online, just show your QR code or confirmation email to pick it up quickly.

💱 Currency Exchange & ATMs

Still in the Arrival Lobby, you’ll find:

  • Currency exchange counters (Travelex, SMBC, etc.)
  • ATMs that accept foreign cards (7-Bank, Japan Post Bank, SMBC, etc.)

These are located just to the left and right of the exit from customs. Most ATMs support English instructions and accept Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, and more.

💡 Japan is still a cash-heavy country—especially for trains, street food, and small shops. Consider withdrawing ¥10,000–30,000 at the airport.

🏪 Convenience Stores

Need a snack, drink, or emergency item? There’s a 24-hour Air Lawson in the Arrival Lobby with:

  • Onigiri (rice balls), sandwiches, bento, drinks
  • Toiletries, medicine, umbrellas, and more
  • IC card charging (Suica, PASMO) available at the register

🎒 Luggage Delivery & Storage

Just past the arrival area, look for luggage services like JAL ABC or Yamato Transport (Kuroneko). They offer:

  • Same-day or next-day delivery of your luggage to hotels anywhere in Japan
  • Luggage storage if you’re planning to explore the airport or city before checking in

🧳 This service is especially helpful if you’re continuing to another city like Kyoto or Osaka via train.


🚆 Access to Terminal 2

Where to find trains, buses, taxis, and more at Narita Airport Terminal 2

🚄 JR Line & Narita Express (N’EX)

  • Location: B1F (Basement 1st Floor)
  • How to access: From the Arrival Lobby (2F), take the escalator or elevator down two floors to reach the JR East Narita Airport Station.
  • Services: Narita Express to Tokyo, Shinjuku, Yokohama, etc.

🚄 Keisei Skyliner & Access Express

  • Location: B1F (shared concourse with JR)
  • How to access: Same path as JR—follow signs for “Keisei Line”
  • Services: Skyliner to Ueno, Nippori / Access Express to Haneda Airport, Asakusa, etc.

🚌 Limousine Bus & Highway Buses

  • Location: 1F (Ground Level) Bus Stop Area
  • How to access: Exit the Arrival Lobby (1F) and go to Bus Boarding Area #1–#13
  • Services: Direct buses to major hotels, Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Yokohama, and more
  • Ticket Counters: Also on 1F, just beside the Arrival Lobby

🚕 Taxi Stand

  • Location: 1F (Same as bus boarding)
  • How to access: Go down to the ground level from the Arrival Lobby and exit through the main doors
  • Services: Regular taxis, jumbo taxis, fixed-fare options to central Tokyo

🚗 Rental Car Counters

  • Location: 1F near the central exit
  • How to access: Go to the middle section of 1F, near the escalators
  • Rental Companies: Toyota Rent-a-Car, Nissan Rent-a-Car, Nippon Rent-a-Car, Times, and more

🔁 Terminal Shuttle Bus

  • Location: 1F (Bus Stop Area)
  • How to access: Look for signs to Terminal Shuttle Bus—rides to Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 are free
  • Frequency: Every 7–10 minutes

🧳 Facilities & Amenities

Narita Airport Terminal 2 is well-equipped with everything you need for a smooth arrival or departure. Whether you need to relax, store your luggage, or grab cash, you’ll find plenty of convenient options.

💱 Currency Exchange & ATMs

You’ll find currency exchange booths operated by banks like Travelex and SMBC near the arrival and departure areas. ATMs that accept international cards (like Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay) are also located on all floors:

  • Arrival lobby
  • Departure level
  • Basement shopping area

💡 Tip: Japan is still largely cash-based, so it’s smart to withdraw some yen here before heading into the city.

🎒 Lockers & Luggage Services

Need to drop your bags while you explore? Use:

  • Coin lockers (available on all floors; accepts cash and IC cards)
  • Baggage delivery counters (for sending your luggage directly to hotels across Japan)
  • Luggage storage services (short- and long-term)

Many travelers use Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) to ship bags ahead, especially if they’re heading to multiple cities.

👶 Baby & Family Facilities

Traveling with kids? Terminal 2 offers:

  • Nursing rooms with hot water, changing tables, and privacy
  • Kids’ play areas
  • Stroller rental services (available for free)

🕌 Prayer Rooms

There are multi-faith prayer rooms located in both public and airside areas. These are clean, private, and offer mats and washing stations. Ask airport staff for directions if needed.

🔌 Wi-Fi & Charging Spots

  • Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal (SSID: FreeWiFi-NARITA)
  • Charging stations are located in seating areas, cafes, and departure lounges

✅ No registration is required for Wi-Fi—just connect and start browsing.


✈️ Departing from Narita Airport Terminal 2

What to expect when leaving Japan from Terminal 2

Getting ready to fly home from Japan? If your flight departs from Narita Airport Terminal 2, you’re in good hands. This terminal is clean, efficient, and well-organized—perfect for a stress-free departure.

Let’s make your final moments in Japan as smooth and memorable as the rest of your trip.

Terminal 2 is mainly used by Oneworld alliance airlines, including Japan Airlines (JAL), American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Qantas, and others. It handles both long-haul and short-haul international flights.

🛫 Check-In Counters (3rd Floor – Departure Level)

All airline check-in counters at Narita Terminal 2 are located on the 3rd floor, which is the main departure level. As soon as you enter the terminal by escalator, elevator, or car/taxi drop-off, you’ll be on this level.

What You’ll Find:

  • Check-in counters are organized by airline and flight number. Look for your airline on the digital displays above each row.
  • Many airlines offer self check-in kiosks where you can print your boarding pass and luggage tag.
  • If you have oversized baggage (like sports gear or musical instruments), there are dedicated counters at the far ends of the check-in hall.
  • Staff are generally helpful and can speak basic English if you need assistance.

💡 Recommended Arrival Time:
3 hours before long-haul international flights
2 hours for regional or short-haul flights


🛃 Security & Passport Control (Also 3rd Floor)

After you finish checking in and tagging your bags, proceed to the security screening area—it’s clearly marked with signs saying “Departures” or “International Departures.”

Security Screening:

  • Place laptops and tablets in a separate tray.
  • Remove any liquids under 100ml (they must be in a clear zip bag).
  • Take off belts, jackets, and metal accessories.

Once you clear security, you’ll move directly to passport control:

  • Have your passport and boarding pass ready.
  • You may be asked a few simple questions about your destination or duration.

Note: During morning and evening peak hours, both security and passport control can take 20–40 minutes. Business class travelers and those with mobility issues can use priority lanes.


🛍️ Departure Lounge & Boarding Gates (After Passport Control)

You’ve made it through! Now you’re in the airside area, where you can relax, shop, and prepare for boarding.

What You’ll Find:

  • Duty-free stores selling cosmetics, alcohol, snacks, and souvenirs
  • Restaurants and cafés offering Japanese and international food
  • Lounges, including the JAL Sakura Lounge for eligible passengers
  • Free Wi-Fi and charging stations throughout the seating areas

Boarding Gates:

  • Gates 60–70: Located in the main building (walkable)
  • Gates 90–99: Located in the satellite terminal (reachable via a shuttle train)

Final Boarding: Usually begins 30–40 minutes before departure. Japanese airlines close the gate right on time, so don’t risk arriving late!


🧭 Final Summary: Narita Airport Terminal 2

Easy to use, smooth from start to finish

Narita Airport Terminal 2 is a clean, well-organized terminal that’s great for both arriving and departing passengers. Whether it’s your first visit to Japan or the end of a memorable trip, everything is clearly marked and easy to navigate.

Quick Recap:

  • Arrivals (1F): Immigration, baggage claim, customs, SIM cards, money exchange, transport options
  • Departures (3F): Airline check-in, security, passport control, duty-free shops, restaurants
  • Transport: Trains on B1F, buses and taxis on 1F

It’s a quiet, efficient terminal with helpful staff and good English support. You’ll find everything you need—and leave Japan feeling well taken care of.

✈️ Safe travels—and we hope you’ll come back soon!

🎥 For more travel tips and guides on all things Japan check out the PiQtour YouTube channel!

NEWPopular Posts

TagTag Cloud

Pin It on Pinterest