Travellers passing through or staying near Narita Airport will soon have more reasons to venture beyond the terminal.
The Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program will relaunch on 1 October 2026, after a six-year suspension, offering international visitors a range of local experiences across six municipalities surrounding the airport.
Experiences will cover the region's history, culture, nature and cuisine, with options designed for both transit passengers with limited time and travellers staying for several days.
The original programme, launched in 2015, used more than 200 volunteer guides, including local residents and students, to introduce visitors to the area. The relaunched programme will retain these guided experiences while adding a new Transit & Stay Plus Tour series of paid activities guided by professionals.
The volunteer-led tours typically run for three to five hours, with no charge for guiding services, although participants cover their own transport, admission and other expenses. Bookings for these tours open on 15 September.
Meanwhile, the new paid Transit & Stay Plus Tour tours will run for half or full days and offer more specialised experiences unique to the region.
Examples of these paid tours include festival float-pulling, exploring the ninja culture, as well as temple stays and Buddhist trainings.
The six municipalities:
Narita city: Full Japanese cultural experience at 1,000 year-old temple
Katori city: Riverside town rich in Edo-period charm and traditional crtaftmanship
Tako town: Rural Japan, countryside scenery
Shibayama town: Museum of aeronautical sciences
Sakae town: The art of yukata dressing, and the samurai era
Kozaki town: Sake brewery tour