Follow me for my 10-day itinerary around Mt. Fuji, Japan
As you might already know, I love exploring Japan with a rental car. This time, we found a super affordable rental company called Soukyo on Trip.com. The price? Insane – only SGD 490 for 9 days!
For comparison, last year I rented an old Toyota Corolla from Alamo and paid over SGD 700 for just 8 days. Big difference!
This time, we got a Toyota Prius (hybrid car) – which is great because it saves on petrol, and you won’t need to refuel as often. Perfect for road-tripping!
Cost breakdown (Soukyo Car Rental):
- Rental (9 days) – SGD 490
- ETC card rental – SGD 18 / 1980 yen (about 210 yen per day)
- Insurance – SGD 140 (optional – coverage is only up to SGD 2000, so it may not be worth it)
Also, a tip from the Soukyo staff: If you contact them directly, it might be even cheaper!
Soukyo Car Rental – Narita Branch
成田店
1124-76 Kichioka, Narita, Chiba 287-0225, Japan
Tel: +81-80-4612-0188
Things to Do Before Departure:
1. Get Your International Driving Permit (IDP)
If you’re planning to drive in Japan, you’ll need an International Driving Permit.
In Singapore, just head to the AA Singapore office, pay SGD 20, and you’ll get it on the spot. Super quick and easy!
AA Centre (Head Office)
Address: 2 Kung Chong Road, #06-01 AA Centre, Singapore 159140
AA GB Point
Address: 535 Kallang Bahru, #01-08 GB Point, Singapore 339351
️ AA Broadway Plaza
Address: 4190 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6, #03-03 Broadway Plaza, Singapore 569841
Application Fee: SGD 20
2. Fill in Your Immigration QR Code (Visit Japan Web)
Save time at the airport by completing your immigration and customs info online via the Visit Japan Web.
It generates a QR code that you can just scan upon arrival—no need to fill in paper forms.
3. Pack Smart
Worried about rain in Japan? I highly recommend getting plastic shoe covers—especially the high-cut version. I got mine online and they’re super useful for protecting your sneakers or running shoes when it rains. Just search rain shoes cover high cut. My are from taobao and it only cost me SGD5 plus and make sure is non slip at the bottom.
Day 1 – Singapore
Catching the Scoot flight that departs around 10 PM, heading straight to Tokyo Narita. Arrival is scheduled for around 6 AM (local time) the next day.
Day 2 – Arrival at Narita Terminal 1
Once you exit the arrival gate at Narita Terminal 1, you’ll immediately see a convenience store called Aeon Mini Stop right outside. If you’re feeling hungry or need a caffeine boost, it’s the perfect place to grab a quick bento or coffee while waiting.
I had arranged with Soukyo Rental Car to pick us up at 8 AM, and the driver had already confirmed via WhatsApp the day before with the meeting point and contact details.
Meeting Point: Outside the departure drop-off area (Yes, that’s on a different level!)
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Arrival Hall (T1): Level 1
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Departure Drop-Off Area (T1): Level 4
So don’t be confused—it’s a short elevator ride up from arrivals to where you’ll meet your rental car pickup.
Note:
Soukyo Rental Car doesn’t have a physical front desk at Narita Airport. Everything is done via phone or messaging in advance. Their actual office is about 15 minutes’ drive from the airport. Soukyo is not small company, they have about 70 cars to rent out.
Once at their office, you’ll fill out some paperwork, sign a few documents, and then you’re good to go!
Pro tip: Make sure to rent an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) card.
It’s a postpaid card that lets you breeze through toll gates without needing coins or paper money. Super convenient, especially for road trips!
Day 2 Kamakura → Atami
Destinations in Kamakura:
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Hasedera Temple (Hatsudera) – A beautiful temple with sea views and seasonal flowers 400 yen per person
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Great Buddha (Daibutsu) – One of Japan’s most iconic landmarks 300 yen per person
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Komachi Street – A lively shopping street full of local snacks, souvenirs, and small boutiques
Lunch at Kairikiya Ramen
We had lunch at Kairikiya, a chain ramen shop that’s popular among locals. We have 2 bowls of ramen and gyoza.
✅ Free parking right outside – super convenient, just like any family restaurant in Japan.
The ramen was delicious and comforting after temple-hopping.
☕ Coffee Break at Iwata Dessert Coffee
Perfect little café to unwind with coffee and dessert before heading to the next stop. (1800 yen for a dessert, a coffee and a melon soda)
️ Quick Shopping at Tokyo Store (Kamakura)
Stopped by Tokyo Store to stock up on Japanese snacks like:
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Beef jerky
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Dried fish snacks
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Japanese wine (nihonshu)
Tip: Spend at least 2,000 yen (around SGD18) to enjoy free parking here. Great place to stock up for the road!
Around 4 PM, we hit the road for Atami.
Drive time: About 1 to 1.5 hours depending on traffic.
Where We Stayed: Wisterian Life Club Atami
A peaceful and relaxing stay with refreshing sea breeze and soothing onsen vibes.
We highly recommend booking the dinner option in advance—it’s absolutely worth it! In smaller towns like Atami, things quiet down in the evening, and it can be tricky to find restaurants unless you’re in a busy area like Tokyo. Having dinner at the hotel is not only super convenient but also a great way to enjoy a warm, hearty Japanese meal without the hassle. Plus, it’s very reasonably priced—it’s part of the service they offer to guests, so you’re getting great value for the experience.
Make sure to enjoy your onsen bath before heading to the restaurant. It’s generally not recommended to eat right after a soak, especially if you have high blood pressure, as it can be dangerous for your health. Soaking in the onsen first helps you relax and avoid any potential issues with digestion or circulation.
Bonus point: Seaview room
When checking out of a hotel with an onsen, expect to be charged an onsen tax of 150 yen per person. Even if your hotel is paid for online, this tax is paid separately at the front desk. This fee applies only to hotels with onsen facilities. Free parking. Just inform the front desk about your car plate number.
Day 2: Exploring Mt. Omuro & Saboten Zoo
Mt. Omuro 1000 yen
We visited Mt. Omuro, an extinct volcano known for its stunning panoramic views. The Omuro Chair Lift costs 1,000 yen and takes you to the top, where you can walk around the crater and soak in the breathtaking scenery. If you’re visiting in summer, the volcano is covered in lush green grass—making it the perfect season to enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Saboten Zoo 2700 yen
Just a short 5-minute walk from Mt. Omuro is the Saboten Zoo, with an entrance fee of 2,700 yen. The highlight of our visit was definitely the capybaras, freely roaming around and soaking in their own onsen. Super cute! The zoo has a relaxing atmosphere and plenty of interesting animals to see—great for animal lovers or families.
Lunch at 7-Eleven total spending = 1952yen
We grabbed a quick and tasty lunch from 7-Eleven for a total of 1,952 yen (about SGD18). Our picks:
- Yakitori
- Mentaiko spaghetti
- Mapo tofu rice
- Dango
- Matcha jelly dessert
Afternoon Break: Ashitaka PA 愛鷹 Parking area (PA is smaller service area)
We stopped at Ashitaka PA, one of Japan’s expressway rest areas, and picked up a hot pork bun (nikuman) for 270 yen—perfect for a mid-drive snack.
Heading to Shizuoka
Where We Stayed: Grand Hill Shizuoka Hotel
We checked in to Grand Hill Shizuoka Hotel, a modern high-rise located in the heart of Shizuoka city. Parking is via an elevator-style system and costs 1,200 yen per day.
Since it’s easy to find food in the city, we skipped the hotel dinner and explored the nearby shotengai (shopping street). We ended up at Parco shopping mall and had a Chinese meal—known as chuka in Japan.
Total cost for two set meals: 2,460 yen.
We stayed 2 nights at Hotel Grand Hill Shizuoka
Day 3: Scenic Views & Shopping Around Shizuoka
Nihondaira (free entrance and free parking)
Started the day with a peaceful visit to Nihondaira, a scenic spot known for its sweeping views of Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay. On clear days, the views here are absolutely stunning.
Miho no Matsubara (free entrance and free parking)
Next, we headed to Miho no Matsubara, a beautiful pine tree-lined coastal area that’s also part of the Mt. Fuji UNESCO World Heritage Site. The contrast between the black sand beach, green pines, and Mt. Fuji in the background makes it a must-see! We had some tea and mochi snack (350yen) and later also had the Oden (650yen)
Sakura Tunnel (free)
Then we drove through the famous Sakura Tunnel. If you’re visiting in cherry blossom season, this road becomes a dreamy pink tunnel—definitely a highlight for any spring trip.
Mishima Skywalk – 1,400 yen per person (free parking)
After that, we made our way to Mishima Skywalk, Japan’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge. It offers thrilling views of the mountains and forest below—worth the ticket price if you enjoy scenic walks with a bit of height!
️ Aeon Mall Fujinomiya (free parking)
Before ending the day, we dropped by Aeon Mall in Fujinomiya. Did a little shopping at Uniqlo and had dinner at a Korean restaurant inside the mall.
Total for dinner: 2,816 yen – We ordered bibimbap and cold noodles. Super satisfying after a full day of exploring!
- Nihondaira (free)
- Miho no Matsubara (free)
- Mochi snacks and tea at Miho no Matsubara 350 yen and Oden 650yen
- Strawberry 600 yen
- Korean dinner (Bibimbap and cold noodles) in Aeon Mall 2816yen
Day 4
Shizuoka Castle
We started the day at Shizuoka Castle to see the sakura in full bloom . Entrance is free, and there’s a car park just across the road—only 300 yen for under an hour, pretty convenient.
Lunch was at a highway rest area, which was super cool as usual! Had a unique bowl of asari (clam) ramen, and picked up some local snacks too.
Next stop: Chureito Pagoda. We got lucky—the parking machine broke down, and the staff just waved us through for free . Perfect timing!
After that, we visited Oshino Hakkai (忍野八海). Parking cost 300 yen. Honestly, I felt this place is overrated—maybe it was the rainy weather, or the fact that we couldn’t see Mt. Fuji that day.
The food stalls were crowded with long lines, and the prices were on the higher side. It felt a bit like a tourist trap to me. For example, they were selling senbei (rice crackers) for 500 yen, which they heated up over charcoal in front of you. There was also a special kind of green mochi selling for just 100 yen each—quite reasonable, so I got one to try. The taste was pretty good!
But in general, most items were overpriced compared to what you can find at highway rest areas, which often offer more authentic and affordable options. Also, the crowd here seemed to be mostly foreign tourists, with very few locals around.
- Shizuoka Castle (free entrance, car park 300 yen)
- Highway rest area (Asari clam ramen 1150yen)
- Chureito Pagoda (Free entrance)
- Oshino Hakkai (Parking 300 yen)
- Green manju (100 yen)
- Dinner at Fuji Premium Resort (2200 yen per person)
Where we stay: Fuji Premium Resort, Fujikawaguchiko
The location of this resort is quite far from Fujikawaguchiko city—it’s tucked away deep in the forest on a mountain, so it gets really cold. Luckily, we had our winter wear with us. Even though it was already April 1 when we checked in, it actually started to snow lightly as we arrived at the hotel.
The good thing about this hotel is that it’s super affordable. But the downside is that the resort is very spread out. Our room was quite a distance from the front desk and the restaurant. We booked the dinner buffet for 2,200 yen per person, which was very budget-friendly and had a good variety of food.
There are multiple car parks scattered throughout this forest resort, which made it a bit confusing to navigate. To make matters worse, there’s another hotel nearby in the same forest area, and since there’s no clear signage or gates, it’s easy to mistake it for the same resort. We struggled to find our way to the restaurant—and later, to locate our car—especially since it was raining and dark, and we got a bit lost wandering around.
Room-wise, it was perfect! It felt like a mini studio apartment. The living room was spacious, and the bathroom came with a large onsen-style bathtub and an automated toilet seat—very Japanese! The room had two aircon-heater units, which were much needed since the room was huge.
There was a big sofa and a TV in the living area, a small dining table, and even a compact kitchen. When you enter, there’s a Japanese-style genkan (entryway) with a little stool for you to sit while putting on your shoes—very thoughtful. They even provided umbrellas at the entrance, which came in handy since it was raining.
Before I went to bed, I looked out the window—and the snow had started falling even heavier. It was such a beautiful sight.
Inside the wardrobe, I also found mofu (Japanese-style blankets). Definitely use them if you feel cold—they’re super soft and cozy.
I have to give the hotel room a full 5 stars—it really exceeded my expectations. For the price we paid, the comfort and space were way beyond what I imagined. Cozy, clean, and thoughtfully designed.
Day 5
Fuji Premium Resort
The minute I woke up, I was shocked—the snow had accumulated so much overnight, it was my first time seeing such a thick blanket of snow. The entire path in the forest was completely covered, and even the tops of the pine trees had turned white. It felt like we had woken up in a winter wonderland. Our first challenge of the day was finding the restaurant for breakfast, followed by trying to locate our car—which we had no idea where we parked the night before. Our rain shoe covers were left inside the car, and we really needed them, because walking through the thick snow made our shoes completely soaked.
Breakfast was buffet style, similar to the dinner the night before but with fewer options. Luckily, it was included in our booking. I’d highly recommend booking the breakfast here—there’s absolutely nothing around in this forest area unless you’re driving out.
Unfortunately, the snowfall was too heavy that day, so we had to cancel our plan to drive to Kawaguchiko. Because our rental car does not come with snow tyres and it’s not fit for driving in snow.
Instead, we booked the hotel shuttle bus to Kawaguchiko Station, but the earliest available slot was at 12:30 PM. The station was packed with anxious tourists—it was still snowing heavily, and there were people dragging big suitcases through the slush. The whole scene was quite chaotic.
We looked around for a place to eat and ended up at a small local Japanese restaurant that also doubled as a car rental shop. We had udon and karaage chicken, and the total came to 1,800 yen. Our hotel doesn’t provide lunch, but they do sell cup noodles if you need something quick.
After lunch, we walked about 15 minutes to Kawaguchiko Lake. We had already booked our return shuttle time for 3:45 PM, so we just strolled around the area for a bit. On the way to the lake, we passed by a few supermarkets and convenience stores and picked up some bread, rice balls, and dessert for our dinner later. Since we already had the buffet dinner on the first night, we decided to keep it simple and have a cozy meal in our room instead.
We also made a quick stop at the ropeway station to check out the cable cars going up and down. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to ride it since our return shuttle to the hotel was scheduled for 3:45 PM. By then, the station area was even more chaotic—it was getting dark, and many hotel shuttle buses were crowding the pickup zone with guests rushing to board.oi
When the Fuji Premium Resort shuttle finally arrived, we quickly got in line. It was clearly overcrowded, and the staff asked us to wait for the next bus. But we didn’t want to risk waiting in the cold, so we squeezed in and managed to grab our seats. In the end, the driver had no choice but to let one guest sit at the back where the luggage is usually placed.
We arrived back safely at Fuji Premium Resort and headed straight to our room to warm up with a hot bath. For dinner, we kept it simple—just some bread and onigiri we had picked up earlier from the convenience store. That wrapped up our Day 5. Honestly, not much happened besides being surrounded by snow in the forest resort. Everything was blanketed in white, with thick snow covering the paths. When we were at Kawaguchiko earlier, we couldn’t even catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji as it was still snowing and the sky was completely overcast.
Bear in mind, it was already April 1st—but surprisingly, the snow was still heavy and intense. It really caught us off guard. So if you’re planning to stay in the Kawaguchiko area around early April, make sure to bring proper winter wear and always check the weather forecast. You definitely don’t want to be caught unprepared in that kind of cold and snow!
- Fuji Kawaguchiko station nearby restaurant udon and karage =1800yen
- Lawson dinner bread and onigiri and snacks 1000 yen
Day 6 Hakone
We checked out of Fuji Premium Resort, and since we didn’t use the public onsen during our stay, we weren’t charged the onsen tax. The room we booked is standard room and only can take bath inside our room, not able to use the public bath facilities.
By then, the heavy snowfall had eased, turning into light rain. The once completely white forest was now only half-covered in snow—mainly on the ground, while the tree tops had started to clear.
We had arranged for a staff member to drive us to the car park since it was still too difficult to pull our luggage through the snow-covered paths. The distance from our room to the car park was quite far, so this arrangement helped a lot. At 9am sharp, the staff picked us up, and we handed over our room key. He kindly reminded us to be extra careful as our rental car didn’t have snow tires.
The road down the mountain was winding but short—just about five minutes. Still, we drove very slowly. Before that, though, we had to deal with our snowy car. The windshield was completely buried in thick snow, and clearing it was quite a chore—definitely a first-time experience for us. We only managed to clean the front windshield and didn’t bother with the snow piled on top of the car.
Big mistake.
While driving, we stopped at a traffic light and—bam!—a huge chunk of snow from the roof slid down and completely blocked the front view. I had to quickly jump out and clear it at the traffic light. Luckily, the cars behind were incredibly patient and understanding. No honking, no rushing—just quiet support while I sorted it out in the rain. Japanese drivers really do take things slow and calmly in bad weather.
Hakone Ropeway up 2500 yen (parking -1000 yen)
At 10am, we arrived in Hakone and parked right outside the ropeway station for 1,000 yen for the whole day. The ropeway ticket cost 1,000 yen per person to go up, and once at the top, we had to try the famous volcanic black eggs. At 500 yen for four pieces, th
ey were fresh, yummy, and had that unique sulfur smell from the volcanoes. You could really feel the volcanic activity in the air!
While we were up there, we also enjoyed a clear view of Mount Fuji. Luckily, there was no rain in Hakone, and the weather was absolutely perfect. The scenic spot was ideal for photos. While taking in the view, we grabbed a chocolate soft serve for 450 yen. The cone was super crunchy and fresh, and the soft serve was the perfect treat after exploring. Definitely a must-try!
- Parking outside ropeway 1000 yen whole day
- Ticket for ropeway 2500 yen per person
- Ticket for pirate ship 2220 yen per person
- volcanic eggs x4 pcs 500 yen
- chocolate soft serve cone x1 =450yen
- Open air museum 2000 yen
- Parking at open air museum 500 yen
Pirate ship 2220 yen
Next, we headed to the pirate ship, and since the boarding area was right next to the ropeway station, we didn’t have to move our car. The line for the pirate ship was insane—it seemed like everyone had the same idea! Luckily, we managed to get on the next ship. The ship is huge and can fit hundreds of people. It has multiple stories, and we chose to sit on the second floor, which was open but still offered some fresh air without being too cold.
Open Air Museum 2000 yen
After the pirate ship adventure, we headed to the famous Hakone Open-Air Museum. It’s one of the top attractions in the area, and the museum itself is stunning with its large collection of sculptures and art installations. There’s a car park available right at the museum, which is very convenient.
A quick tip: Don’t forget to bring your parking ticket to the ticketing counter for endorsement. This way, you’ll only pay 500 yen for 3 hours of parking, which is a great deal!
Where we stay: Wisterian Life Club Verde no Mori
We had our dinner booked in advance at the resort, which cost around 4,000 yen per person. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s always a good idea to include dinner when staying at a resort or hotel with onsen facilities. In Japan, it’s almost like an unspoken rule—onsen hotels often offer value-for-money dinner sets as part of their hospitality. It completes the whole relaxing experience: soak in the hot spring, then enjoy a hearty Japanese meal without needing to go anywhere.
This hotel is huge, and they actually have two separate onsen facilities. The larger one was incredible — it featured several different types of hot spring pools, each designed for a specific purpose, like relieving headaches, promoting better sleep, or easing lower back pain. There was even a sauna right next to the onsen pools, perfect for a full relaxation experience. It really felt like a proper wellness retreat.
Breakfast was served buffet-style with a good mix of Japanese and Western dishes. The variety was quite complete — plenty of options to choose from, whether you prefer a light or hearty start to the day.
Day 7 Yokohama and Tokyo
Heaving to Yokohama and on the way we stopped at Ebina Expasa service area. Snacks here are wonderful and so much variety. Local come here to shop and dine. A very good spot for food and shopping for omiyage souvenirs. I bought a lot of snacks home. We also have local specialities here. Super yummy.
- Takoyaki 777yen
- Jelly 387 yen
- Water 120 yen from vending machine
- Coffee 170 yen from vending machine
- Red bean dessert in can 150 yen from vending machine
- fresh strawberry 1280 yen
- Japanese mandarin 780 yen
Yokohama ramen museum 450yen
There is car park for ramen museum, do show them the parking ticket to enjoy discount. We didnt have ramen in the ramen museum as it is full of tourists. Instead we just went to bread shop in the neraby mall and found bic camera shop. Gotten a digital camera kodak brand
- ramen museum 450 yen
- parking 1000 yen
- Bread 713 yen
- Kodak digital camera 18000 yen at Bic Camera
Where we stay: Dai-ichi Hotel Ryogoku
Last year, we also stayed at this hotel — mainly because of its location. The subway station is just next to the hotel, which makes it super convenient. The room is spacious and offers a wonderful view of the Tokyo Skytree. We didn’t include breakfast or dinner since it’s more of a city hotel, but we were fine with that as there are plenty of food options nearby. Parking costs 2,000 yen per night, and we stayed here for two nights.
In the evening, we took the subway to Ueno to see the sakura at Ueno Park. Luckily, the cherry blossoms were still in full bloom, and there was a festive matsuri (festival) happening. The atmosphere was lively with performances, and many locals were enjoying hanami — dancing, drinking, and celebrating under the cherry trees.
There were lots of temporary food stalls, but the prices were quite high, so we decided not to eat there. Instead, we had dinner at a restaurant inside a shopping mall that served Okonomiyaki.
Here’s what we ordered:
- Okonomiyaki – ¥1,580
- Yaki Gohan (fried rice in a hot pot) – ¥1,280
- Butter BBQ Oysters – ¥1,580
- Warabi Mochi – ¥580
- Metro ticket 360 yen return per person
Day 8 Tokyo University and Shinjuku Garden
Tokyo University – Free Entrance
If you’re planning to visit Tokyo University, head to the Hongo Campus — it’s the most popular one due to its beautiful and nostalgic architecture. Just input “Hongo” into your GPS to get there easily.
Take note: entrance is free, but parking around the university is quite expensive. It costs around ¥300 for every 15 minutes, which adds up to about ¥2,400 if you stay more than an hour. If you’re driving, try to find a cheaper parking spot nearby or consider using public transport instead.
Shinjuku Garden (500 yen)
Shinjuku Gyoen
Parking here is quite expensive — we ended up paying ¥2,400 for just over an hour. That said, the sakura were absolutely beautiful, especially in the morning. The crowd started picking up after 11am, so it’s best to come early if you want a quieter experience.
Harajuku
As expected, Harajuku was packed with young people and full of energy. We parked our car at Tokyo Plaza (2000yen), one of the popular malls in the area. For lunch, we dined at a beef restaurant inside the mall, and our total came to ¥5,754.
For dinner, we kept it simple and went to an izakaya just nearby the hotel. It was a cozy spot with a great local vibe. We ordered a few small dishes to share and the total came to around ¥5,500. Perfect way to end the day without going too far!
Tokyo and Ginza
We took the JR train to Tokyo Station, and wow—it was absolutely packed with people. From there, we walked over to Ginza to check out the big Uniqlo flagship store. Honestly, nothing really special. It’s a 4-storey building, and while it’s huge, I personally feel like shopping online is way easier. Walking through all those floors and digging for the items you want is just too much effort. Definitely a place to skip if you’re not into crowds or hunting for clothes.
The top floor of Uniqlo Ginza is actually a Daiso, so if you’re looking for some cheap everyday stuff, you can check it out. But to be honest, I usually get all my cute things from Taobao online—much more variety and often cheaper too!
Day 9 Chiba and Narita
In the morning, we had our breakfast after checking out of the hotel — there was a 7-Eleven conveniently located right next door. After that, we headed to Mother Farm in Chiba.
On the way, we stopped at a rest area and grabbed a quick bite:
- Cold soba
- Clam asari ramen
- Taiyaki anko pie – 400 yen
- Raisin bread – 270 yen
- Parking at Mother Farm: 1,000 yen
Entrance fee: 1,500 yen (we booked through Klook for SGD12)
For dinner, we had yakiniku near Narita town — total bill came up to 7,106 yen. We had to return our rental car by 7PM, so we made sure to finish up in time.
Make sure to fill up the petrol before returning the rental car. Otherwise, they’ll charge an extra 1,000 yen as a handling fee — still quite reasonable, considering some rental companies actually charge double the petrol price.
The car rental company dropped us off at our hotel free of charge.
Where we stay? Hotel Nikko Narita
Last year, we stayed at Tobu Hotel, which is located next to Hotel Nikko Narita. This time, we wanted to try a different hotel. The room was small, but since it was just for one night, it was fine. There’s a 24-hour Lawson convenience store where you can grab your final snacks before departure. The hotel provides a shuttle bus to the airport — no reservation needed, and the bus is quite spacious. There are also several dining options in the hotel, including a buffet, a Chinese restaurant, and a Western-style restaurant.
Day 10 Narita Airport
Our flight was at 8am, so we needed to be at the airport by around 6. The hotel shuttle dropped us off at the Arrival Hall on Level 1, and from there we had to go all the way up to Level 4 to check in our luggage at the Departure Hall. The customs gate only opened at 7am, so we had some time to find breakfast.
There used to be a Lawson at the airport, but it was closed at that hour and now only opens at 9am. So I went back down to Level 1 to the Aeon Mini Stop stall at the Arrival Hall, which opens right at 7am. As soon as it opened, I quickly grabbed some curry bread, onigiri, dango, and a few other small bento snacks — a final chance to enjoy some delicious Japanese convenience store food before leaving.
So, if you’re staying at Hotel Nikko Narita and have an early flight, I’d recommend picking up breakfast or snacks at Lawson 24 hours. The Lawson at Terminal 1 only opens at 9am, which might be too late for early travelers.
Around 7am, the queue to enter customs was already super long — people had started lining up even before it opened. There were only two lines operating, so everything moved really slowly and wasn’t very efficient. Thankfully, we still managed to get through security and made it to our departure gate just before 8am. No time left for any shopping at all.