If you have ever had to spend an extended amount of time at the airport due to a layover…then you know how ridiculously frustrating and boring it is to just wonder around. Why not just do something fun! Many airports are located near or in the city of your destination. Many of them also have public transportation running to and from the airport, which makes it easy to get access to the nearby cities. Take the Narita airport in Japan for example. It is just outside of Tokyo, but if you re not brave enough to attempt a visit to Tokyo on your layover, than do what we did! Take the train from the airport and head into the beautiful city of Narita! In just a few minutes you will find yourself in the middle of a beautiful little village that offers wonderful sightseeing opportunities as well as excellent food. We happened to be their on a Sunday and with 8 hours to spare, we managed to attend the local fare, taste some local food and sweets, take a peaceful stroll around Naritasan Shinshō-ji Temple, have lunch etc… I was amazed that just 5 minutes from the airport you can find so much peace and tranquility. Compared the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, Narita is slow paced yet lively. People gather at the temples on Sundays for services and to meet with friends and family. I would absolutely recommend this mini trip if you happen to be at the Narita airport for more than 5 hours! Enjoy!
