Realistic Time at Narita upon Arrival on JAL flight

[hubofhockey]

Our flight is scheduled to arrive at 4:15 pm on a Thursday.  

 

In addition to customs/immigration, we have to get cash, pick up pocket WIFI, maybe a 3-day Tokyo subway pass, Welcome Suica card.  

 

We are going to take the limousine/bus, mainly because it stops at the Tokyo Hilton (switched there from Okura) in Shinjuku.  There is a 6:20 pm bus to the hotel and 7:20 pm one as well.  Would we be safe on the 6:20 or just book the 7:20 to be on the safe side?  We can always grab a bite to eat if we are waiting.  

[marwood]

14 hours ago, hubofhockey said:

Our flight is scheduled to arrive at 4:15 pm on a Thursday.  

 

In addition to customs/immigration, we have to get cash, pick up pocket WIFI, maybe a 3-day Tokyo subway pass, Welcome Suica card.  

 

We are going to take the limousine/bus, mainly because it stops at the Tokyo Hilton (switched there from Okura) in Shinjuku.  There is a 6:20 pm bus to the hotel and 7:20 pm one as well.  Would we be safe on the 6:20 or just book the 7:20 to be on the safe side?  We can always grab a bite to eat if we are waiting.  

6:20pm should be ok. It takes about an hour to go through Custom and Immigration. An hour to get cash and tickets. Just do some research as where all the counters are located. The Limo bus ticket counter is near the exit to the buses. Suica cards can be purchased downstairs. Have one person watch the luggage so it will be easier. 

[hubofhockey]

Thanks, we’ll wait to buy tickets until we take care of everything else first.    Would love to get out of there in a couple of hours.  It’s two hours to the Hilton.

[monkey@cruise]

27 minutes ago, hubofhockey said:

Thanks, we’ll wait to buy tickets until we take care of everything else first.    Would love to get out of there in a couple of hours.  It’s two hours to the Hilton.

Can expedite the process (avoid wait in line with other tourists)
1. Use "Visit Japan Web" QR codes go through Custom and Immigration.
2. Purchase "welcome Suica cards" from vending machine (require passport scan)
3. Use "Welcome Suica card" as payment method on airport bus. 
4. Purchase metro passes from Shinjuku Station Metro Pass Office (require passport)
https://www.tokyometro.jp/lang_en/ticket/pass/counter/index.html

Edited September 14, 2023 by monkey@cruise

[BruceMuzz]

If you don't want to wait for the limousine bus, you can take the Narita Express Train instead. It runs more often than the bus, is more comfortable. and will get you to Shinjuku Station in 75 minutes.

Shinjuku Hilton is less that 5 minutes walk or taxi from Shinjuku Station.

3300 yen per person. Free WIFI.

[hubofhockey]

32 minutes ago, BruceMuzz said:

If you don't want to wait for the limousine bus, you can take the Narita Express Train instead. It runs more often than the bus, is more comfortable. and will get you to Shinjuku Station in 75 minutes.

Shinjuku Hilton is less that 5 minutes walk or taxi from Shinjuku Station.

3300 yen per person. Free WIFI.

Still considering that and it would save about 30 minutes.  Just am a little apprehensive about rolling luggage through the station looking for a taxi. The Rome2Rio guy says it’s a 14 minute walk and I assume that’s from the train, through the station, and then to the hotel. For us, it could be longer, figuring out which exit to take at the station.   

[cruiseaholic78]

Last year the Hilton Shinjuku ran a shuttle service between their hotel and the Shinjuku station, we used it quite a few times. I suggest you check with  the hotel for options and check which exit you will need, last year it was on the right hand side of the station

We have also used the limousine bus to get from both Haneda and Narita to the Hilton in the past worked well, we bought the tickets after arrival and collecting luggage. The desk was well manned and I would not bother pre booking tickets.

We also did the prebooking on Japan web, two Q codes each and we were through very quickly. There were guides at the airport pointing the right way every few meters or so, obviously one way to avoid unemployment!

happy planning

Rosalyn

[jars]

We are arriving in Tokyo next month, and have also completed the pre booking on the website.

But… how do we get the QR code onto our phone?

 

I’m sure there is a simple answer, but we haven’t worked it out! 

[hubofhockey]

6 hours ago, cruiseaholic78 said:

Last year the Hilton Shinjuku ran a shuttle service between their hotel and the Shinjuku station, we used it quite a few times. I suggest you check with  the hotel for options and check which exit you will need, last year it was on the right hand side of the station

We have also used the limousine bus to get from both Haneda and Narita to the Hilton in the past worked well, we bought the tickets after arrival and collecting luggage. The desk was well manned and I would not bother pre booking tickets.

We also did the prebooking on Japan web, two Q codes each and we were through very quickly. There were guides at the airport pointing the right way every few meters or so, obviously one way to avoid unemployment!

happy planning

Rosalyn

 

Thanks Rosalyn.  The express train to the shuttle probably makes a lot of sense.  Since the Hilton shuttle is so close, it probably runs frequently.  

 

We are still over 7 months away, so have time to do the Japan Web thing.  Was considering a JR Pass, but the prices are going way up to the point where it's cheaper to pay for the individual tickets (Narita to Shinjuku, Tokyo-Kyoto, and then Kyoto to Yokohama).  

[monkey@cruise]

8 hours ago, jars said:

We are arriving in Tokyo next month, and have also completed the pre booking on the website.

But… how do we get the QR code onto our phone?

 

I’m sure there is a simple answer, but we haven’t worked it out! 

You login to Visit Japan Web on your smartphone. Open your Register planned entry/return, under immigration and customs declaration, press "Display QR code", will show the codes  on your phone.
https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/howto/

[jars]

Thank you so much.

 

Hopefully it will make a quick, easy, entry into Japan !

[WESTEAST]

5 hours ago, monkey@cruise said:

You login to Visit Japan Web on your smartphone. Open your Register planned entry/return, under immigration and customs declaration, press "Display QR code", will show the codes  on your phone.
https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/howto/

We will be in Japan next spring, a few questions re Visit Japan Web:

- how far in advance should one register/log in?  

- for required contact information in Japan, did you input Cruise line/ship name? 

- can one use a Mac or just a smart phone to register/log in?

Thank you!

[monkey@cruise]

52 minutes ago, WESTEAST said:

We will be in Japan next spring, a few questions re Visit Japan Web:

- how far in advance should one register/log in?  

- for required contact information in Japan, did you input Cruise line/ship name? 

- can one use a Mac or just a smart phone to register/log in?

Thank you!

- Two weeks in advance is fine.
- Usually the hotel address where you first night stay. If fly in on embarkment day, will be
the cruise terminal address.
- Is easier using smartphone to complete the registration, because the app profile design for smartphone.  I tried using a tablet, ran into many glitches. After completion, you can use any device to edit or retrieve the info. 
- In declaration of personal effects and unaccompanied articles part:  "Point of Embarkation" - mean the last city that you went through customs before arriving in Japan. e.g. If your flight direct from Vancouver or Los Angeles to Japan, your Point of Embarkation is Vancouver or Los Angeles. If flight transit through Seoul, Korea, then is Seoul.

 

You need good understanding  on JAPANESE ENGLISH !😕

[WESTEAST]

14 hours ago, monkey@cruise said:

- Two weeks in advance is fine.
- Usually the hotel address where you first night stay. If fly in on embarkment day, will be
the cruise terminal address.
- Is easier using smartphone to complete the registration, because the app profile design for smartphone.  I tried using a tablet, ran into many glitches. After completion, you can use any device to edit or retrieve the info. 
- In declaration of personal effects and unaccompanied articles part:  "Point of Embarkation" - mean the last city that you went through customs before arriving in Japan. e.g. If your flight direct from Vancouver or Los Angeles to Japan, your Point of Embarkation is Vancouver or Los Angeles. If flight transit through Seoul, Korea, then is Seoul.

 

You need good understanding  on JAPANESE ENGLISH !😕

Wonderful clear information thank you very much.

[WESTEAST]

21 hours ago, monkey@cruise said:

- Two weeks in advance is fine.
- Usually the hotel address where you first night stay. If fly in on embarkment day, will be
the cruise terminal address.
- Is easier using smartphone to complete the registration, because the app profile design for smartphone.  I tried using a tablet, ran into many glitches. After completion, you can use any device to edit or retrieve the info. 
- In declaration of personal effects and unaccompanied articles part:  "Point of Embarkation" - mean the last city that you went through customs before arriving in Japan. e.g. If your flight direct from Vancouver or Los Angeles to Japan, your Point of Embarkation is Vancouver or Los Angeles. If flight transit through Seoul, Korea, then is Seoul.

 

You need good understanding  on JAPANESE ENGLISH !😕

A follow-up question for you:  our cruise stops in Busan, South Korea before re-entering Japan.  Assume we have to complete another Visit Japan Web?

[monkey@cruise]

49 minutes ago, WESTEAST said:

A follow-up question for you:  our cruise stops in Busan, South Korea before re-entering Japan.  Assume we have to complete another Visit Japan Web?

"Arrive Japan Web" must working with internet and for Japan airports arrival. When return from Korea, will use the paper forms.

[WESTEAST]

16 hours ago, monkey@cruise said:

"Arrive Japan Web" must working with internet and for Japan airports arrival. When return from Korea, will use the paper forms.

Thank you once again 😄

[SClakeliving]

On 9/13/2023 at 9:11 PM, monkey@cruise said:

Can expedite the process (avoid wait in line with other tourists)
1. Use "Visit Japan Web" QR codes go through Custom and Immigration.
2. Purchase "welcome Suica cards" from vending machine (require passport scan)
3. Use "Welcome Suica card" as payment method on airport bus. 
4. Purchase metro passes from Shinjuku Station Metro Pass Office (require passport)
https://www.tokyometro.jp/lang_en/ticket/pass/counter/index.html

What is the difference between "Welcome Suica Card" and a metro pass? I thought the Suica card could be used as metro card? Also is Suica good for both Tokyo and Kyoto metro?

[monkey@cruise]

4 hours ago, SClakeliving said:

What is the difference between "Welcome Suica Card" and a metro pass? I thought the Suica card could be used as metro card? Also is Suica good for both Tokyo and Kyoto metro?

"Welcome Suica card" is a Japanese IC card, a rechargeable prepaid travel card that can be loaded with funds and used for public transportation at train stations, metro stations, bus depots, and on ferries, and cable cars across Japan, where Metro card is a special ticket that allows travel on all train and tram lines that are members of a designated company (restricted by location and designated company). If you have been in London, "Welcome Suica Card" is similar to "Oyster Card".