Both HND and NRT are large airports — stay airside and pick one good meal rather than trying to exit.
- HND Terminal 3 (international): Tsuru Tontan udon and Ippudo ramen are past security on the departure floor
- NRT Terminal 1 Narita Omotesando food court has sushi and tempura sets from ¥1,500 post-security
- Get a Suica card from any airport machine if you plan to transit on a longer layover — no need to queue at ticket windows
Flying into HND (Haneda): 3-6 hours works if immigration is fast. Keikyu Line reaches Shibuya in 30 min (¥300) and Shinjuku in 35 min. Leave the city no later than 90 min before your departure. Stay near Shibuya or Daikanyama — they are closest and easiest to exit from.
- Keikyu Line from HND to Shibuya: 30 min, ¥300, runs every 10-12 min
- IC card (Suica/Pasmo) makes boarding faster — get one from machines in arrivals
- Set a hard return alarm: HND security can back up during peak hours
Flying into NRT (Narita): This bracket is very tight from Narita. The airport is 60-70 min from central Tokyo by express train. Staying airside is the lower-risk choice — Narita Omotesando food court (T1) and the Narita town shuttle are your best options.
A genuine Tokyo city visit is possible, but plan airport-by-airport — HND and NRT have very different travel times.
- From HND: Keikyu Line to Shibuya in 30 min (¥300) or Tokyo Station in 35 min. Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Asakusa are all realistic
- From NRT: Narita Express to Shinjuku in 80 min (¥3,070) or Skyliner to Ueno in 41 min (¥2,570). Stick to Ueno, Asakusa, or Akihabara — all near the Skyliner terminus
- Buy a Suica IC card at the airport — works on all trains and many convenience stores
- Leave city 90 min before departure from HND, 2 hours before from NRT
10+ hours is proper Tokyo territory. Even from NRT you have enough time for a full neighbourhood visit.
- From HND: 30 min to Shibuya gives you the whole city — Harajuku, Shinjuku, Asakusa, or Tokyo Station area are all doable
- From NRT: Skyliner to Ueno (41 min, ¥2,570) then subway everywhere — Asakusa is 10 min from Ueno, Akihabara 5 min
- Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) have excellent, cheap food — no need to plan every meal
- Suica card covers all JR trains, Tokyo Metro, and buses — buy at any airport machine for ¥500 deposit
