Don’t want to spend your time at Narita Airport waiting around bored? Head to the food court on the fourth floor of Terminal 1 or 2 for one last stop before departure! You can enjoy authentic Japanese ramen, sushi, or tempura to satisfy your appetite. After your meal, browse the shops on the same floor, where you’ll find everything from famous souvenir stores and anime merchandise to all kinds of general goods. Once you’ve eaten your fill and stocked up on souvenirs, you can go through departure procedures at your leisure, turning your wait into the ultimate Japanese food and shopping experience!
Narita International Airport | Review by Mei
Other Reviews by Mei
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Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route
This tour route goes through the Northern Alps, lined with mountains over 3,000m above sea level, stretching 37.2km, and the difference in altitudes from the foot to the top is up to 1.975m.
I finally added the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route to my itinerary this time, and the moment I saw Kurobe Dam with my own eyes, it honestly felt so unreal!
I took all kinds of transportation up the mountain. The higher I went, the colder the air became, but the views also opened up more and more. When I reached the observation deck and looked down over Lake Kurobe, the entire valley was so quiet that all I could hear was the wind. Although it was no longer the season for heavy snow, the patches of remaining snow on the mountaintops combined with the vivid green vegetation created even richer layers. Every casual photo looked like a postcard.
Standing here in the cold wind and looking at the vast scenery in front of me, it felt like all the stress that had built up in daily life was instantly blown away. I really love the sense of peace that nature brings. I recommend that everyone come experience it in person at least once in their life.
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Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle is the famous castle built by Kiyomasa Kato in 1607. It was built using the latest, cutting edge techniques at the time and was the setting of many important moments in Japan’s history.
Kumamoto in December was cool and refreshing. As soon as I left the station, I could see Kumamoto Castle towering in the distance. It looked exactly like it did in the photos—the entire castle was dark and imposing, with such a commanding presence that I couldn’t help but stop in my tracks.
What I wanted to see most on this visit was the legendary “Musha-gaeshi” stone walls. Seeing in person how the gently sloping walls suddenly became vertical, I couldn’t help but admire the castle-building craftsmanship of the Sengoku period. Just standing below and looking up, I could feel their overwhelming presence.
The inside of the castle keep has a modern exhibition style, documenting the battles the castle has endured and the reconstruction process following the major 2016 earthquake. The best part was reaching the top floor. The clear December air made the visibility incredibly good, with sweeping views of downtown Kumamoto and the distant Aso mountain range. The cool breeze was so relaxing.
After exploring the castle grounds, I stopped by Josaien, walking over a carpet of golden ginkgo leaves and buying some piping-hot local snacks to tide me over. Although it lacked the greenery of summer, the quiet, clear weather of early winter gave this castle visit a more serene atmosphere.
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