A Japan-based travel and lifestyle blogger, @owncolorstravel shares recommended spots and practical travel tips for both domestic and international trips—aimed at fellow travel lovers and overseas visitors interested in Japanese culture.
For anyone visiting Japan, it’s safe to say that almost everyone knows Narita Airport. Together with Haneda, these two airports serve as Japan’s main gateways. Travelers always land at the airport before anything else, and that first breath of a new country—the scent, the atmosphere—feels fresh and exciting.
In this post, I’ll share what it was like inside Narita Airport Terminal 2, including my own impressions from using it on my recent trip.
About Narita Airport Terminal 2
Terminal 2 is one of the busiest terminals at Narita Airport. It handles both international and domestic flights, and its layout is intuitive even for first-time visitors. Overall, it’s a user-friendly terminal.
For my flight from Okinawa to Narita, I used Jetstar and arrived at Terminal 3. At large airports like Narita, it helps to check in advance which terminal your airline uses—you’ll navigate the airport much more easily.
On the basement level of Terminal 2, you’ll find Airport Terminal 2 Station, served by both JR and Keisei Railway. This makes it very convenient to reach central Tokyo.
The first floor, home to the international arrivals lobby, is packed with traveler essentials: bus and taxi stands, currency exchange, mobile phone rentals, luggage storage, and more. After stepping off a long flight, having all these services gathered in one place makes onward travel stress-free.
The third floor, mainly used for international departures, is the liveliest part of Terminal 2. Past the check-in counters and security checkpoint, you’ll enter a spacious duty-free zone—where it finally feels like your trip has officially begun. With brand boutiques, cosmetics, snacks, cafés, and more, it’s an area you can enjoy for hours. I personally recommend checking in about three hours early if you want time to browse.
Head up to the fourth floor, and you’ll find a restaurant area, various shops, and an observation deck where you can watch planes take off and land up close. This is the perfect spot to spend any spare time before departure.
Terminal 2 also offers several airline lounges and credit-card lounges, ideal for relaxing before a long journey. Having a quiet space to unwind is one of those little luxuries that make adult travel feel special.
Overall, Terminal 2 is well-balanced, with great dining options, convenient services, and smooth access to transportation. Whether you want to enjoy a “Narita gourmet” meal, do some last-minute shopping, or relax in a lounge, this terminal works for all kinds of travelers.
In this article, I’ll walk you through how to make the most of your time in Terminal 2, based on my firsthand experience exploring it.
Exploring Narita Airport Terminal 2
From here, I’ll walk you through how I spent my time in Terminal 2, following the actual route I took. Even a light stroll before your flight can be a great way to reset your mind. This time, I focused on three things: food, souvenir shopping, and lounges.
Narita Eats: Restaurants Before Security
Of course the meals you enjoy at your destination matter—but choosing what to eat at the airport is also part of the fun, right? Terminal 2 has plenty of options, whether you prefer something quick or want to sit down and relax.
Chinese Restaurant Shahoden Narita Airport Terminal 2, 4th floor, Narita International Airport
For this visit, I ate at a Chinese restaurant located before the security checkpoint. I stopped by when I stayed near the airport the night before.
Considering airport prices, the Chinese set meals were fairly reasonable. I ordered the Shrimp in Chili Sauce & Fried Chicken with Yurin Sauce Set. I’d been avoiding fried food while dieting, but I lifted the ban for this trip (lol). I was also tempted by their stir-fried noodles with mixed toppings.
The restaurant was comfortable and easy to use even when dining alone, so I can recommend it for solo travelers.
Here are the restaurants I looked up beforehand and wanted to try:
- Ginza Kagari (Kagari) – Available after security, Terminal 2 Main Building, 2nd Floor
- Botejyu Narita Airport – Located in Terminal 3
- Shake Shack – Before security, Terminal 1, 4th Floor
Narita Airport Souvenirs
Most of the souvenir shopping in Narita Airport’s Terminal 2 can be found on the 4th floor. It’s convenient not only for travelers heading out, but also as a “last-minute rescue spot” if you realize you forgot to buy something before returning home. The selection is huge—Japanese sweets, Western-style sweets, tea, local specialty foods, character goods, and more.
One shop that’s perfect for overseas visitors is Kaya, which carries a wide range of traditional Japanese-style items. If you’re into Japanese accessories or crafts, it’s definitely worth stopping by. I loved their bells and smartphone cases—they were so cute.
Another fun shop is Stylish Travel – Narita Airport Terminal 2, which sells anime-style, quirky stickers and other items that I think international guests would enjoy. After all, Japanese anime and manga are incredibly popular around the world! I personally loved these—I couldn’t help smiling (lol).
You’ll also find airport-exclusive snacks, limited-edition packaged treats, and travel goods. Anything with a “Narita-only” design or an airport-exclusive flavor makes for a fun, memorable gift.
I personally loved these—I couldn’t help smiling lol.
I.A.S.S EXECUTIVE LOUNGE 2
After exploring and shopping around the terminal, I wrapped up my time with a relaxing stop at a lounge. In Terminal 2, you’ll find not only airline lounges but also credit card lounges (landside / before security) for travelers with a Gold card or higher. These lounges are perfect for a quick rest before departure.
I visited the I.A.S.S Executive Lounge 2, located on the 4th floor. The terminal was quite busy that day, and I walked around looking for a place to simply sit down—but in the end, the card lounge offered the calmest, most comfortable space.
During the time I visited, it wasn’t crowded at all. They offer unlimited soft drinks, plus Wi-Fi and power outlets, which is a huge benefit. Just being able to set down my luggage and relax made a world of difference. If you’re the type who likes to “slow down before the journey begins,” this lounge is a perfect fit.
If you prefer to relax after security, the airline lounges offer an even more luxurious experience. With alcoholic beverages and light meals available, they’re ideal for getting refreshed before a long-haul flight.
Other Facilities
A new spot, Airport Café NODOKA, recently opened on the 2nd floor of Terminal 2.
It’s divided into different zones—café seating, private rooms, and shower rooms—making it a convenient place to unwind before your flight. The fact that it’s open 24 hours is a huge plus. You could take a nap before your flight, use it for an overnight stay, or simply rest during a long layover.
Terminal 2 also offers coin lockers, which are great if you want to leave your luggage behind and explore the area more freely.
Summary: Narita Is More Fun When You Arrive Early
Terminal 2 at Narita Airport strikes a great balance of dining, shopping, and lounges—
a terminal that truly gives you a reason to arrive early.
Even a short walk around before your flight can be refreshing, and spending some quiet time in a lounge makes the start of your trip feel even better.
If you’re flying out of Narita soon, I highly recommend planning a little extra time so you can fully enjoy everything Terminal 2 has to offer.