Travel from Narita to Toyama

Bill Kropp (KROPP@MASTER.PS.UCI.EDU)
Tue, 16 May 1995 17:54 PDT 

Date: Tue, 16 May 1995 17:54 PDT
From: Bill Kropp <KROPP@MASTER.PS.UCI.EDU>
Subject: Travel from Narita to Toyama
To: superk@dsirae.lampf.lanl.gov
Message-Id: <01HQKVLSIK4GB61SOF@MASTER.PS.UCI.EDU>

Hi,

Here is some hopefully useful information on getting to Toyama from Narita
Airport.

The quickest and easiest way is to take the bus to Haneda Airport and then fly
to Toyama. You can also train to Toyama. I would guess it tales about 8 hrs from
Narita and costs a bit less. (Zoa can perhaps supply some details.)

The bus from Narita to Haneda runs about evert 20 to 30 minutes and takes about
1.5 hrs if the traffic is light. The first bus leaves Narita's Terminal 1 at
6:55 AM, and the last at 21:15. The cost is 2,900 Yen each way. In Narita's
Terminal 1, turn right after leaving the customs area and watch for the Airport
Limousine ticket counter on the left. You will need to buy your ticket
on the same day you take the bus. The bus leaves from near this counter.

The flight from Haneda to Toyama takes about 1 hour and costs about $175. Here
is the current schedule. (It changes occasionally so check with your friendly
travel agent.)

Haneda to Toyama			Toyama to Haneda

Flight Number	Departs			Flight Number	Departs
881		 7:30 AM		882		8:00 AM
883		 9:55			884		9:15
885		11:20			886		1:00 PM
887		 1:20 PM		888		3:05
889		 4:00			890		6:05
891		 6:50			892		7:30

Most planes from the West Coast arrive at Narita Airport rather late in the day,
making a same day flight to Toyama difficult if not impossible.  So, a hotel is
necessary in Narita (or Haneda). 

Two known hotels are the Let's in Narita city and the Narita View (about half
way between the city and the airport).

The Let's (FAX 0476-23-0220) is convenient because it is in the city, and is a
nice hotel with english speaking personnel. I have stayed there several times.
The cost is 8,240 Yen including a free breakfast and one way Taxi fare (about
$30). In the city there are many eating places including a McDonalds for folks
lacking refined taste and culture. There are also eel restaurants where you can
watch as they nail your dinner to a board and skin it alive.  The city has a
very nice shrine (Naritasan Shinshoji) within walking distance of the Let's.
Worth a visit even at night. In addition to taxi, you can reach the hotel by
train on the Keisei line (240 Yen, every 20 min or so). (In Terminal 1 turn left
after exiting customs and then go down to the Keisei station. Get off the train
at Narita City, the second stop.  From the station, go straight across the busy
square to the street and turn left about 1 block. I can supply a map.)

Here are Bob Svoboda's comments on the Narita View:

"... Narita View has 3-4 eating places in the hotel that are quite reasonable,
even poolside coffee shop where you can get "western style" food, if you like
such things. There is a free bus every 30 minutes or so to downtown Narita if
you want to go there to eat. Also stops at Jusco Dept. store on the way." He
also comments that the price is 6,000 Yen and there is free bus service between
the Hotel and Narita. (Voice 0476-32-111.)

There are many of other hotels in the Narita area. I have not checked for hotels
near Haneda Airport.

It is about a 20 min drive from the Toyama Airport to Osawano where the
apartments are located. Pickups are possible but people should try to arrive in
groups to avoid overtaxing the hospitality of those already there! The cost of a
taxi I would guess (wildly?) at 3,000 Yen. There is a bus to Toyama station and
then one to Osawano ... a grind with luggage and if you don't know the busses. 

Happy traveling.

Bill