There are 2 airports in Tokyo area
There are 2 airports in Tokyo area, Narita Airport and Haneda Airport. Each airport has 3 terminals in total. Visitors to Japan often ask me what’s the difference of these 2 airports and which is recommendable? As for the answer for this question, I recommend using Haneda Airport if you can find the best flight for you. This page explains about basic information to use both airports and some attractive sightseeing spots of there. Please check Narita and Haneda airport detailed pages to look for more details.
1) Narita Airport
Narita Airport is actually located in Chiba prefecture and not Tokyo. Many international flights arrive at this Narita Airport. Terminal 1 and 2 are divided by alliance members. Narita Airport’s terminal 3 is only for Low Cost Carrier (LCC) flights. Not all the LCC departs and arrives at Terminal 3 so please check your flight carefully.Narita Airport’s terminal 3 is located a bit far from 1st and 2nd terminal. It takes about 15 minutes walk.Various stores and restaurants are lined up and the observatory deck where you can see airplanes’ arrival and departure is popular too.
Narita Airport
Address：1-1 Furugome, Narita, Chiba 282-0004
Access from/to Tokyo station：
1.About 1 hour by Keisei Sky Liner
Tokyo station→Nippori station by local line (about JPY 160)
Nippori station→Narita Airport station by Keisei Sky Liner (about JPY 2,520)
2.About 1 hour by Narita Express train (JPY 3,070) ※One way, Ordinary car
3.About 1.5 hour by Keisei bus (JPY1,000) or Airport Limousine Bus (JPY2,800)
2) Haneda Airport
Haneda Airport is located in the middle of Tokyo so it is closer to the central Tokyo than Narita Airport. More domestic flights arrive at this Haneda airport than international flights. Terminal 1 and 2 are for domestic flights and International passenger terminal is for international flights. Haneda Airport is known as the largest airport in Japan and fourth largest in the world. Various interesting stores are lined up and the observatory deck where you can see airplanes’ arrival and departure is popular tourist spot too.
Haneda Airport
Address：Hanedakuko, Ota City, Tokyo 144-0041
Access from/to Tokyo station：
1.About 40 minutes by Keikyu line
Tokyo station→Shinagawa station by local line (about JPY 170)
Shinagawa station→Haneda Airport International flight terminal by Keikyu Line (about JPY 300)
2.About 30 minutes by Tokyo Monorail
Tokyo station→Hamamatsucho station by local line (about JPY 160)
Hamamatsucho station→Haneda Airport International flight terminal by Monorail (about JPY 500)
3.About 1~1.5 hour by Keikyu bus (JPY 720) or Haneda Airport Limousine Bus (JPY 950) (Early Morning/Late Night: JPY 1,90)
Summary
Narita Airport is main entrance of international flights and Haneda Airport is that of domestic flights. Of course, there are domestic flight at Narita Airport and international flight at Haneda Airport as well. In terms of distance, Haneda Airport is closer to the central Tokyo. Please check more details at Haneda and Narita Airport detailed pages.