This page shows you how to get to Tokyo station from Narita International airport. Upon arrival at Tokyo, see our domestic travel guide for instructions to show how to get to the ski resort area of your choice.

WeLoveSnow.com recommend using the “Narita Express” ('NEX') to transfer from the Airport to Tokyo.

After reaching the arrivals hall follow the signs to the “JR Line”. The JR (Japan Railways) Narita Airport station is situated 1 floor below the arrivals hall in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. If you have any difficulty here please just ask the way to the “Narita Express” or show the following phrase to any airport official.

Where is the Narita Express? 成田エクスプレスはどこですか

At the ticket-counter of the JR Narita Airport station you will need to purchase a straight through ticket to Echigo-Yuzawa. Please print this page, and show the following phrases to the JR staff:

[For Yuzawa area]
Please can I have a ticket to Echigo Yuzawa? 越後湯沢までお願いします

[For Nozawa Onsen and Hakuba]
Please can I have a ticket to Nagano Station?　長野までお願いします

JR staff will provide you with a reserved seat ticket for the Narita Express and a separate ticket for the shinkansen “bullet train” these two tickets will cover your complete journey between Tokyo Station and Nagano or Echigo-Yuzawa.

All seats on the Narita Express are reserved please board following the car and seat number on your ticket. It will take 57 minutes to Tokyo station, after departing Narita Airport (terminals 1 and terminal 2), Tokyo will be the first stop.

On Arrival at Tokyo please allow 20/30 minutes to transfer from the Narita Express to the Joetsu Shinkansen or Nagano Shinkansen.

Finding the Shinkansen (bullet trains) at Tokyo station

Tokyo station is large but very well organized; each train line has a dedicated color. Look for signs showing “Shinkansen”. Print this page and use the following message if lost!

Please can you show me the way to the Joetsu Shinkansen?
上越新幹線の乗り場はどこですか  

Please can you show me the way to the Nagano Shinkansen?
長野新幹線の乗り場はどこですか  

The Narita Express usually arrives on the “sobu” underground platform located on the B5 level. First take the escalators or elevator up to the ground level, then look for the green coloured 'Shinkansen' line.

At the ticket exit barrier, insert the all the train tickets together - the ticket from Narita to Tokyo will be retrieved and the tickets to your final destination will pop out the other end of the gate machine.