Sleeping in Airports

Sleeping in Tokyo Narita Airport

Sleeping in Tokyo Narita AirportWhether your situation calls for a short nap or an overnight slumber, this sleep guide will give you the essential information needed to prepare you for sleeping in Tokyo Narita Airport.

Our guide is updated with the help of airport sleepers who tell us about their experiences at Tokyo Narita Airport. If you have a tip to share, write a review to help us keep this sleep guide up-to-date!

Covid-19 Update: This sleep guide was written before Covid-19, so the information may have changed.  In October 2021, we will be starting our first guide update since March 2020.  A lot has changed, so it’s going to be a massive update.  If you are interested in helping,  click here to add or update information or write a review to add tips or share photos to help future travellers .

This guide was last updated: 17 September 2019. Read the latest traveller reviews.

Sleeping in Tokyo Narita Airport

Locations & Seating

The seating here is plentiful! You’ll find a variety of benches and couches, including some without armrests, particularly in areas inside Security. Terminal 1 seems to be the most comfortable overall, and overnight sleepers here are corralled to a specific area with benches and carpeting. In Terminal 3, you’ll find a number of lie-flat couches.

Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:

  • Try resting on the comfy benches inside cafes that close for the night.
  • The North Waiting Area, between Terminals 2 and 3, has couches and tatami mats for stretching out.

Rest Zones

Tokyo Narita Airport seems to offer designated rest zones where tired travellers can relax and enjoy some stress-free time before their flight.  Information is not available on the Narita web site, so you can add locations by clicking here to update this section. (Don’t forgot to include the terminal # in your tip)

Airport Environment

At the time of this update, we have not received recent reports from travellers related to the overall terminal environment, such as temperature, lighting, and noise – it may be due to the general pleasant vibes. Still, here are some good expectations:

  • Temperature: Expect the airport to cool down at night, with air conditioning running and fewer people inside.
  • Noise: Even as overnight flights slow down or stop entirely, the airport may still run announcements and cleaning crews may make the rounds, so anticipate some noise.
  • Lighting: The airport may stay bright thanks to around-the-clock lights, but certain corners may be dimly lit.

Arrive prepared! We recommend earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones, an extra layer of warmth, and eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.

Pro-tip: If you chose a spot near any eateries, keep in mind that the staff arrive early and they can get pretty loud in the kitchen.

Showers

Freshen up (and loosen those stiff muscles) with a shower before your flight. Pay-to-use shower facilities are available for ¥1,030, which includes 30 minutes access to a shower cubicle plus toiletries, towels, and a hair dryer. Locations: Terminal 1, pre-Security, Floor 2; Terminal 1, inside Security, Floor 3; and Terminal 2, inside Security, Floor 3. Hours vary by location, but generally from 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM.

Hotel airports also offer shower-only packages for non-guests. See our Tokyo Narita Airport Guide for details.

Food & Drink

When you get the midnight munchies or give up trying to sleep and need a coffee to stay awake, 24-hour food concessions are available. Check out Yoshinoya in Terminal 2, Floor 2. Convenience stores that are open 24-hours include: Lawsons in Terminals 1 and 3, and 7-Eleven in Terminal 2.

Hotels

narita airport hotelsPrefer some privacy and comfort? If you would like a good solid sleep between flights without the stress of going through security, a transit hotel is available. Day Rooms are located in Terminals 1 and 2, open to any travellers who is in transit. Day rooms are rented hourly and you can choose from single or double options, with an ensuite shower and toilet. Check into Terminal 1 between 7:00AM – 8:00PM or Terminal 2 between 7:00AM and 8:30PM.

If you’re not in transit or looking for a longer stay, check out Nine Hours Narita Airport, which is a 24-hour capsule hotel located at Terminal 2 in the Cary Park. Rent overnight or by the hour.

More traditional hotels are located within a quick drive of the airport. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations or visit Tripadvisor to find hotels deals at Narita Airport.

Lounges

narita airport loungesWhile Tokyo Narita Airport has several lounges, none have designated sleep rooms or rest areas. If you just want to relax in a comfortable seat, check out this list of lounges in our Tokyo Narita Airport Guide that you can pay to access.

Buy a Lounge Pass

Security & Safety

At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Tokyo Narita Airport. Many travellers report feeling very safe thanks to the Japanese culture and nearby security guards. As a precaution, here are a few tips to ensure you have a safe airport sleeping experience:

  • Know Where Security is Located. Whether you are sleeping in the airport alone or with friends, it is good to know where security is. Know where their office is located and look for video cameras where you decide to stay the night. Ask security where it is safe to spend the night. They’ve probably seen many airport sleepers before you, and they will direct you to a safe spot.
  • Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you are travelling alone, we recommend that you sleep near other travellers or close to security.
  • Hide Your Valuables. Don’t leave all your mobile devices out in plain view. We have received reports from people who woke up with only earphones and a laptop bag strap, but without the iPods or laptops that were attached. The same goes for important documents and money. Keep these secure on your body so no one can get them without waking you up.
  • Secure Your Bags. If you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something. If your bags have zippers turn the bag upside down (zippers to the floor) or sleep with your bag up against the wall so that it would be hard for someone to access it.
  • Choose to Stay Alert. If you don’t feel safe, drink coffee, stay alert, and stay awake. You can always sleep on the plane!

Pro-tip: If you are sleeping in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds waking people up as travellers begin to arrive for morning flights.

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