Katya from Russia – Layover in Narita Airport Terminal 2
Travel is full of surprises, and sometimes, what seems like an inconvenience—like a long layover—can turn into one of the most memorable parts of your entire journey. That’s exactly what happened to me, Katya from Russia, and my three best friends. On our way to Australia, we had a 12-hour layover in Tokyo, Japan, and instead of spending it sitting in an airport lounge or aimlessly wandering around, we experienced an unforgettable taste of Japanese culture—all thanks to a wonderful company called Japan Travel Assist. Layover Tour Haneda Narita Tokyo
Our Journey Begins
The four of us—me (Katya), Lena, Dasha, and Marina—had been dreaming of visiting Australia for years. After a lot of planning, we finally booked our tickets, and our route included a 12-hour stopover in Tokyo’s Narita Airport Terminal 2. We would arrive at 4:00 AM and depart for Sydney at 4:00 PM.
At first, we weren’t sure what to do with such a long layover. Twelve hours is a lot of time, especially in a city as exciting as Tokyo—but arriving at 4 AM presented a challenge. We quickly realized that public transportation—buses, trains, and subways—wouldn’t be operating that early. Getting into Tokyo city center on our own would be difficult, and we were worried about managing our luggage and staying on schedule.
That’s when we had an idea: What if we booked a guided layover tour?
Discovering Japan Travel Assist
We started researching companies that offer layover tours from Narita Airport. After scrolling through several options and reading reviews, we came across a highly rated company called Japan Travel Assist. Their website looked professional, and the services sounded exactly like what we needed—customized layover tours with private car and guide, early morning pickups, and local experiences off the typical tourist path.
We sent a message to them on WhatsApp, hoping for a quick response.
To our surprise, within just a few minutes, a kind and energetic woman named Sofia replied.
Planning Our Tokyo Layover
Sofia was amazing. She quickly understood our situation and asked what we were interested in seeing and doing. We told her we wanted a tour by car, since public transport wasn’t an option that early, and we were carrying hand luggage. Our wishlist included:
- Visiting a flea market
- Exploring local Japanese jewelry and accessories
- Tasting traditional sweets and desserts
- Sampling and buying Japanese sake and umeshu (plum wine)
Sofia sent us a few itinerary suggestions based on our interests and the time we had. Everything was flexible. She even offered us help with storing our bags during the tour and recommended how much cash to bring for local markets.
Within half an hour, everything was arranged. We couldn’t believe how easy and smooth it was!
Early Morning Arrival and Pickup
We landed at Narita Airport Terminal 2 exactly at 4:00 AM. After passing through immigration and collecting our things, we walked out to meet our guide. Waiting for us was a professional driver with a comfortable, spacious van, and—best of all—Sofia herself.
Despite the early hour, she greeted us with a big smile and cheerful energy. She spoke fluent English and made us feel instantly welcome. The van was clean, air-conditioned, and stocked with bottled water, tissues, and even phone chargers. We relaxed into our seats, excited for the day ahead.
First Stop: Morning Flea Market
Our first destination was a local flea market held just outside central Tokyo. Sofia had explained that these markets pop up on certain days and are a treasure trove for lovers of antiques, handmade goods, and vintage items.
We arrived just as the vendors were setting up, which gave us a head start on browsing. The air was cool and fresh, with the smell of brewed coffee and grilled street snacks filling the morning breeze. We wandered through rows of stalls filled with:
- Vintage kimono fabric and silk scarves
- Old samurai figurines and Japanese calligraphy tools
- Hand-carved wooden chopsticks and ceramic tea cups
- Antique brooches, coins, and paper fans
Lena found a beautiful bronze pendant shaped like a koi fish. Dasha picked up a porcelain sake cup painted with a mountain scene. I bought an old-fashioned pocket mirror with sakura (cherry blossom) engravings. Bargaining was polite and friendly, and the vendors were happy to explain the history of their goods.
It was the perfect way to begin our tour—calm, local, and full of surprises.
Second Stop: Japanese Traditional Sweets
Next, Sofia took us to a tiny wagashi shop, hidden in a quiet Tokyo neighborhood. Wagashi are traditional Japanese confections, often made from rice flour, sweet bean paste, and seasonal fruits or flowers. The shop was over 80 years old and run by a family that had been making sweets for three generations.
We tasted:
- Daifuku – soft mochi balls filled with red bean paste and fresh strawberries
- Dorayaki – fluffy pancakes filled with chestnut cream
- Yokan – jelly-like sweets made from sweet beans and agar
- Matcha warabi mochi – soft, chewy cubes dusted with green tea powder
Each sweet looked like a miniature work of art. We sat down with warm green tea and admired the craftsmanship. We even got to try making our own mochi under the guidance of the shop owner’s wife. It was such a fun and delicious experience.
We left with several boxes of sweets packed neatly for travel. We knew our taste of Japan would continue even on the next leg of our journey.
Third Stop: Japanese Jewelry and Artisans
After satisfying our sweet tooth, we visited a local artisan studio known for handmade Japanese jewelry and accessories. The space was peaceful and beautiful, with soft music and the quiet clinking of metal tools. Sofia had arranged a short demonstration for us, and we watched in awe as the artists created elegant rings and necklaces from silver and enamel.
The designs were inspired by nature—waves, mountains, cherry blossoms, and koi fish. Some pieces incorporated small origami shapes made from thin sheets of metal.
Each of us found something special. Marina chose a pair of plum blossom earrings, while I selected a necklace shaped like Mount Fuji with a tiny pearl as the “snow.” The artists even offered to engrave initials or short messages on the back.
Shopping there felt meaningful. We weren’t just buying jewelry—we were supporting real artists and taking home a part of Japanese culture.
Fourth Stop: Sake and Umeshu Tasting
No visit to Japan is complete without exploring its famous alcoholic beverages. We told Sofia we wanted to try sake and umeshu, and she took us to a boutique liquor shop that specialized in regional brands.
The shopkeeper gave us a private tasting session. He spoke limited English, but Sofia translated everything with ease. We learned about:
- The difference between junmai and daiginjo sake
- How umeshu is made from green plums, sugar, and shochu
- Seasonal limited editions flavored with yuzu or cherry blossom
We tasted sweet and dry varieties, and each sip had its own unique character. It was smooth, fragrant, and nothing like anything we’d had back home.
We bought a few bottles to take with us—beautifully packaged and wrapped in traditional furoshiki cloth. It was the perfect souvenir for ourselves and our families.
Bonus Stop: Japanese Convenience Store Experience
As a fun final request, we asked Sofia to take us to a 7-Eleven or Lawson convenience store. We had heard so much about Japanese convenience stores and wanted to see what the hype was about.
She laughed and happily obliged.
We were amazed. The store was spotless and organized, and filled with fresh bento meals, rice balls, matcha desserts, and even limited edition KitKats. We bought snacks for the flight—onigiri, canned coffee, dried squid (why not?), and some beauty products like face masks and Japanese toothpaste.
Even this “everyday” stop turned out to be fun and full of surprises.
Saying Goodbye
By 2:30 PM, Sofia and the driver brought us back to Narita Terminal 2. We were relaxed, full of new experiences, and completely amazed at how much we had seen and done in just a few hours.
Sofia helped us retrieve our luggage, walked us to the departure hall, and gave each of us a small goodbye gift—a folded origami crane for good luck.
We hugged like old friends.
Final Thoughts
What started as a long, uncertain layover became a highlight of our entire journey. Thanks to Japan Travel Assist, we didn’t just see Tokyo—we felt it. We connected with its people, tasted its flavors, touched its traditions, and made real memories. It was personal, authentic, and stress-free.
We highly recommend Japan Travel Assist to anyone with a layover in Tokyo. Their service was exceptional from start to finish. Layover Tour Haneda Narita Tokyo
Here’s what stood out:
- Quick, friendly communication via WhatsApp
- Flexible and personalized itinerary
- Safe, comfortable transportation
- Local experiences off the beaten path
- Warm and genuine hospitality
We didn’t just hire a tour company—we made friends in Japan.
Thank you, Sofia and Japan Travel Assist, for showing us the heart of Tokyo in just 12 hours.
We’ll be back.