{
  "id": 2724344,
  "title": "Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program returns after six years with free tours and festival experiences",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/narita-airport-transit-stay-program-returns-after-six-years-with-free",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-23T05:00:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SoraNews24",
    "slug": "soranews24",
    "url": "https://soranews24.com/2026/08/23/narita-airport-brings-back-free-sightseeing-tours-after-six-years-with-a-japanese-festival-experience-option/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "After a six-year hiatus, Narita Airport's Transit & Stay Program has returned with free tours and festival experiences. This initiative, aimed at transit passengers and foreign tourists staying near the airport, was first introduced in 2015 but was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is set to resume on October 1st, offering English-speaking volunteer guides who will lead visitors through the unique charm of Narita City and its surroundings.\n\nThere are six free guided tours available as part of the program. The first one is a 3-hour tour that takes you to Naritasan Shinshoji, a temple that has been around for 1,000 years, and the Omotesando shopping street, where you can purchase souvenirs and snacks from traditional stores. Naritasan Shinshoji is just a 25-minute train ride from Narita Airport.\n\nAnother tour is a 5-hour journey to Katori City, a riverside town with a traditional atmosphere. During this tour, visitors can participate in Sawara Hariko, a traditional paper-mache craft that is native to the area. This tour provides a deeper understanding of the local culture and traditions, making it a valuable experience for those visiting the area.",
  "summary": "Immerse yourself in a lesser-known side of Japan, minutes away from the famous international airport. Narita City in Tokyo’s neighbouring Chiba Prefecture tends to be overlooked as a travel destination, with a lot of overseas visitors bypassing it on their way in and out of the country through Narita Airport. The area around the airport […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program returns after six-year hiatus",
    "Free tours and festival experiences offered to transit passengers and tourists",
    "Six guided tours available, including Naritasan Shinshoji and Katori City visits"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The revival of Narita Airport's Transit & Stay Program offers travelers a chance to explore local culture and traditions, enhancing their airport transit experience with free tours and festival experiences.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}