Immigration/Customs Wait Times at NRT

Hi all:

A first ever visit to Japan is coming up. My plane arrives at Narita May 22 about 3:30-4:30pm. Been reading of long lines at immigration. From current observation/previous experience, does anyone have a general idea of how long it'll take to clear immigration/customs?

Thanks,


Kris

How long is a piece of string? That is the same question.

It is unanswerable. Too many varibles to going it.

Just allow yourself enough time to get out if you are planning someone.

In ten years of flying into Narita, it's never taken me longer than an hour to exit the airport. Of course this depends on time of day and other flights coming in, but your arriving early enough that you should have issues.

That biggest Reason is very simple "G7" starting date very close.
http://www.japan.go.jp/g7/
http://www.centrair.jp/resource/multi/article/g7ise-shimasummit.html
NRT is not close from Summit location but all int'l airports secure level already higher
(also domestic flight secure level will change soon)
so luggage checking time a bit longer than regular season especially 1st timer or depends on dep location/country.

Also in this year foreign travelers incresing by "weak YEN".
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/02/20/japan-foreign-tour...
So base traveler numbers not same than past years.

But maybe not so big different around 45-60 min enough.
(regular days ave, 30-60 min)

An hour max, never taking me, or people visiting me, any longer than that to get out. If you are tight on time, you should be more worried if your flight is delayed.

Despite the experience given above, unfortunately it is not the rule.

When I am travelling it normally takes about 45 minutes (quickest was about 30 minutes from the plane to exit).

However, I also do a lot of pickups and see the airport at different times. Longest wait recently (March) was 90 minutes and my guests were through quick for their flight! There was some kind of bottleneck and it delayed everyone at immigration (baggage and customs no problem).