The Museum of Aeronautical Sciences (qȊw, Kōkū Kagaku Hakubutsukan) is an aviation museum located just outside of Narita Airport at the southern end of its main runway. The museum is of interest to both plane enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike with lots of aircraft on display, as well as simulators and other hands-on activities.
Inside the museum you can see full scale replicas of historic planes and components of modern planes such as the landing gear and engine of a Boeing 747. You can also try piloting a plane at one of the museum's life sized simulators.
Additionally, the museum's third floor has an outdoor observation deck with a view of the southern end of Narita Airport's runway, while the fourth floor has a restaurant, and the fifth floor houses an indoor observatory modeled after a flight control tower. Both observation areas and the restaurant have good views of planes taking off and landing.
On a yard in front of the museum there are over a dozen aircraft on display, predominantly smaller propeller planes and helicopters. Some of the aircraft can be entered.
Besides the museum's observation decks, there are multiple public viewpoints around the airport from where you can watch the action on the runway. The Sakura no Oka and Hikoki no Oka observation areas are located near the southern end of the runway close to the museum, while the Sakura no Yama observation area is at the northern end. Observation decks are also found on each of the airport's terminal buildings.
Getting there and around
Museum of Aeronautical Sciences
From the airport
The ride from the airport to the museum takes about 15 minutes, and there are two types of buses to select from: JR buses and Narita Airport Transport buses. JR buses depart from terminal 1 and terminal 2 about once per hour and cost 220 yen one way. Buses by Narita Airport Transport also operate about hourly and are 10 yen cheaper, but less than half of them stop right at the museum (except on weekends and holidays when all stop at the museum); the other buses serve only the "Hakubutsukan Iriguchi" (ٓ) bus stop from where it is still a ten minute walk to the museum..
From the city center
Two JR buses per hour connect Narita Station with the Museum of Aeronautical Sciences (30 minutes, 540 yen one way).
Observation areas
A small number of JR buses between Narita Station, the Museum of Aeronautical Sciences and Narita Airport stop at the Sakura no Yama and Hikoki no Oka observation areas. Likewise, a small number of Narita Airport Transport buses connect Narita Airport with the Sakura no Yama and Hikoki no Oka observation areas.
Alternatively, the Hikoki no Oka observation area can be reached in a 15 minute walk from the Museum of Aeronautical Sciences, while the Sakura no Oka observation area is another 10 minute walk from there.
By taxi, it costs about 2500 yen to get from the airport to the Sakura no Oka or Hikoki no Oka observation areas and about 1500 yen to get to the Sakura no Yama observation area. All three observation areas offer free parking lots.
How to get to and around Narita
Hours and Fees
Hours
Closed
Admission
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Narita
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Narita Sando GuesthouseNarita Sando Guesthouse provides accommodation in Narita near Naritasan Shinshoji Temple and Naritasan Park. Narita Station and Keisei Narita Station is just a 5-minute walk. Free WiFi is provided. Free luggage storage is available on the ground floor. A shared lounge with a TV, microwave, complimentary water and tea is available. Tokyo Narita International Airport is 13 minutes by train from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Richmond Hotel NaritaA 5-minute walk from Keisei-Narita Station and a 10-minute train ride from Narita Airport, the modern Richmond Hotel offers rooms with free Wi-Fi, an LCD satellite TV and video-on-demand movies. Free shuttles to/from the airport are available at a first-come-first-served bases. The shuttle service cannot be reserved. The air-conditioned rooms at Richmond Hotel Narita have calm colours and green tea. A fridge and electric kettle are provided, and the en suite bathroom has a bath and amenities. Room service is available. JR Narita Train Station is 500 metres from the hotel, and Shinsho-ji Temple is a 15-minute walk. The front desk is open 24/7, and has luggage storage and rental laptops. Free-use PCs are available. Featuring a red-and-black decor and modern lighting, Stella Restaurant serves Japanese/Western dishes. It offers a buffet breakfast, lunch sets and a-la-carte dishes for dinner.View on Booking.com -
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HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER NaritaHOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Narita provides a fitness centre with an indoor pool, outdoor tennis, sauna and public bath. The property offers free airport shuttle to and from Narita International Airport, 10 minutes away. On-site restaurants and a bar offers panoramic views of the city at night. Another free shuttle service is available between Narita International Airport and JR Narita Station. All soundproofed guest rooms in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV. Each room has a private bathroom with free toiletries and a hair dryer. All units at HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Narita include air conditioning and a desk. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast featuring Western- and Japanese-style dishes. Guests can dine at Restaurant Gardenia overlooking a garden and serves breakfast buffet, Western-style lunch and dinner. Hourai serves Chinese cuisine, while Azuma serves authentic Japanese cuisine. The reception can provide advice on the area in order to help guests plan their day.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Nikko NaritaJust 10 minutes from Narita International Airport on the free 2-way shuttle, Hotel Nikko Narita features a seasonal outdoor pool, a 24-hour convenience store and 4 dining options. All rooms come with free WiFi. The air-conditioned rooms at the Nikko Narita feature relaxing colours and light wood furnishings, including a desk. A quadruple room is available for family stays. Guestrooms are fitted with a satellite TV, a fridge and an electric kettle with green tea. The en suite bathroom comes with a shower, bathtub and toiletries. Guests can relax with a massage in their room, and the front desk offers currency exchange, dry cleaning and luggage storage. Restaurant Serena looks out on a garden and serves a breakfast buffet with local and Western dishes. A Chinese menu is available for lunch and dinner at Touri, while Hokake serves authentic Edo-era sushi. Sunset Lounge pairs cocktails with night views of the airport. Shuttles bound for Shisui Premium Outlets can take guests there and back, at an additional charge. From Hotel Nikko Narita it is a 20-minute drive to Narita City and Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. An hourly shuttle service takes 15 minutes from/to Aeon Shopping Mall.View on Booking.com -
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Wakamatsu HontenJust in front of the scenic Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple, Wakamatsu Honten is a charming local property featuring large public baths and non-smoking Japanese-style rooms with free WiFi. A free shuttle is offered daily to/from Narita Station, upon advance reservation. The ryokan also houses a souvenir shop and coin-operated laundry facilities. Decorated in a traditional Japanese style, all rooms come with a futon bedding, a seating area and green tea sets. A flat-screen TV and personal safe are also included, as well as yukata robes. Bathrooms are either shared or private, depending on the room type booked. All rooms are non-smoking. Wakamatsu Honten is a 15-minute drive from Narita International Airport and an 8-minute drive from Aeon Mall Narita. The Museum of Aeronautical Sciences is a 20-minute drive away. It is a 50-minute drive from Tokyo Disney Resort. For breakfast, the property offers a Japanese set menu. A Kaiseki dinner (Japanese special set) is available with advance reservation, and can be enjoyed in the shared dining room or in guests' private room. Guests can relax at the indoor public baths, which are gender-separated and operate from 15:00 - 10:00 daily. Luggage can be stored at the front office. Free WiFi is available at the lobby, as well as in the rooms.View on Booking.com -
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Narita Tobu Hotel AirportNarita Tobu Hotel Airport is 10 minutes from Narita Airport via the hotelfs free shuttle. It features a fitness centre with a swimming pool, and offers rooms with free Wi-Fi. Guests can also unwind in the sauna and hot tub. The air-conditioned rooms at Narita Tobu Hotel Airport feature contemporary furnishings and include a flat-screen TV, a fridge and an electric kettle. Each room is fitted with comfortable double beds. The attached bathroom comes with a hairdryer and free toiletries. The hotel is a 10-minute bus ride away from AEON Shopping Mall and a 15-minute bus ride from Shinsho-ji Temple. JR Narita Train Station is 20 minutes away on the hotelfs free shuttle. Guests of Narita Tobu Hotel Airport can enjoy a buffet and a la carte meals including Chinese dishes at bright Oasis Restaurant, or sip an elegant drink at Compass Rose Tea & Bar Lounge.View on Booking.com -
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International Garden Hotel NaritaA 15-minute drive from Narita Airport, Garden Hotel offers a 24-hour fitness centre and modern rooms with a flat-screen TV. Guests can make free use of the rooftop hot tub. Within a 30-minute walk from International Garden Hotel Narita are AEON Narita Shopping Centre and Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple. JR Narita Train Station is located 2 km away. Rooms at Hotel International Garden are simply furnished and feature a traditional Shoji paper screen. They come with a private bathroom stocked with toiletries and a hairdryer. A breakfast buffet is offered at AVANTI, featuring a selection of both Japanese and Western dishes. An Italian menu is available during lunch and dinner. Facilities offered at International Garden include a laundry room.View on Booking.com -
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Meet Inn NaritaSet in Narita, within 12 km of Shisui Premium Outlets and 1.9 km of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, Meet Inn Narita features a restaurant and a male-only public bath. Local points of interest like Sogo Reido Sanctuary -Toshoji Temple and Chiba Prefectural Boso-no-Mura are reachable within 5 km and 9 km, respectively. At the hotel, all rooms are air-conditioned and fitted with a desk, a flat-screen TV and private bathroom. The units will provide guests with a fridge. Meet Inn Narita offers a buffet or Asian breakfast. Naritasan Park is 2 km from the accommodation, while Narita International Culture Hall is 2.9 km away. The nearest airport is Narita International, 8 km from Meet Inn Narita, and the property offers a free airport shuttle service.View on Booking.com -
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nine hours Narita AirportIdeally located inside Narita Airportfs Terminal 2, nine hours Narita Airport offers modern capsule rooms with a 24-hour front desk, and free WiFi at public areas. Each capsule is fitted with a comfortable mattress and a pillow. Shower room and toilets are shared with other guests. Amenities like bath towels, toothbrushes and nightwear are provided upon check-in. Personal lockers can fit up to 2 large pieces of luggage, and any other items can be stored at the storage located in the airport. Shisui Premium Outlet Shopping Centre is 11km away from Narita nine hours. Tokyo downtown area can be reached within a 40-60 minute train ride.View on Booking.com -
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Hilton Tokyo Narita AirportFeaturing 3 restaurants and a swimming pool with hot tub, Hilton Tokyo Narita Airport is 10 minutes from Narita Airport on the free airport shuttle. Rooms include a spacious bathroom with bathtub. Decorated in cool, calm tones, rooms at the Narita Airport Hilton offer views of fields and forests. Guests can try on the Japanese-style bathrobe and enjoy video-on-demand movies on the flat-screen TV. Certain rooms allow guests to stay with small pets at this hotel. JR Narita Train Station, AEON Shopping Mall and Narita-san Shinsho-ji Temple are all a 15-minute taxi ride away. Guests at the Narita Airport Tokyo Hilton can work up a sweat in the fitness room or work out the kinks with a massage. Matsukaze Restaurant serves Japanese cuisine in a light and airy setting, and authentic Chinese dishes are offered at the elegant Baien Restaurant. The open kitchen at Terrace Restaurant and Bar creates international foods and cocktails.View on Booking.com
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