Steps to Narita

Northwest Airline 0020 brought us to Narita International Airport around noon time. It was a pleasant flight, although, we would have preferred an SQ flight. The flight crew of SQ were more friendlier and accommodating. Guess, it is because they were Asians like us.

Still, it was a smooth flight into Japan. I have been here before. Back in February 1998 and spent nearly two weeks. Still need to find those pictures with Chin. Roland, Maui, Honey, Nelia, Injong and the rest of the Philippine team attending that conference we called ENFT - 1.


Today, Chief and I share these steps. Rather, Jiru and Sheshiru as our names are said in Japanese. We stepped towards McDonalds but moved into a Japanese tea and donut shop. Chief got her coffee latte while I got a green tea latte. Trying to be health conscious. I quickly texted Bien Perez and Noelle Farol about us being in japan.

Narita International Airport is located in Narita, Chiba, Japan. The airport is in the eastern portion of the Greater Tokyo Area. I know the airport is one of the busiest hubs (but Kansai International would be busier). It serves as the main international hub of Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways. It is also a major hub for Northwest Airlines and a focus city for United Airlines. It does take an hour to get to downtown Tokyo and that is by the fastest train. The Narita Rapid Railway is scheduled to open in 2010 and hopes to alleviate the long travel time by shaving 20 minutes.

In July 2004, Bobby Fischer was detained at Narita Airport for allegedly using an invalid U.S. passport. He was trying to board a Japan Airlines flight to Manila. That news made the pages in Manila.