[Part 2] Enjoy the history and cuisine of Naritasan in Chiba Prefecture, and get a close-up look at planes taking off and landing at Narita Airport! / A must-see motorcycle touring spot

[Part 1] Enjoy the history and cuisine of Naritasan in Chiba Prefecture, and get a close-up look at planes taking off and landing at Narita Airport! / A must-see motorcycle touring spot

It’s so exciting! Experience passenger and cargo planes take off and land right before your eyes

Huge aircraft making U-turns one after another towards the runway.

After fully enjoying Naritasan Shinshoji Temple and Omotesando, which we introduced in Part 1, let’s go see the giant planes taking off and landing on the runway at Narita Airport. Even if you’re not interested in aircraft, you’ll be blown away by this impressive sight (especially the landing of large planes).

Narita Airport was originally planned to be built in Tomisato City, next to Narita City, as the “New Tokyo International Airport” to replace Haneda Airport, but this was cancelled due to fierce opposition from local residents. As a result, the planned site for the airport was changed to the area around Sanrizuka in Narita City, which is adjacent to Tomisato City (Note 1).

After many twists and turns, including a strong opposition movement to its construction, Narita Airport took on the role of an international terminal airport and opened in 1978 (Showa 53). Currently, there are two railway lines that connect directly to the airport: the JR line and the Keisei line (the government has reserved two lines in case of an emergency). The airport is used by many tourists and business people 365 days a year.

※注1:この土地は県有地を含む、皇室用財産である下総御料牧場を中心とするエリアであったため、政府は用地取得のハードルが低いと考えたのが主な理由。

You can even see a large aircraft landing! “Sakuranoyama, Narita City”

Travel east from Naritasan Shinshoji Temple by motorbike or car for about 20 minutes and you’ll arrive at Narita City Sakuranoyama, a great spot to view the planes. This is a large park located on a small hill just north of the 4,000m-long Runway A. In spring, the combination of approximately 500 cherry trees and the aircraft is beautiful, and it has been selected as one of the “100 Views of Chiba.” The lush green lawns within the park are filled with flowers that bloom throughout the seasons, making it a great place to enjoy a picnic on a sunny day.

Just across the one-way road from the park, planes from all over the world are waiting. One by one, the planes make slow U-turns toward the takeoff preparation area on Runway A. With their heads facing away and their tails toward the park, they are ready to take off. The scene is like a tense 100m runner crouching to start, waiting for the starting signal.

Soon the jet engine suddenly roared, and the plane accelerated rapidly, with us in the park watching from behind. After a brief run-up, it took off effortlessly! The sight of the gigantic aircraft taking off into the sky is enough to send goosebumps flying. Even if you’re not an airplane enthusiast, you’ll find yourself instinctively holding up your smartphone camera. Incidentally, it’s clear that the larger and heavier the aircraft (such as a cargo plane), the longer the run-up distance.

The fun part at Narita City Sakuranoyama is landing!

Takeoffs are spectacular, but the biggest attraction at Narita City Sakura-no-Yama is undoubtedly the landings. Runway A, which can be seen from the park, is also used for landings depending on changes in wind direction, etc. You might find yourself thinking, “It’s been all takeoffs up until now, but now it’s time to land!”

The sight of the huge aircraft slowly descending from the northern sky towards us is a spectacular sight. You can even see with your naked eye the mechanical operation of the tires, which were painstakingly stored in the park.

The sight of a plane, a “lump of metal,” flying at an extremely low altitude, passing right in front of your eyes is 120% impressive. The aircraft flies just over the park and soon hits the runway. For a moment, white smoke rises from the tires, and the sight of it smoothly landing right in front of your eyes is truly beautiful.

The park is a popular photo spot, and there are many aviation enthusiasts (photographers) with SLR cameras equipped with super telephoto lenses, listening intently to takeoff and landing information over the radio from air traffic control. If you become friends with them, they might be able to tell you information about takeoffs and landings, such as “A plane is scheduled to land at XX airport at XX time.” (For a while, I was a regular at the park, and a male aviation enthusiast who became a familiar face often shared this information with me.)

Inside the park, there are signs with photos of planes from airlines around the world that take off and land at Narita Airport, along with explanations. If you’re wondering “Which airline is this?”, just compare the plane in front of you with the signboard.

If you want to get a closer look at the planes taking off, and see them from the other side, head to Airplane Hill, about 10 minutes south by motorbike or car from the park!

Inside the park, there are displays with photos and explanations of planes from airlines around the world that take off and land at Narita Airport.

The tourist souvenir shop “Sora no Eki Sakurakan” located within the park sells fresh locally grown vegetables and seasonal fruits, handmade bento boxes, and airline merchandise. Narita’s famous sake and local cider are also on standby.

Name: Sakuranoyama, Narita City

Address: 1338-1 Komaino, Narita City, Chiba Prefecture

Approximately 20 minutes by motorbike or car from Narita Station on the JR and Keisei lines.

Usage fee: Free

Private parking: Free

Toilets: Available

Vending machines: Available (drinks only)

Sky Station Sakurakan opening hours: 9:00-17:00

Busy period: Late March to mid-May

At “Airplane Hill,” you can also see how the tires are stored after takeoff.

At “Airplane Hill,” you can even see with your own eyes how the plane’s tires are retracted after takeoff.

A shot taken with a telephoto lens of an aircraft taking off from Narita Airport.

A 10-minute drive south from Narita City Sakuranoyama will take you to Airplane Hill. This is a large park located about 600 meters south of Runway A, with a heart-shaped monument at the top of the hill.

“Airplane Hill” is a park located south of the aforementioned “Narita City Sakuranoyama.” It is on the opposite side of “Narita City Sakuranoyama.” This means you can see and observe planes taking off and landing on this side (from north to south) (the nose of the plane is on this side, the tail is on the other side).

At “Airplane Hill,” you can even see with your own eyes how the planes fold up after takeoff. It’s fun to watch the planes overhead and wonder “to which country are they going?”

The airport sparkles and becomes even more beautiful at night after the sun has set. It has a romantic atmosphere that is different from the daytime. Why not come here to cool off on a hot and humid summer night?

Name: Airplane Hill

Address: 2012-6 Iwayama, Shibayama-cho , Sanbu

-gun, Chiba Prefecture Approximately 30 minutes by car or motorbike from Narita Station on the JR and Keisei lines

Fee: Free

Private parking: Free

Toilets: Available

Vending machines: Available (drinks only)

Peak season: Late March to mid-May