All areas require parents to watch their kids, of course. They also require shoes off while playing (so choose travel shoes accordingly.)
Unfortunately, the majority of the play areas are made with kids 4 and under in mind. Older kids may not be quite as excited by these options.
Be sure to rent a stroller to help you get around, once you’ve checked in all of your luggage.
They even have those cool mini luggage carts with a parent-facing child seat for a toddler. So handy.
TERMINAL 1
5th floor ( before passport control, near the IASS Executive Lounge)
This is probably the only playcentre that may interest kids who are slightly older. There are tunnels and slides and foam blocks.
Between gates 41 and 42
A small soft play space next to the gates.
Near gate 51
This is a slightly larger area. It has a shower unit ( not free) and a baby changing and feeding space.
*Extra tip; the Starbucks at Terminal 1 departures has a really good range of “Japan themed” Starbucks mugs.
TERMINAL 2
4F of the Main Building ( before passport control)
This is a teeny tiny soft play space. Probably only suitable for kids 1.5 or younger. BUT the advantage? There is a little observation deck right behind this play area where kids ( and adults) can see the planes come in and out. There are even coin operated (100 yen) telescopes available.
There is a sushi train restaurant right near the play area. It is called “Gansozushi.”
Another place to eat and see the planes, in Terminal 2, is a Japanese restaurant called ” Washoku Restaurant Sojibou.” They do have a kids menu. Food is mostly noodles, chicken and egg dishes on rice, grilled and marinated eel on rice, miso soup, Japanese curry, sushi, tempura, beer, sake etc. Be sure to sit near the windows.
This restaurant is non-smoking and accepts credit cards.
The connecting corridor between the main & satellite buildings (after passport control – you’ll find it if heading towards gates 81-99.)
This playspace is the best, in my opinion.
There is lots of space, there is a coffee shop near by and toilets right next to the play area. It’s ideal ( and worth the hike, even if its far from your gate.)
There are all large floor to ceiling windows if your kids love looking at planes, like mine do.
And if you’re looking at these photos below and are worried about a little baby getting squished, there is also a separate ( much smaller) section just saved for the teeny tinies.
At gate 81
This is an enclosed playroom. A small slide, some foam blocks and a step/stage kind of thing. Within the space is a baby change area with a kiddie sized toilet.
*Before you go through security at Terminal 2 I highly recommend going to the 4th floor for T’s Tan Tan Ramen.
They sell vegan gyoza, ramen, pizza and pasta. The food is incredible. Ironically, the easiest way to find it? Behind McDonalds.
It’s also a fantastic spot for plane watching too.
Another terminal 2, kid-friendly dining option is Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu Narita Airport. for Kobe Beef and Wagyu. This is INSIDE the terminal (once you’ve passed passport control.) It’s a Beef Cutlet restaurant. It is high quality beef, crumbed and fried so that the outside is crunchy and served with a range of sauces (dipping sauces) and rice. The restaurant is entirely non-smoking. They have an English menu. They also accept most major credit cards.
Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu Narita Airport is in the “Japan Food HalL” section. This restaurant welcomes children and babies.
Each meal is approx 2000 yen. You can see the full Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu menu here. (Click bottom right to change the language to English) This restaurant is walk-in only.
GYUKATSU KYOTO KATSGYU NARITA
2ND FLOOR, JAPAN FOOD HALL SECTION, NARITA AIRPORT, TERMINAL 2, ONCE YOU HAVE PASSED PASSPORT CONTROL
OPEN EVERYDAY 7:30AM-10PM
If you have rented a Japan Wireless Pocket Wifi box, don’t forget that you need to post your wifi box back to the company BEFORE you go through the Departures Gate at Terminal 2. Japan Wireless also have an option now for esims so you also don’t need to pick up or return a box at all – you just pay on their site and receive a QR code and off you go! Please use their “e-sims supported phones list” before making a purchase – the list is easily found on their homepage.
TERMINAL 3
3F area after outbound passport control (not far from the Duty Free pick up counter)
Opposite Gate 161
For Aussies – terminal 3 is the Terminal used for Jetstar.
If you will be using this terminal, I recommend eating in the food court before going through immigration because there really is just one small cafe once you’ve gone through.
Did you know that the Narita area itself is actually really quaint? I have written about places to see in Narita here.
Read here for help with travelling from central Tokyo to Narita Airport.
I especially love this Museum of Aeronautical Sciences near the airport here too. It’s so cute.
