3.91 mil expected to travel abroad from Narita this summer

I've already flown out of NRT three times this year and plan to fly at least once more. Hopefully the get the immigration line ups and gate delays dealt with sooner than later. In the past two years I have averaged 25 minutes stuck waiting out on taxi way or the apron waiting for them to clear the gate and 40 minutes in immigration line ups. The worst ever was 55 minutes waiting in the plane out on the apron and then 1 hour and 50 minutes in a HUGE line up at immigration that snaked through the area all the way back to the 'thermal cameras' aka 'fever cameras' in Ternimal 1.

I have seen it all at Narita with regard to lines/waiting. I have waited in line behind 12 other aircraft for takeoff. At the other end on return once I saw no more than five people in line at immigration.

If you live in Japan and have a visa and a re-entry permit, there's generally almost no waiting in that immigration line upon arrival at Narita, no matter how long the other lines are.

"If you live in Japan and have a visa and a re-entry permit, there's generally almost no waiting in that immigration line upon arrival at Narita, no matter how long the other lines are."

That's not true for flights from Vietnam. My lineup went to the back wall, about 45 minutes waiting. Our luggage was on the belt by the time we cleared. The Japanese got through in about 3 minutes. Totally, totally unfair.

Great idea. Summers are horrible here. I wanna hit the South Pole or Alaska. Good for the ones who can escape from this.

That's not true for flights from Vietnam.

Is that because the place was full of Vietnamese residing in Japan? Frankly, I've never been stuck that long. Sometimes, there's no one waiting in front of me.

The Japanese got through in about 3 minutes. Totally, totally unfair.

To be fair, that's the same in most countries. The locals go through much quicker, usually. I just wish my own country would start fingerprinting Japanese and American visitors.

Wish I could afford to travel during August. I think I'll wait until after the mad rush.

Is that because the place was full of Vietnamese residing in Japan?

Yes. Lots of students. Maybe the same for flights from China.

To be fair, that's the same in most countries.

Not really with my home country. The lines are divided "residents" and "non-residents." I'm the latter, and I generally have to wait much longer than people (recently immigrants) who are, erm, extremely "exotic." I've got the worst of both worlds in airport immigration land.

If I had the time and cash to leave I would, if not but for a while, but I would certainly not go during the Obon holiday exodus and return -- it's absolute chaos, and the prices are way too jacked up to begin with. If you can, peeps, go before or after.

Not really with my home country. The lines are divided "residents" and "non-residents." I'm the latter

So you're lumped with foreign visitors in your own country? That IS strange. Second class citizen in your own country as well as in Japan?!

Yes. Lots of students. Maybe the same for flights from China.

If I remember correctly, it was similar to when I came back from Korea. I usually walk very fast from the plane to immigration, so I usually miss most of the crowds, unless there are people already there from another flight.

but I would certainly not go during the Obon holiday exodus

Too right! It's like part of the culture to actually have to 'gaman' through this insane ritual. Thanks but no thanks.

Itterashai! And, by all means, bring back some nice omiyage!

that is not bad, One time , I came from the US , waiting 35 minutes in the air going around Narita, then the pilot say we were running out fuel, we landed in Haneda , waited 2 hours , then flew back to Narita , to wait 25 waiting for a gate , and after that I had a long wait at the immigration , to find out , my luggage was not in the plane , and would arrive the next day! (True story)