Our research started the moment we touched down in the airport. While Mandy and David were covering the practical aspects of the airport, Ken and I (Alex) were focused on the various shops located in and around the Narita airport. Although we weren’t able to visit every store in the airport, we were able to see a lot different types of stores operating in the airport.
Currency Exchange
The idea of a currency exchange area in an airport seems very convenient because travellers are the main users of the currency exchange. If they’re leaving the airport or are waiting to board, they can just go to the currency exchange and get the currency they need. The clerks working at the currency exchange all were able to speak English, which is very helpful in a setting with so many people unable to speak Japanese. In addition, there’s also an ATM close to the currency exchange. However, the currency exchange wasn’t as convenient as it would appear. They only keep a certain amount of currency and if the amount you need exceeds their capabilities, you have to go to a bank.
Leo Shop
This small shop was similar to shops that are available in the Calgary airport. They sold magazines, small souvenirs and some food. This is very convenient for the traveller who is in a rush and not able to go other places for food. Also, if a returning traveller forgot to get a souvenir overseas, they can buy one from Leo Shop and pretend. In front of the international souvenirs there are flags of the countries where they are from, like Germany, Switzerland, Italy and even Canada. However, there is a price for convenience. The actual price is probably higher than the same product in a grocery store and the quality is lower because of limited supply and storage.
JR Ticket Office
I think that this is the most convenient of all the stores in the Narita airport. Through this office you can get a Suica card and validate your JR pass. This is extremely useful as transit costs are something that can’t be avoided in Japan. This is a very easy and convenient way to get the Suica card, as the only other places to get one is a JR station. Calgary doesn’t provide a service like this in the airport, but transit tickets can be purchased at convenience stores.
Vending Machines
Vending machines are very convenient and are located all throughout Japan. It’s very easy for non-Japanese speakers to use because the products are all displayed and you select what you want with just a touch of a button. The price is clearly displayed underneath each item and travellers always know exactly what they’re receiving. Just above the coin slot there’s a monitor that plays advertisements. The particular vending machine that we saw in the airport sold hot coffee, which is unusual in Calgary.
Photo Printing Station
Near the meeting area, there are a collection of automatic vending machines. One of the machines is a place where you can print your photos just by inserting various memory cards. You can also use this machine to print photos from your mobile phone or a CD. It costs 1,000 yen to print photos. This is really convenient for people who don’t have time to go to an official photo store. This machine is also easy to use because there’s both English and Japanese and there is voice guidance available.
Phone Charging Station
At this machine you can charge mobile phones at 100 yen for 20 minutes. One machine has 4 different types of chargers available. This is convenient for travellers who may have forgotten or packed their chargers already. However, it’s only good for Japanese cell phones so it might not be so helpful to international travellers.
Phone Card
At the machine, different KDDI phone cards are available to be purchased. This would be especially convenient for international travellers who are planning to use phone cards as their main source of communication back home. One phone card can be purchased for 850 yen.
Convenience Store outside the Airport
Just in case you can’t wait until you get into the airport or need something while waiting for the bus, there is a convenience store available to you outside the airport. The only products available are small snacks, drinks and tobacco. This is convenient, but unnecessary because you’re so close to the airport.
Airport Mall – Restaurants and Shops
On the fourth floor of the airport, there is an airport mall, which contains different restaurants and shops. The fourth floor is also the location of the departure lobby, so this mall is very convenient for those people who forgot something at home or are looking for souvenirs to bring to other countries. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we weren’t able to visit the mall on this trip.
Currency Exchange
The idea of a currency exchange area in an airport seems very convenient because travellers are the main users of the currency exchange. If they’re leaving the airport or are waiting to board, they can just go to the currency exchange and get the currency they need. The clerks working at the currency exchange all were able to speak English, which is very helpful in a setting with so many people unable to speak Japanese. In addition, there’s also an ATM close to the currency exchange. However, the currency exchange wasn’t as convenient as it would appear. They only keep a certain amount of currency and if the amount you need exceeds their capabilities, you have to go to a bank.
Leo Shop
This small shop was similar to shops that are available in the Calgary airport. They sold magazines, small souvenirs and some food. This is very convenient for the traveller who is in a rush and not able to go other places for food. Also, if a returning traveller forgot to get a souvenir overseas, they can buy one from Leo Shop and pretend. In front of the international souvenirs there are flags of the countries where they are from, like Germany, Switzerland, Italy and even Canada. However, there is a price for convenience. The actual price is probably higher than the same product in a grocery store and the quality is lower because of limited supply and storage.
JR Ticket Office
I think that this is the most convenient of all the stores in the Narita airport. Through this office you can get a Suica card and validate your JR pass. This is extremely useful as transit costs are something that can’t be avoided in Japan. This is a very easy and convenient way to get the Suica card, as the only other places to get one is a JR station. Calgary doesn’t provide a service like this in the airport, but transit tickets can be purchased at convenience stores.
Vending Machines
Vending machines are very convenient and are located all throughout Japan. It’s very easy for non-Japanese speakers to use because the products are all displayed and you select what you want with just a touch of a button. The price is clearly displayed underneath each item and travellers always know exactly what they’re receiving. Just above the coin slot there’s a monitor that plays advertisements. The particular vending machine that we saw in the airport sold hot coffee, which is unusual in Calgary.
Photo Printing Station
Near the meeting area, there are a collection of automatic vending machines. One of the machines is a place where you can print your photos just by inserting various memory cards. You can also use this machine to print photos from your mobile phone or a CD. It costs 1,000 yen to print photos. This is really convenient for people who don’t have time to go to an official photo store. This machine is also easy to use because there’s both English and Japanese and there is voice guidance available.
Phone Charging Station
At this machine you can charge mobile phones at 100 yen for 20 minutes. One machine has 4 different types of chargers available. This is convenient for travellers who may have forgotten or packed their chargers already. However, it’s only good for Japanese cell phones so it might not be so helpful to international travellers.
Phone Card
At the machine, different KDDI phone cards are available to be purchased. This would be especially convenient for international travellers who are planning to use phone cards as their main source of communication back home. One phone card can be purchased for 850 yen.
Convenience Store outside the Airport
Just in case you can’t wait until you get into the airport or need something while waiting for the bus, there is a convenience store available to you outside the airport. The only products available are small snacks, drinks and tobacco. This is convenient, but unnecessary because you’re so close to the airport.
Airport Mall – Restaurants and Shops
On the fourth floor of the airport, there is an airport mall, which contains different restaurants and shops. The fourth floor is also the location of the departure lobby, so this mall is very convenient for those people who forgot something at home or are looking for souvenirs to bring to other countries. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we weren’t able to visit the mall on this trip.
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