We had acknowledged the fact that we were unable to investigate the check in process at the airport, we have decided to change it to the process of checking out at the arrival area instead.
Accessibility of the Airport
In general, both the flight and the airport is very accessible to non-Japanese speaking foreigners. For example, when announcements were made on the plane (because we were flying Air Canada to Japan) they were made in English, French, and Japanese. When I tried to understand the Japanese, it was so formal that it was hard to understand! I could piece together the meaning because of the English announcement, but without the English announcement I probably could not understand it. It was the same way in Narita Airport when we arrived. However, the announcements were instead made in Japanese, and then repeated in English. Even more that just the announcements, all the signs were also in both Japanese and English so they were easy to read and understand. It would be very hard to get lost.
As for wheelchair and handicap access, I would say that it would be very difficult for someone in a wheelchair to get around. There were lots of stairs and very few elevators if any to use to get around. When we were walking through the airport after getting off of the plane however, there were moving escalators on the floors that would help greatly in carrying luggage if you were handicapped in some way.
Passing Through Customs
While still on the plane, we had to start our process to pass through customs. There were two forms we had to fill out on the plane: one was a customs declaration form for things you were bringing into the country, and one was a foreigner form for those that do not have Japanese citizenship. Both were a little confusing to fill out at first, but once you spent some time analyzing them you could fill them out. We were required to hand these forms in to a customs agent who then proceeded to take our fingerprints and our photograph. As Japanese policy, all foreigners are required to have their fingerprints taken when entering the country. There was a little machine where you pressed down on two panels with one index finger each and it digitally took your fingerprints. Then you looked at a camera on the same machine and it took your picture. It was very efficient!
Handling our Luggage
After going through customs, we proceeded to pick up our luggage. There was a screen in both English and Japanese that told us which luggage terminal corresponded to our flight. It was changing over time and very dynamic. After we picked up our luggage, we went through a boarding pass processing station. The officials there were wearing doctor's masks and very hygienic and polite. In general, everyone was very polite and helpful! Unfortunately, due to the security of the airport we were not allowed to take pictures during our processing! We will have some nice pictures to make up for it in the future!
The moving traffic inside Narita airport
Right when everyone came out of the luggage terminal, the observation was that the arrival area seemed a bit smaller than what have expected to be for the amount of traffic of people coming in. The main hallway felt a little narrow for a big airport. The impression since this airport is one of the biggest one in the world, every part of the airport space should be big. When there are people who are traveling in a big group, the feeling of space was not wide enough to fit everyone at once who was trying to pass through. There were a right amount of employees assisting everyone, from the customs, the luggage terminal to when you are leaving out to the lobby.
The ways to leave Narita airport
When we were approaching to the doors out to the arrival area, the line of taxi or limousine drivers holding signs with the names of the people they are picking up were acknowledge. They all looked professional with their sharp uniforms. This situation is hardly encountered, but believed this service is highly popular in Japan. We all know taxi and busses are always available to serve the convenience for people leaving the airport. Right outside of the exit doors, there are a section for busses all lined up waiting for people to take them. As for the taxis, same concept applies if a person wishes to take them. Another popular method used mostly in Asia is by subway trains. Right when you enter to the main arrival lobby, there is a set of escalators right around the corner which leads you downstairs to the subways taking you to the destination where you want to go. The trains are often being used by locals and foreigners because the efficiency and reliability of these subway trains.
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