Mumbai to Narita (BOM–NRT) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

Indian passport holders need a visa to enter Japan. Apply at the Japanese Embassy in New Delhi or consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Bengaluru. A single-entry tourist visa is free (Japan does not charge visa fees for Indian nationals). Processing takes 5 to 7 working days. Multiple-entry visas are available for frequent travelers who meet specific criteria (previous Japan visits, sufficient income). There is no eVisa or visa on arrival for Indian passport holders.

Required documents include a passport valid for at least 6 months, completed application form (downloadable from the embassy website), one passport photo (45x45mm or 45x35mm), confirmed round-trip flight itinerary, detailed day-by-day schedule of the visit, proof of accommodation (hotel bookings), bank statements for the last 3 months showing sufficient funds (no fixed amount, but roughly JPY 10,000 per day), employment letter with salary details, income tax returns for 2 to 3 years, and a cover letter. Applications must be submitted through an authorized travel agency (not directly to the embassy). The list of authorized agencies is on the embassy website.

Direct flights from Delhi to Tokyo Narita and Haneda run about 8 hours on Air India, Japan Airlines, and ANA. No direct flights from Mumbai; connect through Delhi, Singapore, Bangkok, or Hong Kong in 10 to 14 hours total. Japan uses the Japanese yen (JPY), trading at roughly 150 JPY per $1. Cash is still widely used in Japan, especially at smaller shops and restaurants. 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs accept international cards. No mandatory vaccinations. Complete the Visit Japan Web form before arrival for immigration and customs. Narita Express to Tokyo Station takes 60 minutes for JPY 3,070. From Haneda, the monorail to Hamamatsucho takes 13 minutes for JPY 500.

Mumbai Metro Line 1 (Versova–Ghatkopar) does not serve the airport directly.Currently, Mumbai Local Train (Western Line to Andheri station) plus an auto-rickshaw or taxi to the terminal is a low-cost route (₹15–50 for train, ₹80–120 for rickshaw).App-based cabs (Ola, Uber) cost ₹300–600 from South Mumbai or Bandra depending on traffic. The airport is 30km from Nariman Point/Churchgate; traffic is severe most of the day. Midnight–5am is the most reliable travel window. Black-and-yellow taxis are metered and less comfortable than app cabs.

Keisei Skyliner (41 min to Ueno, ¥2,570) and Narita Express (N'EX, 60 min to Tokyo Station, ¥3,070) are the primary train options. Limousine buses serve major hotels throughout Tokyo, Yokohama, and even Osaka for ¥3,200–¥6,000. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are connected by free shuttle bus; Terminal 3 (LCC) is a 15-minute walk or shuttle from Terminal 2.

Rental car desks are in the arrivals halls. Highway Bus (cheaper than limousine) is available to many cities. IC card (Suica/Pasmo) works on Keisei and JR lines from NRT at standard fares.

Humid subtropical climate. Summers (June–September) are hot, very humid, and subject to the rainy season (tsuyu) in June–July, followed by typhoon season peaking in August–October. Typhoons can close Narita for 12–24 hours. The airport is particularly exposed on the Chiba plain. Temperatures reach 28–34°C.

Winters (December–February) are cool and dry at 3–10°C with clear skies. This is the most reliable flying season. Snow is infrequent but causes significant disruption when it occurs. The Kanto plain is ill-equipped for heavy snowfall. Spring (late March–April) is mild.