We were in Narita to run some errands. Not the airport that everyone associates with “Narita,” but the actual city where the airport got its name. Specifically, we were at Narita City, near Narita Station. We thought to ourselves—we pass this station so many times whenever we go to Narita Airport, and now that we’re finally here with some time to spare, we might as well explore the area.

We quickly checked the map and saw that there’s a walkable street—Omotesando Street—that runs through many of the city’s main attractions. Not to be confused with its more famous namesake in Tokyo, the glitzy Omotesando Avenue lined with luxury brands. The term “Omotesando” typically refers to a path that leads to a shrine or temple, and that’s definitely something the two have in common: Tokyo’s Omotesando leads to Meiji Jingu, while Narita’s leads to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple.

We were actually surprised by how big the Buddhist temple complex was. Despite having lived in Tokyo for nearly two decades, this was our first time visiting. The temple grounds are expansive—complete with pagodas, gardens, and a large park. With a history stretching back over a thousand years, the place is rich in tradition and culture.

Naritasan Omotesando Street connects the temple with the station. Unlike its Tokyo counterpart lined with luxury shops, this one is filled with local charm—traditional stores, old-school eateries, and souvenir shops. There’s even a place where you can try Hankyudo, a shorter, more accessible version of traditional Japanese archery. Since Kyudo is my wife’s favorite sport, we just had to give it a try—and we did. It was a lot of fun, and we’d definitely recommend it to friends and family visiting Tokyo. There’s apparently a similar Hankyudo experience in Kanda, Tokyo, but that one costs about five times more.

There are plenty of lunch options along the street, but we went with something more Western—Steak House Narita. Great food, great service, and surprisingly not crowded. That could’ve been because it was a weekday when most people were at work, and also because Narita isn’t yet a major stop for inbound tourists. Many simply skip Narita and head straight to Tokyo.

Which is a shame, because the area actually has a lot to offer—though, admittedly, maybe just enough for a relaxing day trip.

If you’re flying via Narita Airport, consider staying at a nearby hotel on your last day. Use the time to explore this charming part of Japan before heading home.