WHAT TO DO AT TOKYO (NARITA) AIRPORT

Once you fly in to Narita Airport, you need to take any of the ground transportations to get to Central Tokyo before heading for Shinshu.

 
GROUND TRANSPORTATION TO CENTRAL TOKYO

JR trains
JR East runs the Narita Express and rapid trains connecting Narita Airport to Tokyo and Shinjuku.
Tokyo station (terminal for Nagano) and Shinjuku station (terminal for Matsumoto) are served by Narita Express. Tokyo station is also served by rapid trains coming from Narita Airport.
There is no reason to buy return ticket because no discount is available for round trips in most cases.

Keisei trains
Keisei,a private railway company,runs the Skyliner (A Limited Express train) and many local trains to central Tokyo.
If you are going to either of Shinjuku or Tokyo stations, you Need to change to JR Yamanote line at Nippori station.

Buses
There are direct buses that goes to Tokyo station, Shinjuku station, Haneda Airport and other metropolitan destinations. However service is more expensive and time consuming than trains.

Shuttle taxies
Shuttle taxies (door-to-door shuttles) connect Narita Airport to Nagano, but not to Matsumoto.

Access to Shinjuku and Tokyo stations from Narita Airport.
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WHAT TO DO AT NARITA STATION

Japan Rail Pass
You need to change your Exchange Order to Japan Rail Pass before you board the train.
At Narita Airport, you can do so at one of two JR ticket offices like this one.
However, the pass is valid only for JR trains.

JR and Keisei lines are accessible from the same concourse.
JR and Keisei platforms are separated but next to each other.

JR tickets can be purchased from JR ticket machines or at ticket counters. Credit cards are accepted.

Keisei tickets can be purchased from Keisei ticket machines or at ticket counters.

Narita Express
Narita Express trains are operated by JR East.

All Ikebukuro-bound Narita Express trains stop at Shinjuku.
All Takao-bound Express trains stop at Shinjuku.
All Yokohama-bound Express trains do not stop at Shinjuku.
All Express trains stop at Tokyo station.

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WIKIPEDIA REFERENCE
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HELPFUL LINKS
JR Group
http://www.japanrail.com/

Japan Rail Pass
http://www.japanrailpass.net/

Narita Airport
http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/

East Japan Railway Company
http://www.jreast.co.jp/nex/
 
Airport Limousine (Tokyo Area)
http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/

KEISEI ELECTRIC RAILWAY - SKYLINER
http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/keisei_us/top.html

Chuo Taxi (Door to door shuttle to Nagano City)
http://www.chuotaxi.co.jp/air/mail_nr.html
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