Narita to Makuhari Messe is about 30 minutes by car, Haneda about 40. For exhibitors: loading sample cases and kit, move-in and show-day timing, and busy event-day car parks.
Makuhari Messe is in Chiba City, within easy reach of both Narita and Haneda — Narita to Makuhari Messe is about 30 minutes by car. What sets exhibitors apart from ordinary visitors is luggage: on top of personal suitcases there are sample cases, display equipment and printed materials. Hauling all that through train changes is the hardest part, and the easiest place for things to go wrong.
Narita to Makuhari Messe: under an hour from either airport
From Makuhari Messe's official access page:
- Narita Airport → Makuhari Messe: about 30 minutes by car (about 5 minutes from Wangan Chiba IC on the Higashi-Kanto Expressway).
- Haneda Airport or central Tokyo → Makuhari Messe: about 40 minutes by car.
- By train, the nearest station is Kaihimmakuhari on the JR Keiyo Line, about a 5-minute walk.
Actual times depend on traffic, so allow a margin on move-in day.
Getting sample cases and equipment in the car
Exhibitor luggage nearly always runs to more pieces, and bigger ones, than people expect. When booking, tell us:
- the number of passengers and suitcases;
- the number, size and approximate weight of sample cases and display equipment;
- any long items, such as poster tubes or banner stands.
The Alphard seats 7 (6 bags) and the Hiace seats 10 (9 bags). Our team will confirm the vehicle based on the actual space needed; with a lot of equipment, consider one vehicle for people and another for kit. For seats and luggage space side by side, see Alphard vs Hiace.
Exhibitor move-in times and loading entrances are set by the organiser. Share the organiser's move-in instructions when booking, and our team will confirm where the car can stop.
Big event days: the car parks fill up
Makuhari Messe's car park holds about 5,000 vehicles (including 120 bus spaces), opens 8:00–23:00 with no entry after 21:00, and does not take reservations. Nearby, Makuhari New City Prefectural Underground Parking No. 1 is closed from 1 August 2026 to 31 January 2027.
During major concerts and exhibitions, the venue announces that parking is "expected to be extremely crowded" and changes how it operates (as it did for SUMMER SONIC 2026). On those days, traffic around the venue peaks as events finish, so give us the expected finish time when booking and our team will confirm the pickup point. Pickups after 22:00 carry a ¥4,000 surcharge.
Staying in Tokyo and commuting to Makuhari
Many exhibitors stay in central Tokyo and travel to Makuhari each day of the show. For the airport leg, see Narita to Tokyo and Haneda to Tokyo, and tell our team your daily schedule to Makuhari for a quote. Makuhari is not on our public price list; all quotes are confirmed by our team. To combine the airport run, client visits and departure, see planning a business car in Tokyo; all Narita routes are on the Narita Airport routes page.
With your flights, show dates and equipment list ready, head to the booking page.
FAQ
- How long is the drive from Narita or Haneda to Makuhari Messe?
- According to Makuhari Messe's official access page, about 30 minutes from Narita Airport and about 40 minutes from Haneda Airport or central Tokyo, depending on traffic.
- Can sample cases and display equipment come in the same car?
- Give us the number of cases, their size and approximate weight when booking, and our team will confirm the vehicle based on the actual space needed. The Alphard seats 7 (6 bags) and the Hiace seats 10 (9 bags); with a lot of equipment, consider separate vehicles for people and kit.
- Can the car go straight to the exhibitor loading entrance?
- Exhibitor move-in times and loading entrances are set by the event organiser. Share the organiser's move-in instructions when booking, and our team will confirm where the car can stop.
- How much is a private transfer from Narita or Haneda to Makuhari Messe?
- Makuhari is in Chiba Prefecture, outside Tokyo, so the Central Tokyo flat fare does not apply, and it is not on our public price list. Please contact our team for a quote; all quotes are confirmed by our team.