Flights Japan - flight hacks for Japanese destinations
Flights to Tokyo. Book plane tickets to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) or Tokyo Haneda (HND) online.

Japan is partially open to international tourism

Japan continues its slow reopening. Students, business travelers, and relatives of long-term residents are now allowed to enter the country. Independent travelers are permitted if they visit Japan on a package tour booked via a travel agency. Fully vaccinated travelers don’t need to present a PCR test result on arrival. In all cases, visitors must apply for visas in advance.

Transiting through Japanese airports to another country is allowed, and you are not required to submit any documents.

Arriving in Japan

  • If you are flying to Japan from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airportTokyo Haneda HND, Tokyo Narita NRT, Osaka KIX, Nagoya NGO, Hiroshima HIJ, and Fukuoka FUK.

    These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into Japan. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce – with decreased airfare as a result.
  • Once in Japan, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as ANA, Japan Airlines, Jetstar Japan, Peach Aviation, Skymark Airlines, Spring Airlines Japan, and StarFlyer. Those in-country carriers typically offer lower fares, operate from smaller airports located closer to city centers (you save on ground transportation), and provide flexible schedules – with a wide range of departure times.
  • Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Japan can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Cebu Pacific, IndiGo, Jetstar, JEJU Air, Scoot, Tigerair, and VietJet Air. If you have a layover in Japan and plan to fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries, these budget airlines are an excellent way to save money. However, the “no-frills” carrier may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support. You may not even get to choose your seats, unless you pay extra.

Airports of Japan

Best airports to fly into Japan: Tokyo Haneda (HND), Tokyo Narita (NRT), Osaka (KIX), Fukuoka (FUK), Sapporo (CTS), Naha (OKA), Osaka (ITM), Kagoshima (KOJ), Nagoya (NGO), Sendai (SDJ), Kumamoto (KMJ), Miyazaki (KMI), Nagasaki (NGS), Kobe (UKB), Matsuyama (MYJ), Hiroshima (HIJ), Ishigaki (ISG), and Takamatsu (TAK)
Japan has 29 airports: 5 international and 24 local airports that operate domestic flights across its four main islands and many smaller islands. Among the largest Japanese airports are – Tokyo Haneda HND, Tokyo Narita NRT, Osaka KIX, Fukuoka FUK, Sapporo CTS, Naha OKA, Osaka ITM, Kagoshima KOJ, Nagoya NGO, Sendai SDJ, Kumamoto KMJ, Miyazaki KMI, Nagasaki NGS, Kobe UKB, Matsuyama MYJ, Hiroshima HIJ, Ishigaki ISG, and Takamatsu TAK.
Things to know before flying to Japan
Airlines flying to JapanAeromexico, AirAsia, Air Canada, Air France, Air New Zealand, ANA, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Bangkok Airways, British Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Egypt Air, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Garuda Indonesia, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, JEJU Air, KLM, LATAM, Lufthansa, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Aerolíneas Vietnamitas, Vistara
Japanese airlinesANA, Japan Airlines, Jetstar Japan, Peach Aviation, Skymark Airlines, Spring Airlines Japan, StarFlyer, Japan Transocean Air, Ibex Airlines
Regular price (roundtrip)✈ €600 – €900 (from Europe)
✈ $500 to $800 (from USA)
Flight hacks 40% — 80% off regular fare
Main airportsHaneda Airport (HND) – Tokyo
Fukuoka Airport (FUK) – Fukuoka
New Chitose Airport (CTS) – Sapporo
Naha Airport (OKA) – Okinawa
Itami International Airport (ITM) – Osaka
Narita International Airport (NRT) – Tokyo
Kansai International Airport (KIX) – Osaka
Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) – Nagoya
Kagoshima Airport (KOJ) – Kagoshima
Kobe Airport (UKB) – Kobe
Sendai Airport (SDJ) – Sendai
Nagasaki Airport (NGS) – Nagasaki
Airline promotionsSee ticket sales & promos available for flights departing from June to August

Book cheap flights in the region

The cheapest time to fly to Japan

During the peak summer months, all of Japan’s top attractions get rather busy. If you plan to do some sightseeing in Japan, try to be flexible with your trip dates. Aim for the quieter “shoulder” months between the seasons – from March to May, and from September to November.

It is an ideal time to visit the country to avoid peak-season flight prices and tourist crowds. You’ll also be rewarded by the things other visitors will miss out on: spring cherry blossoms during the Hanami season, amazing warm fall colors, and historic structures such as Fukuoka Castle blanketed in snow.

Know your time zone

Japan has only one time zone, despite being a large country that stretches almost 2400 kilometers through the western North Pacific Ocean and over 30 degrees longitude. It observes Japan Standard Time (JST) all year, which is UTC/GMT+09 time zone. As a result, clocks in Japan are 9 hours ahead of London and 14 hours ahead of New York. JST does not have an associated daylight saving time.

When checking flights and airport transfer times, ensure you know the local time zones. The departure time on your plane ticket is always listed based on the time zone of the departure airport. We suggest resetting your watch during the flight – it will help your brain adjust to the new time zone and to deal with jet lag.

Relax in KIX Airport Lounge

If you are traveling from Osaka, Kyoto, or Kobe and you are stuck at the Kansai International Airport (KIX) for long hours, head to the second floor of Terminal 1 and find the KIX Airport Lounge. It’s one of these rare airport lounges that don’t require you to be part of any loyalty program to use it.

Entry fees start at just ¥310 (~$2.80) for the first 30 minutes (all-you-can-drink soft drinks included). You can also use shower booths for ¥510 (~$4.60) or rent a private booth for nine hours at ¥3,900 (~$35.60) – which is a pretty good alternative to a hotel far out in the city.

Shinkansen, Japanese bullet train

Japan’s famous train lines are some of the best ways to see the country on a budget. Trains are punctual, comfortable, safe, and clean. The best of these is the Shinkansen Bullet Train: with a front car that resembles a space rocket, it can travel at a maximum speed of 320kmph making a trip such as Tokyo to Fukuoka – 1,170 kilometers away – doable in just over six hours.

Be sure to pick up your Japan Rail Pass – which allows unlimited travel – before departure to ensure savings (you can’t purchase a JRP inside of Japan).

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Flights to Japan from United States and Canada

  • There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Japan. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Japan, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. There are plenty of direct flights from the US/Canada to Japan via Japan Airlines, Air Canada, American Airlines, ANA, Hawaiian Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, and Zipair. Flight prices start at $300 one-way from Honolulu to Tokyo on the low-cost airline Zipair.
  • Japan is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Japan with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta ATL, Dallas DFW, Denver DEN, Chicago ORD, Los Angeles LAX, Las Vegas DFW, Miami MIA, Seattle SEA, Houston IAH, New York JFK, and San Francisco SFO in the United States and Toronto YYZ, Vancouver YVR, Calgary LAS, and Montreal YUL in Canada.
  • The best airlines to fly to Japan from the US and Canada are: ANA, Japan Airlines, Air Canada, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.
  • For long-haul flights, the type of aircraft you choose can make a huge difference to your overall comfort on board – especially if you’re flying economy. The best aircraft have comfier seats with more legroom, WiFi, superior entertainment systems, and a better passenger experience in every cabin in general. When booking a flight to Japan, look for the airlines that use wide-body planes designed for long-haul flights, such as Airbus A350 (best choice), A380, A320neo, or Boeing 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner.

Japan from US & Canada
plane ticket prices in 2023/24

Real-time economy class airfares to Japan from the US and Canada. See the top deals for flights departing from June to February:

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Use coin lockers for your luggage

Nearly every train station and department store in Japan is equipped with wall coin lockers that offer temporary storage. Costing around ¥500 (~ $4.5) they are ideal for day trips. However, be careful as they usually have 24-hour limits and will charge you extra for overtime.

Ship your extra baggage via Kuroneko Yamato

Yamato Transport (aka “kuroneko” – literally “black cat”) is the largest door-to-door delivery company in Japan. Conveniently located at the airports and many other locations in Japanese cities, Kuroneko Yamato will ship your extra baggage to your next destination – at a very reasonable cost. Enjoy hands-free travel, shopping, and sightseeing!

Avoid Japan’s public holidays

Prices skyrocket during holidays in Japan – adjust your travel dates to avoid expensive tickets. Cheap flights to Japan are non-existent during popular “red days” such as New Year’s Holiday (January 1-3), Golden Week (April 29-May 6), Obon (August 11-19), and Silver Week (September 16-23). If you must travel to Japan during these peak periods it’s wise to book the flights well in advance.

Save on local fares with JAL and ANA passes

ANA and Japan Airlines have an interesting “special fares” option for foreign tourists visiting Japan.

JAL Japan Explorer Pass is a fare that can be used to access over 30 cities across JAL’s domestic network. The pass provides an easy solution to traveling beyond Tokyo and the well-trodden tourist routes. You must already have a return ticket (out of Japan) to be eligible for JAL Explorer Pass three price points: JPY 5500 (~$38), JPY 7700 (~$52), and JPY 11000 (~$75).

ANA Discover Japan Fare is a discounted fare explicitly aimed at foreign visitors. It can be used across ANA’s entire domestic flight network; however, the pricing has been structured to encourage exploration of Japan’s diverse islands. With different fare rules, you can choose between two fare types – Value and Super Value.

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Flights to Japan with stopover

Direct flights to Japan are, of course, much less hassle than flights that require one or more connections. However, they tend to be more expensive. In a trade-off between convenience and cost, the best option is often to opt for a flight with one layover.

So if you’re looking at a long-haul trip with at least one connection, rather than simply transiting an airport, why not take this opportunity to plan a longer stopover? A stopover is a prolonged layover — more than 24 hours — and it won’t only break up your long journey but will also become a legitimate part of your vacation. If you’re prone to severe jet lag, a one or two-day stopover would help minimize its adverse effects.

When booking flights, many airlines allow you to include a free stopover en route to your final destination in Japan. Those flights are usually cheaper than non-stop (direct) flights, and you can often choose your stopover at no additional cost — just by looking for multi-city flights with longer layovers.

Big cities in Asia and Pacific are known for their rich culture and history — making them a great idea for a stopover during a longer journey. Here are a few suggestions for a stopover while en route to Japan.

Some airlines openly advertise stopovers and offer significant discounts and travel perks for passengers to break up their trips: free luxury hotel stays, complimentary domestic flights, or exclusive rates for activities. Start checking for stopover deals to Japan with government-owned airlines (as they are looking to attract tourists to give the country economic benefits) — such as Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines. Almost every airline’s website has multi-city search functionality, often hidden inside the one-way/return/multi-city switch.

A well-chosen stopover will not only turn one vacation into many but also save you several hundred dollars in airfare. The available stopovers to Japan will depend on your initial destination (Europe, North America, Asia, etc) and the airline you are flying with. For most airlines, the best free stopover offer will be at their main hub.

Flights to Japan from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe

  • There are no direct flights from Europe to Japan — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Direct flights from Europe to Japan are about 10-11 hours long. Only some of the largest European hubs have a nonstop connection to Japan - among them are Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Helsinki, London, Paris, Warsaw, and Zurich. Those flights arrive at Tokyo Haneda HND airport and are operated by Air France, ANA, Japan Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, KLM, Lufthansa, LOT, SWISS, and Turkish Airlines.
  • Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Japan include ANA, Japan Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, KLM, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, and Turkish Airlines.
  • Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Japan from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Use European low-cost airlines such as RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to fly to the hub, then save hundreds of euros by taking a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination.

    We recommend checking prices for flights to Japan from these European airport hubs: London LHR and Manchester MAN in the United Kingdom, Frankfurt FRA and Munich MUC in Germany, Paris CDG and Nice NCE in France, Amsterdam AMS in the Netherlands, Madrid MAD and Barcelona BCN in Spain, Rome FCO and Milano MXP in Italy, Brussels BRU in Belgium, Copenhagen OSL in Denmark, Oslo OSL in Norway, Stockholm ARN in Sweden, Zurich ZRH in Switzerland, Lisbon LIS in Portugal, Vienna VIE in Austria, Warsaw WAW in Poland, Prague PRG in Czech Republic, and Dublin DUB in Ireland.

European airports with the cheapest flights to Japan

Find the lowest prices for flights to Tokyo, Osaka, or Fukuoka in Japan from the major airports in Europe — London, Dublin, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Lyon, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Stockholm, Geneva, Helsinki, Zurich, and others.

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Can't finda good deal?

Europe to Japan, up to 80% off.

40% – 80% off

How to book SuperDeals?

At the Air Traveler Club, our go-to solution for finding cheap airfares to Japan is Google Flights. Every time we send SuperDeals to our 110,000 members (see some examples), we include links to Google Flights so that each deal can be booked immediately.

Google Flights then showcases various options for booking the deal: you can almost always book directly with the airline (by cutting out the middleman) or – alternatively – with an OTA that offers the same flight at a similar price. Once you have chosen your booking option, you will be redirected to the external website where you can finalize your ticket purchase.

One of Google Flights’ standout features is a color-coded bar that appears underneath the booking options. It provides a visual representation of the price in comparison to the typical fare (for the same route, class, and airline) – indicating whether it is lower, average, or higher.

Booking deals with Google Flights: price history
A visual representation of the flight price. In this example, the SuperDeal saves more than 50% compared to the regular fare.

If the marker falls within the green zone (“price is low”) don’t hesitate to secure this deal as it is significantly – 40% to 80% – cheaper than average and unlikely to drop further.

If you are not Air Traveler Club subscriber yet, you’re missing out on SuperDeals (we often send deals to Japan). Sign up now to start saving 40–80% on flights. It’s free!

For more details on how to book deals on Google Flights, check out this video:

YouTube video

Check different departure airports

Consider neighboring cities when choosing the departure airport – especially look for larger cities with airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines.

For example, if you live in West Europe, check prices for flights departing from Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome, or Vienna. In 9 out of 10 cases, the cheapest flight to Japan will depart from one of these hubs, and it may be €500 less or more than your first choice. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to this hub, but low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for €50 – €100.

Use a similar tactic if you depart from the US or another region. It’s one of the best ways to save hundreds on trips.

Book flights from many departure airports
By entering more than one departure city in the flight search engine (at the top of this page), you can quickly find the airport with the cheapest flights to your destination

Last-minute flights to Japan. The real cost of convenience.

Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to Japan almost always never works out.

Based on years of research, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. To make the most money, they will sell their cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of these travelers who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.

Occasionally, airlines can offer last-minute deals to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates tend to sell out quickly.

Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to Japan is 2-8 months before the takeoff.

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Airlines of Japan

Japan has two leading airlines – All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL).

All Nippon Airways is the country’s largest full-service carrier, a member of Star Alliance, and a company that is re-nowned for its impeccable airport staff service. Japan Airlines is the national flag carrier operating full-service flights to several destinations, including overseas – North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The JAL’s economy seats might be the best out there (it has been awarded World’s Best Economy Class award by Skytrax).

JAL’s low-cost subsidiary Jetstar Japan (also partially owned by Australian Qantas) operates shuttle services between Japanese cities, and only serves a few international cities: Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila, and Taipei.

Peach Aviation can be considered Japan’s first-ever low-cost carrier airline. It offers a variety of fare discounts and programs, focusing mostly on domestic routes. However, you may also find cheap international fares if you fly to Bangkok, Seoul, Hong Kong, Taipei or Shanghai. It maintains a strict luggage policy and keeps services to a bare minimum (beware of hidden fees).

Three other less-known Japanese airlines are targeting domestic budget travelers: Skymark Airlines (the only independent low-cost carrier, not controlled by either ANA or JAL), Spring Airlines Japan (a subsidiary of Chinese carrier Spring Airlines), and StarFlyer (also flies to Seoul and Taipei).

Flights to Japan from Australia and New Zealand

  • Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including Japan. In addition to domestic airlines – Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand – routes from Australia/New Zealand to Asia are operated by large regional carriers such as ANA, Emirates, Etihad, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.

    Direct flights and flights with one layover to Japan are available from all major airports in Australia – Sydney SYD, Brisbane BNE, Melbourne MEL, Perth PER, Adelaide ADL, Cairns CNS, Gold Coast OOL, Canberra CBR, and in New Zealand – Auckland AKL, Wellington WLG, Christchurch CHC, Queenstown ZQN, Dunedin DUD.
  • In terms of cost-savings, we recommend flying from Australia and New Zealand to a major Asian hub and then booking a flight to your final destination in Japan with a regional budget airline. Among the low-cost airlines that fly into Japan are AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Cebu Pacific, IndiGo, Jetstar, JEJU Air, Scoot, Tigerair, and VietJet Air.

    Currently, there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Japan. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia.

Prices of flights to Japan from Australia and New Zealand

Real-time economy class fares to Japan from major airports in Australasia — from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide in Australia, and from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch in New Zealand.

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“Hot seats” on long-haul flights

Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight to Japan, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.

If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.

Booking hot seats (preffered seats with extra legroom) on plane
Choosing a hot seat during the flight booking process is usually worth it. For a reasonable price, you will get more room to stretch your legs, as well as a wider seat pitch.

How much is Premium Economy to Japan?

Heading for a long-haul or overnight flight to Japan? The premium economy could be a worthwhile investment, ensuring you arrive rejuvenated.

Positioned between economy and business class, premium economy provides enhanced comfort (5–7 inches of extra legroom, wider seats with 2–3 extra inches recline, adjustable headrests and leg rests, larger personal TV screens) and extra perks (superior meals, larger baggage allowances, priority boarding, access to airport lounges). It’s a favored option for those seeking comfort without the cost of a full-fledged business-class ticket.

The majority of Asia Pacific carriers now feature premium economy class. According to Skytrax’s World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airlines Awards, the best premium economy is offered by Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Emirates, ANA, Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, China Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines.

However, the Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seats Award recognized Emirates as the top contender. Their premium economy class, currently available on A380 aircraft, exudes a business-class ambiance and occupies the front of the main deck of the superjumbo.

Premium Economy class cabin on Emirates
Emirates Premium Economy Class on A380. Seats in a 2-4-2 layout come with 40 inches (102cm) of legroom with cushioned leg rests, 19.5 inches (49.5 cm) of width, and 8 inches (20cm) of recline. Enhancements include a wider range of dishes and beverages on the menu, a 13.3-inch HD TV with Bluetooth headphone compatibility.

Premium economy class fares typically range from 25% to 100% more than standard economy tickets on the same flight. For instance, a round-trip economy ticket from the US to Japan might be priced around $700, whereas a premium economy ticket on the same route could be $1,000 to $1,500. In contrast, business class tickets for an identical itinerary may run between $3,000 and $5,000 or higher.

When booking closer to the departure date, premium economy is generally only 10–30% more expensive than standard economy fare. If premium seats aren’t filled, airlines might offer discounted upgrades at check-in.

To find the current prices of premium economy tickets to Japan, use our search form (choose “Premium Economy” in the cabin class drop-down menu).

Is the premium economy to Japan worth the extra cost? This decision hinges on individual priorities. For long-haul and overnight flights, the enhanced comfort can significantly improve the travel experience. If your journey consists of two or more connecting flights, opting for a premium seat on just one leg can still provide a superior journey compared to the standard economy throughout.

However, if the price gap for premium economy appears too steep, consider another viable alternative: hot seats.

Best way to upgrade to Business Class for cheap

A growing number of airlines are auctioning upgrades to their business class seats. Once you book your economy ticket to Japan, you can offer to pay a bit more in an attempt to get a premium seat. 2-3 days before your flight, an airline will send you an email with a link to their website where you can place a “blind” bid. Alternatively, you can go to the website directly and check if your seat qualifies for an upgrade by providing the Booking Reference number.

There’s usually a minimum bid amount. If you win the auction, you’ll be informed via email, and your seat will be upgraded.

Cheaper business class flight online bidding for upgrades
Virgin Australia auctions off upgrades to Business Class as a way to sell otherwise unused seats at the front of the plane

How to choose the right bid amount? Just check the airline website for the regular cost of a business class seat to Japan, then subtract what you paid for the economy fare. Place your bid for around 10% to 30% of that price. The alternative strategy is to bid slightly above the competition. If, for example, the minimum bid is $500, try to bid $550-$600, as most people will offer the baseline amount required.

The more available business class seats the airline has on your flight, the lower bid can be successfully used. Check the airline’s daily schedule for flights to Japan – if there is more than one flight on your chosen route (more available seats), you can safely bid close to the minimum required amount.

Among the airlines that allow bidding for seat upgrades are: Air Canada (AC Bid), Air New Zealand (OneUp), Cathay Pacific (Upgrade Bid), Etihad Airways (Bid To Upgrade), Fiji Airways (Bula Bid), Garuda Indonesia (BidUpgrade), Hawaiian Airlines (Bid Up), LATAM (Cabin Upgrade), Lufthansa (Bid Upgrade), Royal Jordanian (Go Crown), Qantas (Bid Now), SAS (SAS Upgrade), Singapore Airlines (mySQupgrade), SriLankan Airlines, and Virgin Australia (UpgradeMe).

Hidden-city ticketing hack

Hidden-city ticketing is a less-known money-saving tactic where you buy a plane ticket with a layover, with the intention to get off at the layover rather than the final destination. For example, a flight from New York to Tokyo might be $600, but a similar flight from New York to Singapore with a layover in Tokyo might be only $350. Choosing the latter and ending the trip in Tokyo would save you $250.

It seems counterintuitive that a fare from A to C via B could possibly be cheaper than a simple fare on a shorter route from A to B. However, airlines use dynamic, computer-driven price models calculated with little human intervention, and such deals happen quite often.

How to find hidden-city tickets? The easiest way is to use the Skiplagged website, which was designed for unearthing hidden-city deals — give them a try for your flight to Japan.

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Flights to Japan from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia

  • Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Japan look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
  • Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Japan will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
  • Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting Japan and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsiaCebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.

Flights from major Asian airports to Japan

Most major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Japan — including Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.

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Lost luggage prevention: Essential tips

Every year, airlines handle millions of bags and a small percentage never make it to their final destinations. Avoid lost luggage nightmares on your trip to Japan by removing old tags from previous flights on your suitcases – they can confuse baggage handlers and conveyor belt scanners. It’s also a good idea to label your luggage with your name, address, and phone number (both inside and outside the case) and attach a GPS-tracker device like Apple AirTag or Samsung SmartTag.

For peace of mind, consider purchasing travel insurance to cover the full value of your luggage, as airline liability usually doesn’t reflect the actual value of the baggage content.

Booking group flights to Japan

Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to Japan can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.

To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the airline, group size, and travel dates, and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.

Airlines and flight search websites typically limit automatic group bookings to 10 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline or a travel agent directly.

Most airlines have a group booking form or phone number (see examples at Emirates and Qantas). Fill out the form, and the airline will come back to you with the proposed group rate. If your group is large and a scheduled flight cannot accommodate everyone, the airline may offer you a charter flight.

Additionally, there are various perks that your group may be eligible for:

  • free seats (complimentary tickets for every 10 or 20 passengers that book together)
  • free checked baggage allowance
  • dedicated group check-in counter at the airport
  • cabin crew who speak your group’s language
  • flexible booking terms (that allow changes without fees)

Booking group flights to Japan is similar to booking individual flights. The main difference is that you’ll need to provide personal information for all passengers, and the airline may request additional details, such as meal preferences or accommodations for disabled travelers. A deposit – typically 10-50% of the total cost – may be required to secure the booking. However, some airlines offer deferred payment options where you can secure a reservation with a booking fee and pay the balance later.

If you’re open to different airlines or want more personalized service, a travel agent may be a better choice. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates to Japan and can help with logistics and scheduling.

“Book Flights Now, Pay Later” — is it worth it?

Booking a flight and paying for it later has recently become a popular trend in the travel industry, with many airlines offering delayed payment plans. They will allow you to make flight reservation to Japan now and then pay the bill in installments. But should you take advantage?

Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans are essentially short-term personal loans. By partnering with financial companies such as Affirm, Afterpay, PayPal Credit, Fly Now Pay Later, and Uplift, airlines can offer their loan services on the checkout page. When you book the flight with the BNPL option, the company pays the airline, and you repay the loan in installments over a set period (usually up to 24 months), with a set interest rate.

BNPL providers have varying terms and fees. Some may offer interest-free loans but have fees for late payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR). There may also be transaction fees, down payment requirements, and many companies even run a credit check on the traveler.

Fly now pay later - delayed payments for flight reservations
Fly Now Pay Later works with numerous popular travel brands to provide delayed payment options

Among the airlines that offer a “fly now, pay later” option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Southwest, and Virgin Atlantic.

Is BNPL financing worth it? If paid off on time, interest-free delayed payment on your flight ticket to Japan can be a great way to free up your cash flow. However, there may be safer alternatives available – such as taking advantage of an introductory 0% interest offer on a credit card or using flight price “freezing” services like Hopper.

Proof of onward travel – a simple hack

Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from Japan to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.

The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of Japan and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.

Confirmed flight ticket reservation
Proof of onward travel: confirmed flight ticket reservation (source: OnwardTicket)