

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.
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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 airport — Tokyo Haneda
HND
, Tokyo NaritaNRT
, OsakaKIX
, NagoyaNGO
, HiroshimaHIJ
, and FukuokaFUK
.
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 flights between the major cities via domestic airlines such as ANA, Japan Airlines, Jetstar Japan, Peach Aviation, Skymark Airlines, Spring Airlines Japan, and StarFlyer. To check flight schedules/prices and to book the tickets, visit their official websites — OTAs and flight search engines often don’t have access to the flight repository of smaller local airlines. They also often fail to update prices in the event of short-lived sales and promotions that airlines run from time to time. To not miss out on these great offers, visit Promo Radar which aggregates current promotions run by popular airlines.
- Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Japan can be easily reached with low-cost regional airlines (LCCs) by the likes of AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Cebu Pacific, IndiGo, Jetstar, JEJU Air, Scoot, Tigerair, and VietJet Air.
These budget carriers offer flights from Tokyo, Osaka, or Fukuoka at lower prices than full-service airlines, and they often fly to smaller airports that big players do not cover. However, the “no-frills” airlines 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). With that in mind, they are a great option to save money if you have a stopover in Japan and then fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries.

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
.
Airlines flying to Japan | Aeromexico, 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 airlines | ANA, Japan Airlines, Jetstar Japan, Peach Aviation, Skymark Airlines, Spring Airlines Japan, StarFlyer |
Regular price (roundtrip) | ✈ €600 – €900 (from Europe) ✈ $500 to $800 (from USA) |
Flight hacks | 40% — 80% off regular fare |
Main airports | Haneda 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 promotions | See ticket sales & promos available for flights departing from February to April |
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).
Flights to Japan fromUnited 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
, DallasDFW
, DenverDEN
, ChicagoORD
, Los AngelesLAX
, Las VegasDFW
, MiamiMIA
, SeattleSEA
, HoustonIAH
, New YorkJFK
, and San FranciscoSFO
in the United States and TorontoYYZ
, VancouverYVR
, CalgaryLAS
, and MontrealYUL
in Canada. - The best airlines to fly to Japan from the US and Canada are: Japan Airlines, Air Canada, American Airlines, ANA, 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. Shown are the top three deals for flights departing in the coming months (February to October).
Flight hacking
Hacker faresto Japan
Superdeals airlines don't want you to see:
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.
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.
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, British Airways, Finnar, Japan Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, LOT, SWISS, and Turkish Airlines. - Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Japan include Air France, ANA, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines,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: LondonLHR
and ManchesterMAN
in the United Kingdom, FrankfurtFRA
and MunichMUC
in Germany, ParisCDG
and NiceNCE
in France, AmsterdamAMS
in the Netherlands, MadridMAD
and BarcelonaBCN
in Spain, RomeFCO
and MilanoMXP
in Italy, BrusselsBRU
in Belgium, CopenhagenOSL
in Denmark, OsloOSL
in Norway, StockholmARN
in Sweden, ZurichZRH
in Switzerland, LisbonLIS
in Portugal, ViennaVIE
in Austria, WarsawWAW
in Poland, PraguePRG
in Czech Republic, and DublinDUB
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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Get 40% – 80% off airfares from Europe to Japan:
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.

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. The convenience of being able to book a flight on the fly is a dangerous game of chance, and you will most likely end up paying significantly higher than booking in advance.
The common perception may be that airlines decrease ticket prices to fill empty seats as the departure date approaches. However, the truth is that airfares depend on demand. Based on years of research and current customer data, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. They are also well aware that people are willing to pay a premium for flights they need to take immediately. To make the most money, the airline will sell its cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of business travelers and others who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.

Occasionally, airlines can put some seats on sale to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates around peak travel times 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 around 60-90 days before the departure date.
“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.

Lost baggage prevention
Avoid lost luggage nightmares by removing old tags on your suitcases. Tags are printed with a barcode for identification and tracking, so the old tags can confuse baggage handlers and the conveyor belt scanners. They are one of the reasons so many bags miss their flight or get misrouted.
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 – SydneySYD
, BrisbaneBNE
, MelbourneMEL
, PerthPER
, AdelaideADL
, CairnsCNS
, Gold CoastOOL
, CanberraCBR
, and in New Zealand – AucklandAKL
, WellingtonWLG
, ChristchurchCHC
, QueenstownZQN
, DunedinDUD
. - 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.
Prices in Australian Dollar.
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Curated dealsfrom flight experts
Fly half-price (or less!) from Australia and New Zealand to Japan:
“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, Postpay, 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.
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.
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.

Booking a hidden city ticket isn’t as easy as booking a standard itinerary. There are some things to be aware of: (1) don’t check baggage — bring only hand luggage that can fit under the seat or an overhead compartment; a large checked bag will end up in the final destination C; (2) don’t use it for return flights — airlines often void any subsequent tickets if any segment of the first ticket is missed; (3) Do not overuse this tactic with the same airline — hidden-city ticketing is legal but airlines don’t like it and may try to punish you; (4) Don’t associate your frequent flyer account — the airline might invalidate any miles you’ve accrued with them.
How to find hidden-city tickets? The easiest way is to use Skiplagged website, which was designed for unearthing hidden-city deals — give them a try for your flight to Japan.
Get cheaper business class by bidding on airline upgrades
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. There’s usually a minimum bid amount. If you win the auction, you’ll be informed, and your seat will be upgraded.
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, Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways (Bula Bid), Garuda Indonesia (BidUpgrade), Qantas, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, and Virgin Australia (UpgradeMe).

Fly early in the morning
Early morning flights (6 am or earlier) are usually cheaper than other day schedules. It’s because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Use it to your advantage.
Moreover, airports are also less crowded, and there tend to be fewer delays if you fly early in the morning. Due to increasing air traffic, delays get worse throughout the day – starting around 8-10 am and reaching a peak at 4-6 pm. If you are flying to Japan with a connecting flight, arriving on time at your layover airport may be critical to catching your next flight!
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 AirAsia, Cebu 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.
Asian airports with the cheapest flights to Japan in 2023/24
Find the lowest prices for flights to Japan from the largest airports in Asia — Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), Indira Gandhi (New Delhi, India), 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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Get curated deals to Japan from our flight experts:
Take advantage of loyalty programs
Choose an airline that suits you the best, then stick to it. By becoming a ‘regular’, you will be able to use its loyalty program and earn “miles” (or points) – not only for flying but also for everyday expenses (if your card is affiliated with an airline).
Points earned this way often add up over time and are extremely helpful in flying at reduced fares. Airlines offer not only ticket discounts for their frequent flyers, but also special travel perks such as cabin class upgrades, increased checked baggage allowance, or access to their airport lounges so you can relax during long layovers.
If you often fly with Emirates, opt for Skywards, with Qantas – for Qantas Frequent Flyer, with Singapore Airlines – for KrisFlyer, etc.
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.

How to book a superdeal to Japan?
Every superdeal you receive from Air Traveler Club includes a link you can use to book a flight. It always directs you to the website that offers the lowest price. Sometimes it’s an airline website; in other cases, Google Flights or a similar flight booking platform.
This video explains how to use Google Flights to book a plane ticket.

Dealing with the jet lag
Jet lag affects people differently depending on age, physical fitness, and genetics. The most accepted rule suggests that you should allow one full day to recover from jet lag for every time zone (hour gained) you traveled east and a number of days equal to half the time zones crossed when you traveled west.
The most effective natural jet lag remedy is to force your body into its new routine. You can begin before getting off the plane: set your watch to the time in Japan, then do your best to sleep and eat based on the new time zone. Close the window shade when it’s time to simulate darkness. During your first day on the ground in Japan, get outdoors, stay physically active during the day, and absorb sunlight.
FAQ: Flying to Japan
Q: What is the cheapest month to fly to Japan?
A: The best time to fly cheaply to Japan tends to be during the low season – September through March (except for the New Year). The peak tourist season in Japan is in the springtime (March to April) when the cherry blossom season attracts many visitors and airfares skyrocket. Also, watch out for other peak times around only-in-Japan holidays, such as Golden Week (end of April through the beginning of May), the summer holidays (July and August) and Obon (mid-August). If you really have to travel to Japan during these peak periods it’s wise to book the flights well in advance.
Q: Which airport is best to fly into in Japan?
A: Japan sees most foreign travelers flying to Tokyo's Haneda and Narita airports, Osaka's Kansai Airport and Nagoya's Chubu Centrair Airport. Many other Japanese airports - Fukuoka Airport, Sapporo's New Chitose Airport, Okinawa's Naha Airport - also have a small number of international flights, mainly to South Korea, Taiwan and China.
Q: Tokyo Narita or Haneda: which airport should I fly into?
A: Both of Tokyo’s airports serve long-haul flights to destinations around the world. ANA, Japan Airlines and most large international airlines operate flights out of both Narita and Haneda. The main difference is that Haneda offers flights to 35 cities internationally, while Narita covers a whopping 120 cities.
The distance between the two airports is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) via taxi. However, Narita is located more far from the city center though - 75 km (47 miles) and 1,5 hours ride vs 20 km (13 miles) and 40 min ride for Haneda airport. The average taxi cost is ¥23,000 (~$210) for Narita and ¥11,000 (~$100) for Haneda. If you want to save time and money, Haneda should be your airport of choice when flying to Tokyo.
Q: Why are flights to Japan so expensive?
A: The flight prices to Japan depend primarily on which part of the world you are flying from. For example, the cheapest return tickets to Japan from North America are around $500-800 - not that expensive for around 10,000 km (one way) route.
Time of travel and time of booking are also significant factors. High demand + low supply = higher fares. If you travel during the peak season (high demand) and book a last-minute flight (low supply - not many tickets left), your flight to Japan will be really expensive (expect to pay 2 or 3 times more than the average price!).
The number of carriers that fly to Indonesia from your region also plays a role. Neighboring countries tend to have plenty of flights, not only with large, full-service airlines but also with regional low-cost carriers. Competition is fierce, so prices are low.
Finally, there are oil prices and the fact that airfares are pegged to the US dollar. These factors are passed on to travelers, so your flight ticket can become even more expensive.
Q: How much is the flight ticket from Europe to Japan?
A: The price of your ticket depends on your city of departure, the chosen airline, the number of stopovers, the booking period, etc. Flights from East Europe to Japan tend to be the cheapest, with fares averaging €300 – €400 for one-way, and €600 – €900 for a return ticket if booked at least a few weeks in advance. Flying from West Europe (London, Madrid, Paris) is a bit more expensive, with averages of €400 – €500 (one-way) and €700 – €1100 (return).
Q: How much does it usually cost to fly to Japan from the USA?
A: The prices of flights from the USA to Japan fluctuate and will likely increase closer to your departure date. Assuming you book well in advance, you can find return flights from the USA to Japan ranging from $500 to $800 (departing from the West Coast) and $600 to $900 (departing from the East Coast).
Q: Which airlines fly directly from North America (US/Canada) to Japan?
A: Direct flights to Japan are operated by Japan Airlines, Air Canada, American Airlines, ANA, Hawaiian Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, and Zipair.
Q: When is the best time to book flights to Japan?
A: Plane tickets usually don’t get cheaper closer to the departure date. Even these reasonably priced flights in the low season sell out quite far ahead of the date of travel. It pays to book your ticket well in advance, as it will give you a good range of flight times and seat selection choices.
The best time to book flights to Japan can vary among airlines but the golden time usually falls between 2 months and 6 months before the departure. So, January is the best time to book flights if you want to visit Japan during the summer.
User Review
4.8 (544 votes)Flights to Japan
Whether on a vacation of a lifetime or a business trip, flying to Japan is not as easy as booking local travel.
Most likely you are looking at a long-haul trip — and every layover will add a few more hours if you choose not to take a direct flight. Choose your airline wisely, by reading the online reviews left by passengers who have already taken a similar route. Always look for their in-flight experience: seats (are they comfy and spacious?), menu (was it delicious with plenty of choices for different tastes and diets?), and the entertainment options available onboard (the quality of screens and headphones, the range of movie/music/tv channels on offer, etc).
If you have specific travel dates, it's worth booking as soon as possible. Leave it too late and you might have to pay almost double the price, especially if you want to fly during school holidays and popular times like New Year's Eve. If you're not yet an Air Traveler Club subscriber, sign up now — we'll send you lots of discounted offers for free. Our members often save $500 or more on flights to Japan!
Pros
- Plenty of airlines flying to Japan
- Cheap tickets available
- Flight hacks available
Cons
- Long-haul flights can be expensive