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 Tokyo

  • If you are flying to Tokyo from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airportHaneda Airport (Haneda Kūkō, before: Tokyo International Airport) HND and Narita International Airport NRT.

    Haneda Airport is Japan's busiest airport and ranks among the world's five busiest airports. Compared to Narita Airport, it handles significantly more domestic flights, but fewer international flights. It is also located much closer to the Tokyo city center (20km vs 75km). Haneda has three terminal buildings with Terminals 1 and 2 reserved mostly for domestic flights. Terminal 1 is for passengers flying with Japan Airlines, Skymark Airlines, and Star Flyer for the Kansai area. Terminal 2 is mostly for ANA, Solaseed Air, and Star Flyer passengers flying for North Kyusu. Terminal 3 handles the airport's international flights and offers a pleasant range of dining, shopping and entertainment options. Both airports have an abundant access to airport shuttles, trains, and taxis which makes it extremely convenient to travel to and from the Tokyo area
    .

    These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into Tokyo. 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 Tokyo, 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 Tokyo can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of AirAsia, Bamboo Airways, Cebu Pacific, Jetstar, JEJU Air, Scoot, Tigerair, and VietJet Air. If you have a layover in Tokyo 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 Tokyo

Best airports to fly into Tokyo: Haneda Airport (HND), Narita International Airport (NRT), and Ibaraki Airport (IBR)
Tokyo has two international airports – Haneda Airport HND and Narita International Airport NRT. Haneda Airport is only 20km south of central Tokyo, considerably closer to the city center than Narita Airport - located in Narita, Chiba, in the eastern part of the Greater Tokyo Area, about 75 kilometers from Tokyo center. There is also a third airport nearby - Ibaraki Airport IBR located on the northern outskirts of Tokyo (about 90 km) in the city of Omitama in Ibaraki Prefecture. It is a quiet airport, with low air traffic mostly from the budget carriers.
Things to know before flying to Tokyo
Airlines flying to TokyoAeromexico, AirAsia, Air Busan, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, ANA, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Bamboo Airways, British Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Egypt Air, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Garuda Indonesia, Hainan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Express, Iberia, Japan Airlines, JetStar, JEJU Air, Jin Air, KLM, LATAM, LOT, Lufthansa, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Nepal Airlines, Peach Aviation, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei, Airlines, Scoot, Shanghai Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Spring Airlines, SWISS, T'way Air, Thai Airways, Tigerair Taiwan, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, VietJet Air, Vietnam Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Zipair Tokyo
Japanese airlinesAll Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, Jetstar Japan, Peach Aviation, Skymark Airlines, Spring Airlines Japan, StarFlyer, AIRDO, Solaseed Air
Regular price (roundtrip)✈ €600 – €900 (from Europe)
✈ $500 to $800 (from USA)
Flight hacks 40% — 80% off regular fare
Airports in TokyoHaneda Airport (HND) – Tokyo
Narita International Airport (NRT) – Tokyo
Ibaraki Airport (IBR) – Omitama
Airline discountsDiscounted airline tickets to Tokyo (student/family/seniors/military)

Low-cost flights from Tokyo

Stay ahead of the game. Fly to popular destinations at a fraction of the regular fare.

Tokyo Narita or Haneda Airport?

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 km (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 ($175/A$250) for Narita and ¥11,000 ($85/A$120) for Haneda. If you want to save time and money, Haneda should be your airport of choice when flying to Tokyo.

The cheapest time to fly to Tokyo

During the peak summer months, all of Tokyo’s top attractions get rather busy. If you plan to do some sightseeing, 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 with the things other visitors will miss out on: amazing warm fall colors and shorter queues at entrances to museums and temples.

However, if you are looking for the cheapest flights, fly to Tokyo in the low season – December, January and February. You will have the chance to see the city in a whole new light, often under a layer of snow. A special event – hanami (the flowering of plum trees) – bloom as early as February in Tokyo. In addition, you will see low prices everywhere, namely the accommodation and flights.

Avoid Tokyo during the Golden Week

Prices skyrocket during holidays in Tokyo – consider adjusting your travel dates to avoid high ticket prices. Golden Week, a cluster of public holidays in April and May that often fall on weekends, is one of the busiest travel periods of the year in Japan. Many establishments, including cafes and restaurants, shut down during Golden Week as locals travel to be with their families. Be prepared for crowded flights, trains and fully booked hotels as the demand is high and reservations fill up quickly.

In addition to Golden Week, it is also wise to avoid other high-traffic holidays such as New Year (January 1-3), Obon (August 11-19), and Silver Week (September 16-23). If you must travel during these times, booking your flights as early as possible is advisable.

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 (see their location at the Haneda Airport) and many other places 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!

Next tips

Flights to Tokyo from United States and Canada

  • There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Tokyo. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Tokyo, 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 Tokyo 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.
  • Tokyo is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Tokyo 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 Tokyo 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.

US and Canada to Tokyo.
Ticket prices in March 2024.

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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).

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 ($40/A$60), JPY 7700 ($58/A$85), and JPY 11000 (~$82/A$120).

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 the exploration of Japan’s diverse islands. With different fare rules, you can choose between two fare types – Value and Super Value.

Know your time zone

When checking flights and airport transfer times, ensure you know the local time zones. The departure/arrival times on your plane ticket and boarding pass are based on the time zone of the departure/arrival airport – this also applies to the connecting (layover) airports.

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 Tokyo are 9 hours ahead of London and 14 hours ahead of New York. JST does not have an associated daylight saving time.

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 ($3.8/A$5.5) they are ideal for day trips. However, be careful as they usually have 24-hour limits and will charge you extra for overtime.

Next tips

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

  • There are no direct flights from Europe to Tokyo — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Direct flights from Europe to Tokyo are about 11-14 hours long. Only some of the largest European hubs have a nonstop connection to Tokyo (arriving either at Haneda Airport HND or Narita International Airport NRT) - among them are Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Helsinki, London, Paris, Warsaw, and Zurich. Those flights are operated by ANA, Japan Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Finnair, KLM, Lufthansa, LOT, SWISS, and Turkish Airlines.
  • Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Tokyo include ANA, Japan Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, KLM, LOT, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and SWISS.
  • 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 Tokyo from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Leverage frequent promotions from European budget carriers like RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to reach a major hub; from there, take a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination, potentially saving hundreds of euros.
  • These major European airports are excellent departure points for trips to Tokyo: 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 the Czech Republic, and Dublin DUB in Ireland.

Europe to Tokyo.Flight schedule and ticket prices.

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Last-minute flights to Tokyo. 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 Tokyo 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.

Last-minute flight cost spike
Late booking penalty: The flight prices rise as departure draws near. Last-minute flights are almost always more expensive 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 Tokyo is 2-8 months before the takeoff.

Looking for the best deals for Tokyo? Check different departure airports.

Airlines often have varying prices for flights to Tokyo from different airports – even if they are in close proximity to one another. So don’t limit yourself to just your nearest airport. The neighboring cities may have lower-priced flights that include a layover at Tokyo, or may even have direct flights that are more budget-friendly.

For example, if you’re looking to fly from Paris to Tokyo, it may be worth checking prices for flights departing from London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Rome. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to these hubs, but domestic low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for less than €100.

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

The same goes for long-haul flights to Tokyo from anywhere in the world. By broadening your search to include neighboring airports, you may discover lower-priced options that can save you hundreds of euros!

Domestic flights from Tokyo

Most domestic routes in Japan are operated by local carriers. When traveling to popular tourist destinations such as Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Naha, Kagoshima, Nagoya from Tokyo Haneda and Narita Airport, you’ll likely fly with one of these domestic airlines: ANA, Japan Airlines, Jetstar Japan, Peach Aviation, Skymark Airlines, Spring Airlines Japan, and StarFlyer.

This is often the best transportation method, providing speed, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Local airlines often offer multiple daily flights to key destinations, providing flexibility in scheduling and competitive pricing. They also serve smaller regional airports, enabling access to a wider range of Japanese destinations.

Flights to Tokyo from Australia and New Zealand

  • Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including Tokyo. In addition to domestic airlines – Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand – routes from Australasia to Asia are operated by large international carriers such as ANA, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways.

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


    Direct flights from Australasia to Tokyo take approximately 9-11 hours of flight time. While choosing a flight with connections can save money, it will also add from 2 to 10 hours (sometimes more) of travel time. If you opt for an indirect route, some of the best options include routing through Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Ho Chi Minh/Hanoi.
  • Airfare costs can vary widely depending on the route and the airline’s pricing strategy. To find the cheapest flight to Tokyo, compare ticket prices from various international 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, and Dunedin DUD.
  • For optimal savings, consider flying from Australia or New Zealand to a key Asian hub, then connect to Tokyo via a regional low-cost carrier. Among budget airlines that fly to Tokyo are AirAsia, Bamboo Airways, Cebu Pacific, Jetstar, JEJU Air, Scoot, Tigerair, and VietJet Air.

    For the first leg, use the budget carriers that fly out of Australian airports, leveraging sales and promotions they run frequently: AirAsia (connects with Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore), Cebu Pacific (Manila), Jetstar (Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo), Scoot (Singapore), VietJet Air (Ho Chi Minh City), Bamboo Airways (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Beijing), and Batik Air (Jakarta, Singapore).

Australia and New Zealand to Tokyo.Flight ticket prices today.

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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 Tokyo, 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.

Booking group flights to Tokyo

Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to Tokyo 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.

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 Tokyo and can help with logistics and scheduling.

Flights to Tokyo 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 Tokyo 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 Tokyo 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.
  • Most major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Tokyo — including 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.

Tokyo from major Asian airports.Flight prices in March 2024.

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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)

Fly now, pay later

Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans for flights have become a popular trend in the travel industry, allowing travelers to book flights and pay in installments. Among the airlines that offer this option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines. They partner with external financial companies to offer their loan services on the checkout page.

The BNPL plans come with varying terms and fees. Some may be interest-free 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).

When considering BNPL financing for your flight to Tokyo, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the pros and cons, and thoroughly review the terms and conditions.