How to finds cheap flights from Japan
As a foreigner living in Japan, you may want to have a nice relaxing vacation domestically or internationally. Japan has an abundance of travel options to choose from. From the Shinkansen, the overnight bus or even the normal train lines for a day trip. Another option is flight travel.
How to book Domestic flights in Japan
First, find the destination of where you want to go and what the best times to go are. Unless you are booking way in advance (2-3 months) it is best to avoid these peak travel times that Japanese people undertake:
Peak flight seasons in Japan:
• New Years (Late December-early January)
Many families take the Shinkansen back to their families in different prefectures, countryside. The price spikes and the transit can take a lot longer due to congestion.
• Spring school holidays/Sakura season (Late March-Early April)
Sakura season is the time for hanami (flower viewing) so many parents and grandparents come and take their children to the parks, rivers, and mountainside for camping.
• Golden Week (Late April)
Many workers in Japan will have time off, so this is the best time for them to fly domestically. Some hotels, travel tours, etc may be inaccesable due to over-crowding.
• Summer Holiday (Mid July-Early August)
Many students will be off of school, so parents will take this time to go back and visit their families in other prefectures .
• Winter in northern Japan (Mid December-Mid January)
If you are a skier or a hot spring go-er, you would likely have to book accommodations well in advance as people migrate to the North for recreational time in the snowy mountains.
If you have no choice but to travel during peak times, then be prepared. You may need to book flights, accommodation and restaurant reservations in advance.
What’s the cheapest time to book a domestic flight in Japan?
The off season for travelling with the cheapest flights/low tourism and fewer crowds are:
• After New Years (Mid January-early March)
The cold temperatures will reach it’s peak in January and February so many people tend to stay home.
• Summer Heat (June)
The temperature is picking up causing a heatwave, and the children are still at school. Take this time to enjoy river fishing and cool off in the mountains.
• Fall (Mid October-late November)
The fall period is still a bit hot, but not / too hot to enjoy the hot springs. This is the time for the leaves changing colors, but it is not too crowded as there are little to no holidays during this period.
Where to travel to for cheap flights in Japan
Next is the destination of your trip. Flight travel is best for when you are travelling over two or more prefectures in order to get your money’s worth. The cheapest place would definitely be in the smaller scale cities in Japan. A plane ticket can cost as little as 12,000 yen round trip for places like Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Tottori and Fukuoka. There is an abundance of nature, culture and activities you can explore outside the major cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.
Once you have choses a destination, it’s time to choose the airline. Japan has many budget airlines. If you are travelling from Tokyo, you will have to choose from two major airports. Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND). Please check the closest airport to your home and plan accordingly to the airline as some airlines only fly from one airport. If you are travelling from other airports, please check if these airlines are available at your prefectural airport or if you will need a layover.
What’s the cheapest domestic airline in Japan?
Jetstar
Jetstar really is a budget airline with cheap deals. Like other budget airlines, you will have a 7kg allowance for a carry-on, and will have to pay for any additional baggage. You can get a one-way ticket from Tokyo to Osaka for 8,000 yen during off season, and a round trip for 13,000 yen if you play your cards right.
Airdo
This budget-friendly airline offers a little bit more at a more costly price. They offer a 7kg carry-on allowance as well as 1 free baggage with a 23kg allowance with in-flight meals for longer flights. A round-trip starts from 18,000 yen for places close to your destination. If you want a cheaper option, you can also use Airdo Exclusive flights, however these flights are limited to certain airports.
Peach Aviation
Another low cost option with limited accommodations, but if you are in a pinch, and need to leave as quickly as possible, this might be an option. Round trips with a 7kg allowance can cost from 15,000 yen to 30,000 yen.
Third party sites
Places like Klook, Trip, Expedia, and skyscanner are a perfect way to compare prices. Some third-party sites like Klook can offer discounts or offer more in terms of in-flight accommodations. However, please be careful as some reputable third-parties might be scams. Due diligence is key when preparing for a trip.
There are other budget-friendly airlines that you might have heard of that have similar pro’s and con’s like ZIPAIR, ANA, Japan Airlines, AirAsia. Please choose an airline that correlates with your travel plans. It’s all up to you!
What’s the worst time to travel to Japan internationally?
If you are flying internationally, the peak season varies from domestic tourism. Many Japanese people tend to stay within Japan for travel. However, travelling internationally for business is very common, as well as tourists coming into and out of Japan. Please be aware of these peak season times.
• New Years (Late December-early January)
There will be an influx of tourists coming into Japan (especially in Tokyo) to experience the Japanese New Year. Most will leave in the early days between the 2nd to the 10th. You can either leave right after New Years or after this period.
• Sakura season (Late March-Early April)
Many tourists will come for the peak sakura season so flights tend to be more expensive. Go before the bloom or after in May where there is an off-season.
• Summer Holiday (Mid July-Early August)
Not only is class out for Japanese students, they are out for the rest of the world too. There will be a larger crowd in the scalding heat. Book your travel time in advance if you want to leave.
How to book International flights in Japan
What’s the cheapest way to fly to Japan?
Japan is a very accessible country to the rest of the world. If you plan to go somewhere with little flight hours, you can consider these countries.
• Korea (2 hrs 30 min)
Korea is Japan’s neighbor with a lot of beautiful scenic views, mountains galore and KPOP. If you’re interested in music, fashion, and creativity, go to Korea.
• Thailand (6 hrs)
Thailand is home to one of the spiciest cuisines in the world with night markets, night-life and beautiful beaches. It’s summer all year-round, so its a great destination to get away from the cold winters in Japan.
• China (4 hrs 20 min)
With its expansive history and beautiful visage of nature, you can experience quite literally anything to your heart’s desire. Home to calligraphy and Opera, you can enjoy a plethora of activities.
• Vietnam (6 hrs)
A place of peace and tranquility. You can board a boat along the calming seas, visit the temples on the mountain and eat their delicious food.
• Philippines (5 hrs)
The Philippines is home to some of the most beautiful natural monuments with crystal clear waterfalls and majestic mountains. You can traverse the Banana Rice Terraces and visit the Chocolate Hills. A great place for any back-packer.
• Taiwan (5 hrs)
Taiwan is underrated but very worth the trip. A beautiful landscape encapsulated with modernity yet still retains its longstanding history. Everywhere is a historical monument still in time. You can visit the temples, visit the historical old streets and enjoy the hot springs.
International airlines do have budget friendly versions like the ones mentioned above. However, for longer flights it better to look for these key points:
Baggage allowance (7kg carry on + 23kg baggage) Make sure that baggage allowance is free or is reasonably priced.
In-flight meals. For flights longer than 3 hours, an in-flight meal should be included in the price of the ticket. If there is no meal, rethink the booking.
Layovers. These can keep costs down significantly. However, please note how long the layover is and if it is worth it to stay in another country for 5+ hours waiting.
Basic Economy. If you purchase a basic economy flight, you are not allowed to get a seat until everyone has been seated. In the unlikely event that the flight has been overbooked, you might be subject to a flight change.
What’s the cheapest international airline to Japan?
The most common one is Japan Airlines. Japan Airlines is a domestic and international airline that caters more on the side of accessibility. For those that need a flight stat, Japan airlines has no problems accommodating. Not the most budget friendly, but they have everything you will need from in-flight meals, baggage, and free drinks. If you’re looking to have more comfort over your wallet, this airline has it.
Delta
Not a Japanese company, but Delta has some of the best price points for both direct and layover flights. Mostly deals with flights from Japan to the US, however there are other destinations that Delta can handle. They have basic economy with baggage allowance, in-flight meals and beverage cart. They also have in-flight entertainment with English movies.
ZIPAIR
A budget airline from Japan. They offer minimal services, but they get the job done. They are great in accommodations and the seat quality is good for the price. You will have to pay for extra baggage, meals and snacks. The good thing about ZIPAIR is that if you buy the tickets in Japan, there is an option for a convenience store payment.
AirAsia Japan
A subsidiary of the Singapore airline Air Asia, this airline offers budget friendly options with an allocation for baggage on certain flights.
ANA
Like Japan Airlines, ANA is a conglomerate that can offer both in terms of budget and comfort.
Overall, when planning a flight trip, please do your research in finding the best option for you and your wallet.
—
Looking for a better ALT job in Japan? Join our RCS ALT company today. Click on the [APPLY] page for more details.
