Japan is cheaper than it’s been in our lifetimes, thanks to the perpetual weakness of the Japanese yen. Whether you’re a budget backpacker or prefer to travel on the high end, Japan gives you more bang for your buck than ever before.
Unfortunately, this is not the case for flights to Japan. Demand for travel to Japan coupled by a pullback in overseas flying by Chinese airlines (which raises fares to and from Asia more broadly) means that flights to cities like Tokyo and Osaka are uniformly well expensive.
Well, unless you make a point of finding the cheapest way to get to Japan. There are deals to be found, if you know where to find them!
What is Considered a “Good Deal” for a Flight to Japan?
Before I get into ways to find Japan flight deals, allow me to explain what qualifies as a “good” price for each class of service (based on flying from the US to Japan):
- Economy: Any round-trip fare of under $1,000 is considered a good deal. If you’re flying from the West Coast (LAX, SFO, SEA) or Hawaii, you may find flights significantly cheaper than this.
- Premium economy: Premium economy isn’t worth more than double the price of economy. So I’d say you should shirk tickets that cost more than $2,000 round-trip.
- Business: With the exception of low-cost airlines like ZIPAIR (which really just off a business class seat, and none of the service), you can’t usually fly from the US to Japan in business for under $4,000 round-trip.
- First: ANA and JAL are the only airlines that offer first-class service from the US to Japan, and almost never for less than $10,000 round-trip.
5 Ways to Save on Flights to Japan
Start shopping early
Prices on flights to Japan are generally consistent from when bookings open (between 11-12 months out) until 1-3 months before travel, depending on the season. If you’re planning to visit Japan for cherry blossom season, for example, you’re much likelier to get a good fare far in advance of departure.
(Or wait until the last minute)
It might sound paradoxical, but whether paying cash or points (more on that later), some of the cheapest flights to Japan show up just days before departure. I’ve had situations where I cancel existing flights and book news ones because I find a new itinerary that’s so cheap.
Don’t insist on nonstop flights
If you’re lucky enough to live in a city with nonstop flights to Japan, the first thing I want you to know is that I’m jealous. The second? While the convenience of flying nonstop is hard to overstate, it also almost always calls at a cost. On the other hand, the more connections you endure en route to Tokyo, the more you’ll generally cave.
(Unless you live in Los Angeles—or Tokyo)
One exception I’ve found to this rule is Los Angeles (LAX), which has the cheapest flights to Japan from the US. Because several airlines serve LAX-HND/NRT nonstop, prices tend to be low, even for nonstop flights—and even, on occasion, in premium classes. Likewise, it tends to be cheaper to fly from Japan to the US than vice-versa.
Understand the limits of frequent flyer miles
I use frequent flyer miles for most of my trips to Japan (and for flying business class all over the world), but am only able to do so because I’m extremely strategic. If I wasn’t, high demand for flights to Japan coupled with never-ending devaluation of frequent flyer programs would make my points absolutely useless.
Get Personalized Assistance With Your Japan Trip
Although I’m not a miles and points blogger, I am pretty skilled at finding cheap flights to Japan, and award availability when cash prices are high. But beyond this, I’m a professional trip planner with more than a decade of experience putting together custom Japan itineraries. Whether it’s your first time in Japan or your 50th, it pays to consider hiring me to plan your trip.
In addition to getting you deals on flights to Japan, I’ll recommend exciting, eclectic destinations that match your travel personality, and sequence them in a way that fits your travel style. I’ll also make personalized suggestions for accommodation, activities and meals, as well as detailed, on-the-ground transportation advice, from long-distance Shinkansen bullet trains, to subways and buses within cities.
Other FAQ About Cheap Flights to Japan
What is the cheapest month to fly to Japan?
Prices for flights to Japan may be marginally lower in “shoulder” months such as May and October, as well as during the winter outside of holiday periods. However, as of the mid-2020s, persistently high travel demand means that it tends to be expensive to fly to Japan year-round.
What is the cheapest US city to fly to Japan?
Los Angeles (LAX) is by far the cheapest airport in the US for flights to Japan, even if you fly nonstop. This is because as many as seven airlines fly the LAX-TYO route on any given day, many of them with multiple flights. It isn’t uncommon to find round-trip basic economy fares for somewhere around 500 USD!
Why is flying to Japan so expensive?
Flying to Japan is expensive first and foremost because Japan remains such a hot travel destination. It’s also an important business destinations, which is why premium cabins are elevated even above economy class. Finally, Chinese airlines have significantly pulled back their US flying in the wake of the pandemic, raising transpacific fares across the board, and not just to or from Japan.
The Bottom Line
Looking for the cheapest way to get to Japan? For some travelers, this involves booking your ticket very early (or, paradoxically, very late). Others will play around with creative or protracted routings, or consider using airlines they wouldn’t typically fly. In still other cases, frequent flyer miles can help you fly to Japan cheaper, particularly if you wish to fly JAL or ANA business class. Even if you end up paying a lot for your Japan flights, you can rest assured knowing that Japan is cheaper than it’s ever been, at least during our lifetimes. Save as much stress as you do cash when you hire me to plan your Japan adventure.
