On the surface, this article might seem to have limited appeal—namely, to Australians (and secondarily, to English-speak citizens and residents of Japan). These people, after all, are the primary ones traveling between these countries.
However, I also aim for a small but important demographic: Travelers in both countries who, likely for semantic reasons more than schedule-related ones, want to travel from one to the other (or back).
No matter why you need to travel from Australia to Japan (or back the other way), I hope you’ll find this article informative and inspiring. Let’s get started, shall we?
Why Japan and Australia Pair So Well Together
As I mentioned in the previous section, the reality is that many people traveling from Japan to Australia (or back) are doing so out of necessity: They live at one end, and are vacationing in the other. But even if you don’t fall into this category, there are many reasons to consider pairing these two destinations together. And not just because similar time zones means that there is little to no jet lag!
Personally, I find that the free-spirited nature of Aussies and the vastness of the country provide a perfect contrast to the orderliness of Japan, and to its most compact natural wonders. On the other hand, Australia’s cities are mostly clean and beautiful, albeit not as much so as Japan’s. There’s also the fact that sports betting in Australia is so much easier than any sort of gambling in Japan.
All the Ways from Australia to Japan (and Back)
Fly nonstop from Sydney to Tokyo or Osaka
The good news? You can fly from Sydney (SYD) to both Tokyo (HND) and Osaka (KIX). The better news? On the Tokyo route, you have your choice of airlines (it’s served by both JAL and ANA, as well as Qantas), though to Osaka, your only option is low-cost Jetstar.
Fly nonstop from Melbourne to Tokyo
Surprisingly, Melbourne (MEL) to Tokyo only enjoys service from one carrier, Qantas. Even more surprisingly, you can only fly to Narita Airport (NRT), which isn’t a huge deal—it’s only slightly further than Haneda from central Tokyo by train—but is a bit puzzling, given how important a business city Melbourne is.
Fly nonstop from Perth to Tokyo
Like Melbourne, Perth (PER) only has one airline serving Tokyo. However, in this case it’s ANA, which I definitely prefer over Qantas (sorry Qantas!) when traveling to Japan. As is also the case with Melbourne, travelers originating in Perth will arrive at Narita.
Fly nonstop from Brisbane to Tokyo
As is the case from Melbourne, Qantas is the lone carrier service Brisbane-Tokyo, and does so to Narita only. However, given the extent to which Brisbane Airport (BNE) has been incentivizing service, the city could land a Haneda flight one day.
Fly nonstop from Cairns to Tokyo
Whether you’re traveling from Tokyo to the Great Barrier Reef, or live in northern Queensland and need to visit Japan, this novelty flight is for you. Do keep in mind that like the Sydney to Osaka route, Cairns (CNS) to Tokyo-Narita is only served by Jetstar.
Connect via Southeast Asia
Want to take a more creative (and, let’s be honest, maybe less expensive) route between Australia and Japan? Southeast Asian carriers can be an attractive option. My favorites include Thai Airways via Bangkok (BKK), Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Singapore Airlines via Singapore (SIN).
Where to Go in Japan for Aussies (Besides Niseko)
Aussies love skiing in Niseko (and, to a lesser extent, Nagano) which makes sense: Winter in Japan is summer in Australia. What better way to beat the heat, right? But this—the season and the destination(s) is really only the beginning of what Japan has to offer. It should go without saying, but spending Australian spring and autumn in Japan (seeing autumn colors and spring’s sakura, respectively) are two amazing options.
Another option for traveling from Australia to Japan? Hit up Okinawa. Although Australia itself has amazing beaches, Japan’s are delightfully free of things that can kill you. Want to enjoy subtropical vibes without actually sunning yourself or swimming? Instead consider a visit to Kyushu or Shikoku, the two southernmost of Japan’s four major islands.
Other FAQ About Traveling Between Australia and Japan
How many hours to Japan from Australia?
Depending on where you originate and whether or not you travel nonstop, the minimum amount of time in transit between Japan and Australia is about 9-10 hours. This isn’t a short flight, granted, though it is jetlag-free, which makes its after-effects much less severe.
Do Australians need a visa for Japan?
Australian passport holders can enter Japan for tourism purposes for up to 90 days without a visa. Note that if you reside in Australia and hold a different passport, or need to visit Japan for non-tourism purposes, you may need to get a visa. Please visit your local Japanese diplomatic mission to confirm.
How do I go to Australia from Japan?
Obviously, the only realistic way between Australia and Japan is flying. However, you can choose from nonstops between Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns and Perth to Tokyo, and Sydney to both Osaka and Tokyo; many creative connections via East and Southeast Asia are also available.
The Bottom Line
Have I smooth your passage from Australia to Japan, or back the other way? I certainly hope I have! The vast majority of you, of course, will simply fly between major Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Tokyo. However, more creative routings do exist, whether you take the niche low-cost flight between Tokyo and Cairns (aka the Great Barrier Reef), or travel via one of the excellent airlines of Southeast Asia, such as Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines or Malaysia Airlines. Need personalized help putting your Japan trip together? Consider hiring me to plan it!
