GaijinPot In Japan: Information, Opinion and Cool Stuff from Japan

Flights to and from Japan

All you need to know about flying into and out of Japan

Whether you are studying, working, or just visiting Japan, finding a flight to the country is an inevitable but stressful aspect of your trip abroad; with the flood of travel agencies and airline options out there, it is tough to know whether you are actually going to get a quality flying experience at a good price. This page is designed to be of help to everyone flying into or out of the country; as well as providing a solid starting point to finding the flight option that is best for you, it also includes information on all the major airports in Japan and useful tips and information too.

Airport access

Depending on airport there are different access options. You can usually find the options by looking at the airport website (see below). You will normally find buses that operate between the airport and the closest city.

Narita and Haneda airports are served by Limousine buses that will easily take you to Tokyo and the surrounding areas.

From Narita you can also use the Narita Express (NEX) trains. The subway also operates trains to Narita. Taking a cab is also an option although for Narita this could be a very expensive as the airport is over an hour from central Tokyo.

If you are carrying a lot of baggage it could be convenient to have the baggage delivered to your accommodation in Japan or when travelling from Japan – delivered directly to the airport. At Narita airport you can find Baggage Delivery Service at both terminal 1 and 2 with charges from around 2000 yen per suitcase to addresses throughout the Kanto region.

Take Flight

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International travel

Travelling abroad from Japan can be expensive especially during high season when most prices double. Comparing travel agencies offers as well as flight fares is recommended as there are many ways to save money.

If you are prepared for long transfer times and flying through multiple destinations to get to your final destination you can usually cut down quite a lot on the costs at the expense of convenience. Although there are a number of websites providing information reservations are usually made by phone or at local branch offices in Japan.

Domestic travel

Travelling domestic in Japan can also be quite expensive especially during high season such as Golden Week and over the New Year Holidays. Package deals and including travel, accommodation and even car rental usually save money when compared to separate bookings.

Shinkansen and flying are fast and convenient ways of travelling but can be very expensive. A cheaper alternative is to use buses that stop at a number of destinations throughout Japan. Going from Tokyo to Osaka by night-bus for example costs from 4100 yen.

Since the launch of one basic fare on toll roads when using ETC-card in the car discount tickets for rail and air travel is being offered by many companies to attract customers.

Tips on Flying

Prices can vary greatly depending on the time of year. If you can, try to fly outside the peak seasons, such as Golden Week (end of April – beginning of May), the summer holidays (late July – August), Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
If you are traveling to Japan for only a short time, consider purchasing a special package tour from a travel agency. You may be able to get a good deal that includes your hotel stay and meals and save money over normal round-trip flights.
If you are visiting Japan as a tourist and plan to travel around buying a Japan Rail Way Pass, to use for unlimited rail travel in Japan during a fixed time period, could save you a lot of money. But remember to buy it before departing to Japan as it is not available for purchase inside Japans borders.
If you are flying domestic with a Japanese airline you are well advise to bring something to eat or eat at the departure lobby before boarding as no food will be served or available for purchase for domestic travel (not even for longer flights).

Dealing with jet lag

When flying through different time zones the body can face difficulties adjusting to the new time zones which leads to jet lag. The longer journey and the more time zones crossed the greater effect of jet lag will be experienced. Most people experience little or no jet lag at all when crossing less than three time zones. The typical symptoms of jet lag are insomnia, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, disorientation, irritability, and digestive disorders.

To limit the effects of jet lag remember to drink plenty of water continuously throughout the flight to avoid dehydration. After arriving to your destination after a long flight it is tempting to immediately go to bed and rest. However, to avoid jet lag, it is best to stay awake during the day and if possible spend time outside (sunlight will help the body to adjust to the new time zone).

Major Airports in Japan

Narita Airport (Tokyo)

If you are flying internationally through the Tokyo area, you will most likely be going through Narita. As one of Asia’s major air-traffic hubs, it is known to be user-friendly and relatively easy to get around even if you don’t know Japanese. Keep in mind however, Narita is not actually located in Tokyo, and it will likely take at least an hour to get from the airport to your destination. Fortunately, there are a number of efficient transportation options to get into the city including trains, busses, and taxis. A limousine bus may be your best choice, as they are inexpensive, comfortable, and stop at many key places in the city. If you know your way around the Tokyo Metro system, a train may also be a viable option. A taxi will likely cost you hundreds of dollars to get to your destination and is not recommended as a way of reaching the city.

Narita Airport Official Website [English]: http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/

Kansai Airport (Osaka)

Kansai Airport is another large international hub, primarily serving areas in central Japan such as Kyoto, Kobe, and Osaka. It is unique because the airport itself is located on a man-made island in Osaka Bay, the first of its kind in Japan. As with Narita, travelers utilize the reliable bus and train systems to get them from the airport to their desired location.

Kansai Airport Official Website [English]: http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/english/

Central Japan Airport / Centrair (Nagoya)

Centrair was opened in 2005 to serve Nagoya and surrounding areas in Japan.

Centrair Official Website [English]: http://www.centrair.jp/en/index.html

Fukuoka Airport (Fukuoka)

Fukuoka Airport is located near the northern coast of Kyushu, and is a very convenient option for travel because of it’s direct proximity to most major destinations in the Fukuoka area.

Fukuoka Airport Official Website [English]: http://www.fuk-ab.co.jp/english/

Haneda Airport / Tokyo International (Tokyo)

Tokyo’s second airport is less famous than Narita, but nonetheless very important to people living in Japan. While Narita focuses primarily on international flights connecting Tokyo to the rest of the world, Haneda instead works with domestic flights. Not only is it convenient to Tokyo, Yokohama, and other nearby cities, but it can also offer a great way of getting around Japan for prices sometimes cheaper than the shinkansen bullet trains.

Haneda Airport Official Website [English]: http://www.tokyo-airport-bldg.co.jp/english/index.html