Flying to Japan: Best Airports, Airlines, Routes & Budget Tips

Which Tokyo airport is better—Haneda or Narita? What are the top airlines for flights to Japan? How do you find the cheapest tickets? Read on for the ultimate guide to flying to Japan.

[Japan Airlines plane at Narita International Airport — image © hans-johnson / CC BY-ND 2.0 DEED]

Quick Takeaways

• Tokyo is the most common entry point to Japan.
• Tokyo has two major international airports: Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND).
• Haneda is more convenient and centrally located.
• Narita is a solid option if better fares are available.
• Kansai International Airport (KIX) is a great choice for those heading to Kyoto or Osaka.
• ANA and JAL provide top-tier in-flight service.
• Travelers from North America, Europe, and Oceania can save by transiting via other Asian or Middle Eastern hubs—though it adds complexity.

Which Airport in Japan Should You Choose: Narita, Haneda or Kansai?

[Haneda Airport aka Tokyo International Airport — image © tataquax / CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED]

Most international travelers arrive in Tokyo, serviced by Haneda and Narita Airports. Both offer global connections, while Kansai Airport (KIX) serves western Japan, including Osaka and Kyoto, with direct flights primarily from Asia, and limited service from other continents.

Haneda vs Narita: Which is Better?

[Narita Airport Terminal 1 — image © Kentaro IEMOTO / CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED]

If you’re choosing between Tokyo’s two airports, Haneda is the better option for most travelers. It’s only 15km from the city center—just 25 minutes by train—while Narita is around 57km away, taking up to an hour by rail. A taxi from Haneda to central Tokyo costs about ¥8,500 (~USD $56), compared to ¥25,000 (~USD $164) from Narita.

[Terminal 3 at Haneda Airport — image © GoToVan / CC BY 2.0 DEED]

Haneda also boasts newer terminals, better amenities, and excellent onsite hotels—such as Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport—complete with rooftop hot springs and Mt. Fuji views. Narita is well-managed but lacks in-terminal lodging.

However, if your flight only lands at Narita, it’s still a fine experience with good train connections to Tokyo.

Read more: Arriving at Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport | Arriving at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport

Considering Kansai International Airport?

[Kansai Airport — image © redlegsfan21 / CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED]

Kansai International (KIX) is ideal for travelers focusing on western Japan—Kyoto, Osaka, and beyond. Direct flights from the West include:

• U.S.: San Francisco (United), L.A. (JAL), Honolulu (JAL, ANA, Hawaiian)
• Canada: Vancouver (seasonal, Air Canada)
• Australia: Brisbane, Cairns (Jetstar)
• Europe: Helsinki (Finnair), Amsterdam (KLM), Paris (Air France), Munich (Lufthansa), Istanbul (Turkish)

Kyoto is just 75 minutes away by direct express train.

More details: Arriving at Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Search best fares: Flights to Kansai

Should You Get an Open-Jaw Ticket?

[Shinkansen in the station — image © Takeshi Kuboki / CC BY 2.0 DEED]

Open-jaw tickets let you fly into one city and out from another—e.g., arrive in Tokyo, depart from Osaka. However, with Japan’s lightning-fast shinkansen (Tokyo-Kyoto in just 2h 15m), many travelers stick with round-trip flights for simplicity and cost savings.

Best Airlines for Japan Travel

[Japan Airlines 777 — image © Alan Wilson / CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED]

Whether you’re flying from the US, Canada, Europe, or Australia, Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) consistently offer excellent service. Many travelers also opt for budget-friendly routes via Asia or the Middle East.

From the U.S.

[ANA plane at SFO — image © Bill Abbott / CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED]

Direct flights from major U.S. cities include options with ANA, JAL, United, American, Delta, and Zipair—a budget airline offering roundtrips as low as $500. Also consider Air Canada or connecting via Korea or China for savings.

Find deals: Best US-Japan fares

From Canada

[Air Canada 787 — image © Oliver Holzbauer / CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED]

Direct flights from Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary are available through JAL, ANA, and Air Canada. WestJet also offers seasonal flights from Calgary.

Find deals: Best Canada-Japan fares

From Australia

[Qantas A330 at Narita — image © Alan Wilson / CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED]

Qantas, JAL, ANA, and JetStar operate flights from Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. JetStar often provides the lowest fares. You can also find good deals flying via Southeast Asia.

Find deals: Best Australia-Japan fares

From Europe

[Lufthansa A380 — image © Cityswift / CC BY 2.0 DEED]

Major European airlines fly to Tokyo and some to Kansai. Emirates often offers great fares via Dubai. Other affordable routes transit via Bangkok, Seoul, or Beijing.

Find deals: Best Europe-Japan fares

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