Special fares and air passes for foreign visitors

JAL (and oneworld) and ANA (and Star Alliance) each offer special fares and air passes for exclusive use by foreign visitors to Japan, which enable holders to fly anywhere within Japan for somewhat over 10,000 yen per flight (also referred to as "sector"). This is a very competitive price on many domestic routes, especially on longer flights, such as flights from Tokyo to Kyushu, Okinawa or Hokkaido.

Like the Japan Rail Pass, some of the air passes have to be purchased outside of Japan and before you leave for Japan. They can only be used by non-residents of Japan who arrive to and depart from Japan by an international flight. Some offers are not available during certain blackout periods, which are typically the New Year holidays, the second half of March and the summer holidays.

Below are the fares and air passes in more detail:

* not including taxes and surcharges of a few hundred yen

 
Advance Purchase Discounts

The single most effective way to get low rates on domestic flights in Japan is to purchase as early as possible. Most airlines start selling their flights from two months in advance (details vary between airlines) and offer particularly large discounts when booked at least 45, 35 or 28 days in advance. Many airlines also offer discounts on bookings made seven, three or one day ahead of travel date.

The biggest discounts are offered on popular routes on which competition is high. Most discounts are available for just a limited number of seats on each flight and may sell out quickly. They are often tied to high service fees for ticket modification and cancellation. Some of the discounts are reduced or unavailable during peak travel seasons. Online bookings are possible on each airline's website, but note that some airlines do not maintain English websites.

 
Budget Airlines

Budget airlines, such as Skymark Airlines and Air Do, offer many of the same types of discounts as JAL and ANA, but prices are typically at least 20 percent lower. The entry of genuine low cost carriers, such as Peach Aviation, in 2012 has lowered the fares of budget airlines even more:

Skymark Airlines

Network:    Fares:    Service/Luggage:    English Online Reservations: available

Skymark has the most extensive route network among the discount airlines in Japan, and is still rapidly expanding. It operates inexpensive flights from its main bases in Tokyo-Haneda and Kobe to destinations nationwide. The airline maintains a certain level of services at the airport as well as a quite moderate luggage policy, but reduces its on-board service to a minimum. It offers an easy-to-use English website.

Peach Aviation

Network:    Fares:    Service/Luggage:    English Online Reservations: available

Peach started operation in spring 2012 as Japan's first genuine low cost carrier, introducing fare levels not seen in Japan before. The airline is based in Osaka's Kansai Airport and operates on a small but increasing number of domestic routes and a few international routes to nearby Asian destinations. It maintains strict luggage policies and keeps services to a bare minimum, although paid drinks and snacks are available on board. Beware of hidden fees.

Jetstar Japan

Network:    Fares:    Service/Luggage:    English Online Reservations: available

Operating since summer 2012, Jetstar Japan flies from Tokyo's Narita Airport, Osaka's Kansai Airport and Nagoya's Central Japan Airport to a small but increasing number of domestic destinations. International routes to nearby Asian destinations are also planned. Jetstar's luggage policy is strict, and services are limited, although paid drinks and snacks are available on board. Beware of hidden fees.

Air Asia Japan

Network:    Fares:    Service/Luggage:    English Online Reservations: available

Also operating since summer 2012, Air Asia Japan flies from Tokyo's Narita Airport and Nagoya's Central Japan Airport to a small but increasing number of domestic and nearby international destinations. Air Asia's policies are very strict, and services stripped to the bare minimum, although paid drinks and meals are served on board. Beware of hidden fees.

Air Do

Network:    Fares:    Service/Luggage:    English Online Reservations: not available

Air Do operates inexpensive flights from Tokyo's Haneda Airport to various destinations in Hokkaido, and from Sapporo to multiple secondary airports across Honshu. A relatively generous baggage allowance and a certain service level are maintained, including complementary drinks.

Starflyer

Network:    Fares:    Service/Luggage:    English Online Reservations: not available

Starflyer started operation in 2006 and offers inexpensive flights from Tokyo's Haneda Airport to Fukuoka and Kitakyushu on Kyushu and Osaka's Kansai Airport. It also flies to Busan. Starflyer offers not only inexpensive fares, but also a comfort level that exceeds that of conventional airlines, by offering complementary drinks and an on-demand video system for every passenger. A relatively generous baggage allowance is maintained.

Solaseed Air (formerly known as Skynet Asia Airways)

Network:    Fares:    Service/Luggage:    English Online Reservations: not available

Solaseed Air operates inexpensive flights from Tokyo's Haneda Airport to various cities on Kyushu, and from these Kyushu airports to Okinawa. A relatively generous baggage allowance and a certain service level are maintained, including complementary drinks.

 
Avoiding Peak Travel Periods

Many of the discount fares are less attractive or unavailable during peak travel periods such as the New Year holidays (late December to early January), the spring school holidays (second half of March and early April), Golden Week (late April to early May) and the summer holidays (mid July through August, especially Obon in mid August). Furthermore, fares on many routes are somewhat higher from Friday to Sunday than during the rest of the week.

 
Round-trip Discounts

Domestic flights in Japan are priced and sold in one-way sectors rather than round-trips. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer small discounts on round trips. However, since only one type of discount can be applied per flight and other discounts (especially advance purchase discounts) are usually better priced, round-trip discounts are often not the most attractive option.

 
Early morning and late night flights

The fares of some of the early morning and late night flights are typically around 10-20 percent lower.

 
Typical one way fares for selected routes

Budget Travel

International Air Travel
Domestic Air Travel
Discount Air Tickets