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Japan Transportation – By Air

Japan has a well-established air transportation system with 4 major international airports to/from the world and many more airports serving with domestic flights. It’s the best way to travel to Japan by air, and the fastest and cost-efficient way to travel around Japan.

International Flights to Japan

Haneda Airport
Haneda Airport, Tokyo


There are 4 international airports operating flights to and from more than 90 cities in the world, especially the East Asia, Southeast Asia, North America and Europe. Narita International Airport (NRT) and Haneda International Airport (HND) are in Tokyo, while Kansai International Airport (KIX) is in Osaka, making Tokyo and Osaka the major hub cities to undertake the air transportation service for oversea tourists coming to Japan. Central Japan Airport (NGO) south of Nagoya, nicknamed as Centrair, is also convenient for oversea tourists to Japan.

Besides, some other airports in Japan operate a few flights to/from neighboring countries and regions. For example, Sapporo New Chitose Airport, Fukuoka Airport and Okinawa Naha Airport have flights to South Korea, Taiwan, mainland China, Singapore, etc.


Route
Departure Airport
Arrival Airport
Duration
Schedule
Los Angeles - Tokyo
Los Angeles International Airport
Narita
11h 5-30min
5-6 flights from Sunday to Thursday;
3 on Fridays & Saturdays
Haneda
11h 20-50min
7 flights every day
Los Angeles - Osaka
Los Angeles International Airport
Kansai
12h
1 fight on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
San Francisco -Tokyo
San Francisco International Airport
Narita
10h 45min – 11h 10min
4 flights every day
Haneda 10h 50min – 11h 5min
3 fights every day
San Francisco - Osaka
San Francisco International Airport
Kansai
11h 40min
1 fight every day
New York - Tokyo
Kennedy International Airport
Haneda
14h – 14h 15min
4 fights every day
Newark Liberty International Airport
Narita / Haneda
13h 40min – 14h
1 flight to both Narita and Haneda airports every day
Seattle - Tokyo
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Narita / Haneda
10h 10min – 11h 10min
1 fight to Narita and 2 flights to Haneda airport every day
Honolulu, Hawaii - Tokyo
Honolulu International Airport
Narita / Haneda
8h 5min – 8h 20min
3-5 flights to Narita airport & 4-6 flights to Haneda airport every day
Honolulu, Hawaii - Osaka
Honolulu International Airport
Kansai
9h
2 flights on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday;
1 fight on Monday & Thursday
Chicago - Tokyo
O'Hare International Airport
Narita / Haneda
12h 50min – 13h 20min
1 flight to Narita & 3 flights to Haneda airport every day
Houston - Tokyo
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Narita / Haneda
13h 50min
1 to Narita & 1 to Haneda every day
Toronto - Tokyo
Pearson International Airport
Narita / Haneda
13h 15min
1 flight to Narita airport & 1 to Haneda airport every day
London - Tokyo
Heathrow Airport
Haneda
13h 35min – 14h 5min
5 flights every day
Paris - Tokyo
Charles de Gaulle Airport
Narita / Haneda
13h 30-45min
3-4 flights to Haneda airport every day;
1 flight to Narita airport on Tuesday, Friday & Sunday
Paris - Osaka
Charles de Gaulle Airport
Kansai
12h 40min
1 flight on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday-Sunday
Sydney - Tokyo
Kingsford Smith Airport
Haneda
9h 35min – 10h 5min
5 flights on weekdays & 4 flights on weekends
Melbourne - Tokyo
Melbourne Airport
Narita
10h – 10h 30min
2 flights on Monday, Wednesday & Saturday;
1 flight on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday
Singapore - Tokyo
Changi Airport
Narita / Haneda
6h 55min – 7h 20min
5 flights to Narita airport & 7 flights to Haneda airport every day
Singapore - Osaka
Changi Airport
Kansai
6h 25-40min
4 flights every day
Singapore - Nagoya
Changi Airport
Central Japan Airport
6h 45min
1 flight every day
Bangkok - Tokyo
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Narita / Haneda
6h 5-25min
7 flights to Narita & 5-6 flights to Haneda every day
Bangkok - Osaka
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Kansai
5h 30min - 6h 5min
6 flights every day


Tips

•  In Tokyo, Haneda Airport is closer to the downtown, which requires 30 minutes or so to reach Tokyo city center by Keikyu Line. From Narita Airport, the fastest Skyliner Express or Narita Express train will take you to the downtown of Tokyo in 47-50 minutes.

•  Tokyo is not the only gateway to enter Japan. For visitors who plan to go to Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima, Fukuoka or other destinations in western Japan, a direct flight to Osaka is the better choice.

•  The metro lines, shuttle buses, taxi and chartered car are available around the airports. You can choose a way most convenient or that you like to the nearby city center or attractions. At Kansai International Airport, the shuttle boat runs to and comes from Kobe Airport. 

•  Central Japan International Airport is around 37km (23 miles) south to Nagoya downtown, on an artificial island at Ise Bay. There is also a special high-speed boat route between the airport and Tsu, the other side of the bay, which takes 45 minutes for a single trip.


Domestic Air Travel in Japan

It is definitely the fastest way travel in Japan by a flight. Air travel in Japan is fast and also economical, with less cost than Shinkansen, the bullet train, for a long trip. Thus, it becomes one of the optimal transportation mode in the country. There are about 90 airports in total around Japan, and the air routes cover the whole territory. Apart from the airports serving for international flights, Osaka International Airport aka Itami Airport (ITM), Fukuoka Airport (FUK), Sapporo New Chitose Airport (CTS), Okinawa Naha Airport (OKA), Kagoshima Airport (KOJ), Sendai Airport (SDJ), etc. are all busy for the domestic flights.
Kansai International Airport
Osaka Kansai International Airport

Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) are the giants in Japan, providing flights throughout Japan at favorable prices. In addition, more airlines like Jetstar Japan, Peach, Skymark Airlines, Air Do, and Spring Airlines Japan operate flights nationwide as well. Given the nature of some budget airlines, they don't necessarily offer some of the convenience of the larger airlines (such as online check-in), and there are limits on the amount of luggage you can take. Please read the regulations carefully before booking a ticket.



Departure / Arrival
Arrival / Departure
Duration
Schedule
Tokyo - Osaka
Haneda / Narita Airport
Kansai / Itami / Kobe Airport
1h 5min – 1h 40min
More than 30 flights every day
Tokyo - Nagoya
Haneda / Narita Airport
Centrair
55min – 1h 20min
4 or 5 flights every day
Tokyo - Hiroshima
Haneda / Narita Airport
Hiroshima Airport
1h 20min – 1h 55min
17 flights every day
Tokyo - Fukuoka
Haneda / Narita Airport
Fukuoka Airport
1h 45min – 2h 15min
More than 60 flights every day
Tokyo - Okinawa
Haneda / Narita Airport
Okinawa Naha Airport
2h 25min – 3h 5min
40 flights or so every day
Tokyo - Sapporo
Haneda / Narita Airport
Sapporo New Chitose Airport
1h 30min – 1h 50min
More than 70 flights every day
Osaka - Fukuoka
Kansai / Itami  Airport
Fukuoka Airport
1h 5-20min
10 flights every day
Osaka - Okinawa
Kansai / Itami / Kobe Airport
Okinawa Naha Airport
2h – 2h 20min
More than 20 flights every day
Osaka - Sendai
Kansai / Itami / Kobe Airport
Sendai Airport
1h 10-35min
15 flights or so every day
Osaka - Sapporo
Kansai / Itami / Kobe Airport
Sapporo New Chitose Airport
1h 50min – 2h
30 flights or so every day
Nagoya - Fukuoka
Centrair
Fukuoka Airport
1h 15-30min
4 or 5 flights every day
Nagoya - Kagoshima
Centrair
Kagoshima Airport
1h 20-30min
4 flights every day
Nagoya - Okinawa
Centrair
Okinawa Naha Airport
2h 5-20min
7-11 flights every day
Nagoya - Sapporo
Centrair
Sapporo New Chitose Airport
1h 40-50min
7-10 flights every day
Fukuoka - Sapporo
Fukuoka Airport
Sapporo New Chitose Airport
2h 20-35min
5 flights every day
Sapporo - Okinawa
Sapporo New Chitose Airport
Okinawa Naha Airport
3h 25-35min
1 flight every day


While air travel is reliable in Japan, typhoons and even volcanic activities can cause delays, especially to the southern Kyushu region. Please watch on the weather forecast during typhoon season and check the website of the corresponding airlines for real-time policies.


Read More:

Is It Cheaper to Fly or Take the Train in Japan

The Best Way to Travel around Japan