If you’re dreaming of wandering the vibrant streets of Tokyo or exploring the grounds of ancient temples in Kyoto but are worried about the high cost of travel to Japan, there’s good news: affordable flights to Japan do exist. This guide is packed with savvy tips, from airline choices to flight search hacks, so you can make that dream trip a reality and save some money along the way.

There are upwards of 20 airlines that fly to Japan, and many of them have direct flights from West Coast airports like Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco. With so many options, how do you even begin to choose which one to fly? Let’s look at some that we think should definitely be on your radar. 

First, we have to highlight two of Japan’s own airlines: ANA (All Nippon Airways) and Japan Airlines (JAL). They’re known for their service, comfort, and hospitality across all cabin classes and have some of the highest-rated cabins in the world, with travelers praising them for excellent cuisine, cutting-edge design, and attentive Japanese hospitality. JAL was even named World's Best Economy Class by Skytrax in 2023 and World's Best Economy Class Airline Seat in 2024 and 2025. So if you’re looking for a premium experience in economy, JAL is worth exploring. 

Another Japanese airline, ZIPAIR, is a low-cost carrier that charges separately for various amenities, like checked luggage and seat selection, to help keep ticket prices low. This makes ZIPAIR a great option if you’re a no-frills traveler who packs light, though don’t forget to save space or splurge for checked bags if you want to bring back some souvenirs.

Make sure you keep Singapore Airlines on your radar too. It’s consistently ranked among the top airlines globally, having achieved the World's Best Airline title five times (most recently in 2023), and in 2025 was named World's Best Cabin Crew by Skytrax.

But if you’ve got a favorite US airline that you’d prefer to fly with, you don't have to switch carriers to find plenty of affordable, nonstop flights to Japan. Keep an eye out for deals from American, United, and Delta out of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.

Your best bet is to start your search with Tokyo’s Narita Airport. Since it's the most popular international gateway to Japan and handles the most international traffic, you'll find tons of airlines flying there. All that competition means more choices and better deals for your wallet. But as always, flexibility can translate to more savings. When you do a flight search on Skyscanner, select “Add nearby airports” and we’ll include Tokyo Haneda Airport as well. The cheapest airfare to Japan may have you flying into Narita and out of Haneda. 

But if Tokyo isn’t on your travel itinerary and Osaka, Kyoto, or Kobe are, Osaka Kansai International may be a better arrival airport, allowing you to skip the domestic hop from Tokyo to your first destination.

While Japanese trains are usually the best way to travel within the country, they aren’t the end-all-be-all. For particularly long journeys, like from Fukuoka to Tokyo, or if you need to go somewhere the Shinkansen bullet train doesn’t yet operate, a flight may be your only realistic option. ANA and JAL both offer discounted domestic flight deals that may not hit your wallet too hard.

Start your flight search right here on Skyscanner. We’ve got a variety of tools that will help you compare flights quickly and narrow down the best options for your trip. 

Did you know you can check flights into every airport in Japan at once? In the destination field, just type Japan instead of a specific city and can you compare airfare for every airport (and nearby hotels) in the country — seriously! But if you already know there’s a specific city you want to fly into, don’t forget to check the box for “Add nearby airports” so we can scan all options and show you the best route options at the lowest prices. 

If you’re still trying to determine the best dates or just want to fly when it’s cheapest to travel, use Skyscanner’s Whole Month search. Just select “Flexible dates” for your departure and return to see which months airfare is at its lowest. Once you select a month to search, we drill down further to show you the cheapest days to fly within that month.

Once you’ve found your perfect dates, you can lock in your flight immediately. But if you need more time to think or want to see if the price drops, Skyscanner's Price Alerts can help. Just tap the bell icon and we’ll notify you as soon as airfare changes so you can book affordable flights to Japan without having to refresh your browser every day.

Final thoughts: Finding cheap airfare to Japan 

So there you have it: your bucket list trip to Japan is officially within reach! By choosing the right airline for your travel style and using savvy search tools on Skyscanner, you can easily find an affordable flight that leaves you with more money for exploring. Now that you’ve got all the tips and hacks, it’s time to start your search and book that trip to Japan.