What is the cheapest time to fly to Japan from the US?

January (after the 7th) is the cheapest month, with round trips dropping to $450-$650. Late May through mid-June and September through November are also affordable, running 20-30% below summer prices. Avoid cherry blossom season (late March-April), Golden Week (late April-early May), summer, and year-end holidays.

Is Zipair a good airline for flying to Japan?

Yes. Zipair is owned by Japan Airlines, flies Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and offers fares starting around $259 one-way from Los Angeles. You'll pay extra for bags and food, but even with add-ons, it's typically $300-$600 cheaper than full-service carriers. The seats are comfortable for a budget airline and the premium lie-flat option is a bargain.

Should I fly into Narita or Haneda airport?

Narita is typically $100-$200 cheaper but is 60-90 minutes from central Tokyo by train. Haneda is only 20-30 minutes from the city center. If the fare difference is under $100, Haneda is worth the premium. Budget carriers like Zipair fly to Narita only.

How far in advance should I book flights to Japan?

Book 6-10 weeks (40-75 days) before departure for the best fares. For peak periods like cherry blossom season or summer, book 3-5 months out. Booking too early (6+ months) often locks you into higher prices before airlines release sales.

Can I use credit card points to fly to Japan?

Absolutely, and Japan is one of the best redemptions available. ANA business class costs 75,000-90,000 Amex points round trip for a seat worth $5,000+. In economy, Korean Air charges just 25,000 miles one-way through Chase transfers. A single credit card sign-up bonus can cover an economy round trip.

How to Find Cheap Flights to Japan

The Quick Answer

You can fly to Japan from the US for $500-$700 round trip by booking Zipair (JAL's budget carrier), flying in off-peak months (January, late May, September-November), and booking 6-10 weeks before departure. West Coast travelers have the most options and lowest fares, but East Coast flyers can find deals too with the right strategy.

Zipair: The Budget Airline Game Changer

Zipair is the single most important thing to know about for cheap Japan flights. It's a low-cost carrier owned by Japan Airlines (JAL), and it's slashed fares on US-Japan routes.

Routes and Pricing

Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo Narita: From $259 one-way
San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo Narita: From $290 one-way
San Jose (SJC) to Tokyo Narita: From $336 one-way, ~$570 round trip
Houston (IAH) to Tokyo Narita: Service launched recently
Orlando (MCO) to Tokyo Narita: New direct service launching, expected fares under $400 one-way

What to Know About Zipair

Book directly: Zipair flights aren't available on OTAs like Expedia or Kayak. You must book at zipair.net.
Bags cost extra: Two free carry-on bags, but checked luggage is $59 for a 50-pound bag on US-Tokyo routes.
No free meals: Bring your own food or buy on board.
Seats are decent: Despite being budget, the seats have reasonable legroom. Premium lie-flat seats are available for under $1,000 one-way, which is a fraction of what ANA or JAL charge for business class.
Boeing 787 Dreamliners: Not a cramped regional jet. These are wide-body aircraft designed for long-haul comfort.

Even with bag fees and meals added, Zipair typically saves $300-$600 compared to full-service carriers on the same route.

When to Fly for the Cheapest Fares

Cheapest Months

January (after the 7th): Fares plummet after New Year's. Round trips from the US drop to $450-$650 compared to $800-$1,200 during peak season. Japan is cold but uncrowded, and winter illuminations are stunning.
Late May through mid-June: The brief window after Golden Week (early May) and before summer crowds. Great weather, reasonable prices.
September through November: Autumn in Japan is spectacular. Fall foliage rivals New England, and fares are 20-30% below summer prices. October is the sweet spot.

Most Expensive Times

Cherry blossom season (late March-early April): Everyone wants to see the sakura. Fares spike 40-60%.
Golden Week (late April-early May): Japan's biggest holiday week. Domestic travel explodes and international fares climb.
Summer (July-August): Peak tourist season with peak pricing.
Year-end holidays (mid-December through early January): Japanese travelers head home, international visitors pile in. Fares skyrocket.

Best Days to Fly

Tuesday and Monday departures are the cheapest. Saturday is the most expensive. A mid-week departure can save $50-$150 on the same route.

Best Booking Window

The sweet spot for Japan flights is 6-10 weeks (40-75 days) before departure. This is when airlines start adjusting prices to fill remaining seats. Booking too early (6+ months out) locks you into higher prices before sales are released. Booking last-minute almost always costs more for transpacific routes.

For peak travel periods (cherry blossom season, summer, holidays), book 3-5 months out to guarantee availability. Cheap seats sell out fast during these windows.

The Hub City Hack

Instead of booking a direct flight to Tokyo, search for flights to nearby Asian hub cities where competition drives prices lower. Seoul, Taipei, Shanghai, and Hong Kong often have cheaper fares from the US than Tokyo.

Once you're at the hub, book a separate budget airline flight to Tokyo for $50-$150. Airlines like Peach Aviation, Jeju Air, and Spring Airlines run cheap intra-Asia routes constantly.

Example: New York to Seoul for $450 round trip + Seoul to Tokyo on a budget carrier for $80 round trip = $530 total vs. $900+ for New York to Tokyo direct.

This adds travel time and requires a separate booking, so it's not for everyone. But the savings can be substantial.

Which Airport: Narita vs. Haneda

Tokyo has two airports, and the price difference matters.

Narita (NRT): Farther from central Tokyo (60-90 minutes by train) but typically $100-$200 cheaper for flights from the US. Budget carriers like Zipair fly here. The Narita Express train to Tokyo Station costs about $30.
Haneda (HND): Much closer to central Tokyo (20-30 minutes by train) and more convenient, but flights are pricier. If the fare difference is under $100, Haneda is worth the premium for the time savings.

If you're arriving jet-lagged at 4 PM, Haneda's convenience is valuable. If you're arriving at midnight and heading straight to a hotel near the airport, Narita is fine and cheaper.

Full-Service Airlines Worth Checking

Budget carriers aren't for everyone. If you want meals, bags, and comfort included, these airlines frequently offer competitive fares to Japan:

ANA (All Nippon Airways): Japan's largest airline with excellent service. Watch for sales dropping round trips to $600-$800 from the West Coast.
JAL (Japan Airlines): Similar quality to ANA with slightly different route networks. Both are in the top tier of global airlines.
Korean Air: Often cheaper than Japanese carriers, connecting through Seoul. Excellent service and the connection adds only 2-3 hours.
China Airlines / EVA Air: Connecting through Taipei. Competitive pricing and both have good reputations.
United Airlines: The most US-Japan nonstop routes of any American carrier. Star Alliance partner with ANA, so you can mix and match.

Using Points and Miles for Japan

Japan is one of the best premium cabin redemptions in the world. If you're going to use points for any trip, this is the one.

ANA Mileage Club: 75,000-90,000 miles for business class round trip to Japan. Transfer from Amex Membership Rewards. This is widely considered the best business class redemption available.
United MileagePlus: 35,000-40,000 miles one-way in economy. Transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Korean Air SkyPass: 25,000 miles one-way in economy through Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: Book ANA business class for 90,000-120,000 points round trip. Transfer from Chase, Amex, or Capital One.

A single credit card sign-up bonus (60,000-80,000 points) can cover an economy round trip to Japan or get you halfway to a business class ticket worth $5,000+.

Search Tools for Japan Flights

Google Flights: Best for comparing dates and tracking prices across full-service carriers.
Zipair.net: Must check directly since Zipair doesn't appear on aggregator sites.
Skyscanner: Good for finding creative routings through Asian hubs.
Going.com: Their Japan deals are excellent. Sub-$500 round trips from the West Coast pop up regularly.
Momondo: Sometimes surfaces lower fares through smaller OTAs.

Set up price alerts on Google Flights for your preferred routes and dates. Fare drops of $100-$200 happen randomly and the alerts let you pounce immediately.

Budget Tips Once You're in Japan

Getting there cheaply is half the battle. Japan can be affordable once you arrive if you plan smart. The Japan Rail Pass (for tourists only) covers unlimited bullet train travel for 7, 14, or 21 days. If you're visiting multiple cities, this pass saves hundreds compared to buying individual tickets. Domestic budget airlines like Peach, Jetstar Japan, and Spring Japan connect major cities for $30-$80 one-way.