If you’re travelling to Japan soon AND are thinking of exploring cities outside of Tokyo you NEED to know about this free domestic flights Japan travel update
Did you know that Japan Airlines is offering FREE domestic flights to international visitors from thirteen countries?
Im Steve from the phatlifeproject and in this video I am gonna be covering absolutely everything you need to know about this offer and so lets do this!
Why?
And if you’re anything like me the first question you’re gonna have is why are you offering free Japan flights this Japan Airlines? What’s the catch?
Well one of the major reasons for this is they want to encourage international travellers to explore other cities in Japan aside from the ever popular Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto
And I think is a great idea due to the ever rising Japan tourism numbers in
By the way this article is just an excerpt of my youtube video which you can watch here, dont forget to subscribe for more useful travel content like this
Who is Eligible?
But not everybody can take up this offer, in fact as of the writing of this video only thirteen countries are eligible
Those countries include the US, Canada, Mexico, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, China, Taiwan AND Australia and New Zealand
Not to worry though if your country not listed as Japan Airlines has promised that this is not the final list, more countries will be added over time
How to Book?
Ok so if you’re from one of the eligible countries the next thing you’re gonna wanna know is how do you book this free domestic flights in Japan ?
The first most important thing you need to know is you will need to be flying Japan Airlines AND you will need to book your international and domestic sections of the flight within the same booking
To do this you will need to select the multi city tab on the Japan Airlines website
And yes that unfortunately means that if you’ve already purchased your international flight tickets you are not eligible for this offer
Free Flights in Japan - Promotion Restrictions + FAQs
That leads quite nicely into this next section – promotion terms and conditions
Like any promotion there are bound to be some and so lets go through them
By the way if you are getting some value in this video so far do know that I frequently upload travel guides just like this one that helps you plan your travel to not only Japan but also other cities around the world more effectively so if that is your vibe I definitely recommend subscribing and joining my still small but intimate PHAT family
Coming back to the promotions terms and conditions lets start with the fact that the free domestic flight ticket in this offer is only ONE way
Yes yes I know, but still every saving counts when you’re travelling and if you’re travelling in a group and especially as a family then saving can really add up
The second thing you’re gonna wanna know only the first domestic flight you’re booking will be free
So for example if you’re flying in from Singapore into Haneda Airport in Tokyo before heading off to Sapporo followed by Toyoma city the flight segment that will be free is the one from Tokyo to Sapporo
The next thing you need to know is that a stopover fee is applicable for visitors from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and China
The fee is a 100 US dollars if you’re from the US, Canada and Mexico and 300 Chinese Renminbi if you’re from China
What is a stopover fee I hear you say? This fee applies if you plan to stay at your first destination in Japan for over 24 hours
So using the same example from earlier if lets say I plan to stay in Tokyo for a few days before I head off to Sapporo AND im from one of these countries then I will need to pay the stopover fee
But if I head off to Sapporo within 24 hours of landing in Tokyo then I will not need to pay this stopover fee
And just in case its not clear the other 9 countries on the list do not need to pay this stopover fee, so using the same example again, if im from any one of these countries I do not need to pay any stopover free whether I choose to stay in Tokyo for a few days or head to Sapporo directly
You also need to know that whilst the ticket is free you will still need to pay the associated taxes
This next one isn’t so much a terms and conditions but a benefit of booking your international and domestic flight within the same booking and it has to do with baggage allowance
The international baggage allowance as you can see here are 2 luggages weighing 23 kgs each if you’re in economy or premium economy and 3 bags weighing 32 kgs each if you’re flying business or first class
The domestic luggage allowance is lower, as you can see here only a max off 20 kgs is allowed if you’re in economy or premium economy and 45 kgs if you’re in business or first class
HOWEVER if you are connecting to a domestic flight from an international flight which you will be when taking up this offer then the international baggage allowance rules apply to you even when you’re flying on the domestic routes (I double checked on their official website here)
Where does Japan Airlines Fly To?
If you’re now thinking that this sounds like a fantastic offer but have honestly no idea where to go apart from Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, I hear you and I got you!
Japan has many fantastic cities to explore, Japan Airlines flies to 58 cities in Japan, and so if you’re looking for ideas here are some suggestions
Sapporo
Lets start with the Sapporo, it is a fantastic choice for a few reasons the most obvious one being its beer culture, yes thats right Sapporo is home to one of Japan’s oldest breweries. You can visit the Sapporo Beer Museum, as well as enjoy a tasting, and savor Sapporo beer in local izakayas.
While you’re drinking beer dont forget about the food, one thing that is a must try here is the Sapporo style miso ramen
Hiroshima
Another city worth considering is Hiroshima which is known for its poignant history and beautiful memorials. The Peace Memorial Park and Museum in particular provide insight into the atomic bombing, while the nearby island of Miyajima accessible from the mainland by ferry at Miyajimaguchi Station offers stunning views and the famous “floating” torii gate.
Kobe
And if you love wagyu beef you must also check out Kobe Japan to eat Kobe Beef! Imagine going to a city where every single steakhouse is going to be serving you highly quality versions of Kobe
While you’re there dont forget to also check out Kobe’s Nankinmachi, or Chinatown, is one of the largest in Japan. It’s filled with shops, restaurants, and street food stalls, offering a lively atmosphere and delicious Chinese cuisine.
Kobe is also part of the Hyogo Prefecture, known for its high-quality sake so be sure to visit local breweries in the nearby Nada district to learn about the sake-making process as well as sample different varieties.
Outro
There are of course other things to consider before your upcoming Japan trip which is why I have previously done a Japan first timers guide in which where I talk about everything I learnt through research before my trip and also what I had to learn the hard way whilst I was there
Definitely watch it so you dont end up making the same mistakes as I did
Ive linked that here so you can go check that out!
If you have more questions, do check out the rest of my content on Youtube, Instagram and TikTok or send me a DM there!
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Lastly, watch this space for more PHAT updates on Japan!
