Japan Planning Thread 3

[Takoneko]

Hi!

This is a new Japan Planning Thread for when our last one is full.

Feel free to ask any questions here related to travel in Japan, regardless of budget or style of trip.

I've had a good read of these great threads. Really helpful.

Flights look quite expensive for April 2027 so it's putting me off but maybe that's just the price. Around £1800

Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.

We are a family of 5 so would need accomodation options to suit our larger family. Probably looking at golden route type locations.

@sparkle17 Flights in late March and early April are pretty eye watering. £1800pp is broadly in line with what we’ve typically paid for Easter, even before the Iran war and fuel surcharges kicked in. We fly JAL, sometimes with a connection in Helsinki if it saves us a chunk of money, as long as the long-haul leg is operated by JAL. They are at the more expensive end of the spectrum, but on a 14 hour flight I really appreciate their wider seats.

The cheapest options are usually via China, but I’ve never taken that option personally.

Accommodation is reasonable. Eating out, attractions and day to day costs are very cheap. You can get a decent meal out for under £10 and there’s no tipping on top.

Hoping everyone is ok with news of the earthquake in Kyushu 😳

There’s been a huge earthquake in Kumamoto prefecture today. The most severe since the Noto earthquake.

I hope that anyone currently travelling in Kyushu is safe and well.

The damage looks really very bad.

Me too. It looks really bad.

April will always be expensive as that is a very popular time to visit Japan. The cherry blossom season goes from March to May and then 'Golden Week' at the end of April when the whole country is basically on holiday.

Direct flights are going to be about that much but you will find indirect flights a lot cheaper.

Just checking today on flights leaving the first week in April and returning seven days later there are any number of flights from London to Tokyo for £800 to £1,000.

For example, Lufthansa from London to Tokyo with a two hour stopover in Frankfurt £986.

Or Asiana Airlines with a 2 1/2 hour stopover in Seoul, South Korea for £800.

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Prices are a bit cheaper at the end of April. For example, a direct flight with BA leaving 24th April and returning 1st May is currently £1,228

The same applies with indirect fares as well.

For example, Air China with a 4 hour stopover in Shanghai for £637

Or Cathay Pacific with a 1 1/2 hour stopover in Hong Kong for £862