Domestic Air travel in Japan

Domestic Air travel in Japan

With some 90 airports serving domestic and overseas flights, getting to Japan is highly convenient. Japan is covered by an extensive domestic air network, which is served by All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Airlines (JAL) and Japan Air Systems (JAS), together with a number of smaller carriers. However, due to the integration of JAL and JAS in October 2002, an industry mainly consisting of two major groups has been established. Besides these major company groups, Skymark Airlines (SKY) and Hokkaido International Airlines (ADO) launched into domestic air transport in 1998, and Skynet Asia Airways participated in 2002.

Domestic air travel in Japan can be a practical alternative to rail travel, particularly on longer journeys or on routes that are not covered by Japan's vast network of high-speed trains. For visitors who don't have a Japan Rail Pass and who are planning a number of longer journeys during their stay, domestic airfares often compare favorably. There are also a variety of discounts available to help make flying within Japan even better. Domestic air travel in Japan is also preferred when you are on a tight schedule.

Domestic Airlines in Japan

The major domestic airlines in Japan include:

  -   JAL Group (Japan Airlines)
  -   ANA Group (All Nippon Airways)
  -   Skymark
  -   Air Do
  -   Skynet Asia Airways
  -   IBEX Airlines
  -   Starflyer

Domestic Airport Access in Japan

Visitors, who intend to connect to a domestic flight, may arrive in Japan at Narita Airport (Tokyo) and transfer to Haneda Airport in south Tokyo. Transportation between Narita and Haneda is very convenient as the airports are about two hours apart.

Flight reservations for domestic air travel in Japan can be made by contacting the airlines directly, or through your travel agent or tour operator.

Domestic Airports in Japan

There are many domestic airports in Japan and the airfare will often be competitive with the equivalent journey by bullet train. The major domestic airports in Japan include:

  -   Tokyo's Haneda Airport - Japan's busiest airport
  -   Tokyo's Narita Airport - handling only a very small number of domestic flights.
  -   Osaka's Kansai Airport
  -   Itami Airport - Japan's second busiest hub for domestic air traffic.
  -   Nagoya's Central Japan Airport
  -   Fukuoka Airport
  -   Sapporo's Shin-Chirose Airport
  -   Kobe Airport
  -   Okinawa's Naha Airport

When it comes to domestic air travel in Japan you can get up to 50% off by booking a flight a month in advance so plan ahead. You will also need to use a Japanese travel agent as the English language travel agents do not deal in domestic flights.

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