Domestic air travel in Japan is both time-efficient and cheap. Also, it is one of the greatest ways to explore several destinations during your trip to Japan. There are more than 90 airports in the country that are serving both international and domestic flights and have made air travel in the country convenient.

Two national carriers (All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines) dominate domestic air travel in Japan and offer cheap flights for tourists. But, besides these two flights, there are also many other low-cost carrier airlines you can choose from. If you are traveling to Japan and interested in domestic air travel, continue to read!

Best Domestic Airlines Of Japan

Several airline companies are working in the country. So, if you are thinking of domestic air travel in Japan, you can choose any of the one mentioned below:

• All Nippon Airways (ANA Group): The group comprises various smaller groups, including Air Nippon and All Nippon Airways. Nippon Airways covers more than 100 routes in the country and serves at about 50 airports. The paid snacks are available, and a generous baggage allowance is maintained.
• Japan Airlines (JAL Group): The group comprises Japan Airlines and many other smaller airlines, including the Ryukyu Air Commuter, Japan Transocean Air, and many others. The airline serves over 50 airports and 100 domestic routes in the country. The group offers economy-class travel at budget prices and maintains a generous baggage allowance.
• Skymark Airlines: The airlines have an extensive route network in the country. Skymark Airlines operates cheap flights from the main bases in Kobe and Tokyo-Haneda to various destinations in the country. Plus, the airlines maintain a moderate luggage policy, a certain level of services at the airport, and reduce the onboard services to the minimum.
• Jetstar Japan operates the largest domestic network and is included in the low-cost carriers. From the Kansai Airport (Osaka), Narita Airport (Tokyo), and Central Japan Airport (Nagoya), the airline offers many domestic flights besides that. Jetstar Japan also offers a few international flights. However, the luggage policy of Jetstar Japan is strict and services are limited. The paid snacks are available onboard.
• Peach Aviation: The airline started its services in 2012 as one of the first low-cost carriers. Peach Aviation has its main bases in Tokyo's Narita Airport and Osaka's Kansai Airport. The airline serves on many domestic and international routes (nearby Asian countries). It has a strict luggage policy, and paid snacks are available.
• Air Do: The airline offers cheap flights from the Haneda Airport in Tokyo to several destinations in Hokkaido. Besides that, Air Do also provides flights from Sapporo to Osaka and many airports in Honshu. A generous baggage allowance is maintained.
• Starflyer: The airline offers cheap flights around Kitakyushu and other nearby airports, including Yamaguchi and Fukuoka. The airline maintains cheap fares and offers a comfortable journey by offering spacious seats and a generous baggage allowance.
• Solaseed Air: The airline operates cheap flights from Tokyo (Haneda Airport) to many cities. It allows a generous baggage allowance and a specific level of services is maintained.

Why Book Domestic Flights In Japan?

Tourists usually land in Honshu, which is the largest island of Japan. Plus, the capital of Japan, "Tokyo," is also present on the same island. You can also find many other big cities on the same island, including Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya. Honshu is a diverse island, and your visit to Japan will only be complete with exploring the island. In addition to Honshu, you will love to explore many other islands in Japan, including the Shikoku, Kyushu, and tropical islands of Okinawa. So, this is where domestic travel comes into the game.

After the deregulation of the airline industry in Japan, several discounted and low-cost airlines appeared to offer their best services to travelers. Therefore, locals and tourists can now travel around Japan at cheap airfares. Plus, traveling on many routes in Japan via domestic flights will be cheaper than traveling by Shinkansen (bullet train of Japan). Also, you can save your precious time when traveling by air.

Things To Know Before Booking The Japan Domestic Flights

Here are a few things that you must know before booking the domestic flights in Japan:

• Use A Different Website: Remember that Japanese airlines have different websites for international and domestic bookings when booking Japanese domestic flights. But the good part is that you can easily navigate to both sites from the main pages of the airlines. The interfaces of the websites may feel strange. But, the good part is that you can easily get used to the designs of the websites specifically made for the locals. Another plus is that everything will be in English. Also, you can make all your reservations in advance, which will give you peace of mind and convenience.
• Online Check-In Is Confusing: You can check in simultaneously when you book domestic flights in Japan. But, you will need a four-digit code instead of a six-digit PNR number, which an international booking might use. Also, this check-in will not give you a boarding pass, but you will only get a 2D barcode, which you can access for once, and you will have to save it when you generate it. It cannot be confusing for some travelers. Therefore, it is better to check in at airports.
• Prices Will Be Low When You Book In Advance: Many travelers think domestic flights in Japan are expensive, but that is just a misconception. Also, JAL and ANA offer promotional fares a few months or weeks in advance. If you plan to visit Japan, you can also benefit from these offers by booking in advance.

Conclusion:

Once, travelers used to avoid taking flights in Japan, and there is no surprise in that. The country has one of the busiest train stations and air routes. Flight from Tokyo to Sapporo and Tokyo to Fukuoka takes more than 8 million passengers annually. But the good news is that the country has a robust network of airports, making domestic air travel in Japan efficient, convenient, and cheaper now. Therefore, if you are on a budget and want to explore the whole country quickly, take the domestic flights and explore the country like a local!