If you are planning to travel a long distance in Japan, or to a location not serviced by the shinkansen bullet train, you may want to consider booking a domestic flight. Although the country has a deserved reputation for state-of-the-art train travel, flying can sometimes be cheaper and faster than going by rail. Japan’s domestic airports and terminals are super chill too!
Skymark Airlines
Skymark was Japan’s first low-cost airline. That said, when I boarded my Skymark Airlines flight for a short trip to Fukuoka from Tokyo, I was shocked by just how wide the economy seats were. Initially, I thought they were business class seats, so I just kept walking until the back of the plane!
Considering the affordability of Skymark flights (relative to other carriers like JAL or ANA), I was very impressed by the comfortable armrests and legroom, as well as the complimentary in-flight candies and beverages. Skymark Airlines also includes one checked bag (up to 20 kilograms) per ticket, which is very convenient. I didn’t see any compromises made in the quality of service either, with the cabin attendants accommodating each customer’s needs with a warm smile.
Skymark only operates domestic flights, so it might not be on international travelers’ radar at first. But if you’re looking for an affordable and comfortable domestic flight to your next destination in Japan, I highly recommend checking out Skymark Airlines.
Other domestic flight options
In addition to Skymark, Japan has many other domestic airlines to choose from.
Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) are Japan’s largest carriers and have extensive international networks alongside their domestic ones. Both airlines service roughly 30 to 40 domestic destinations with flights from Tokyo. On the flip side, JAL and ANA may not be the cheapest options.
Other carriers with domestic networks include AIRDO (service to Hokkaido), Solaseed Air (service to Kyushu and Okinawa), Peach Aviation (a low-cost option), and Jetstar (also low-cost). IBEX Airlines is another interesting one, as this Sendai-based carrier connects regional hubs to each other without servicing Tokyo.
Which is more convenient, air or rail travel?
Japan’s rail network certainly deserves its reputation for efficiency and convenience. If you are traveling between hub cities in Honshu, Japan’s main island, rail travel often gives you both speed and greater flexibility with regard to departure time and the ability to change your plans at the last minute. What’s more, traveling by rail will often drop you off in the city center, whereas air travel rarely will — shoutout to conveniently located Fukuoka Airport, the exception.
Sample itinerary: Tokyo → Osaka
| Transport | Travel Time | Approximate Cost |
| Shinkansen | 2.5 hours | Roughly 14,000 yen |
| Flight | 1-hour flight and travel time to/from airport | Roughly 7,500–20,000 yen |
Verdict: Shinkansen takes it for convenience.
Sometimes deciding between air or rail travel is much of a muchness and comes down to personal preference, such as when traveling between Tokyo and Hiroshima. While it’s a four-hour schlep (and not a cheap one either) one-way on the shinkansen, the comparatively short 1.5-hour flight is offset by Hiroshima Airport’s remote location and the buffer time needed for air travel in general. I always opted for the shinkansen for this one, unless I was connecting to another flight, but you may feel differently!
Of course, flying is clearly the best option sometimes. It’s much faster and cheaper to fly from Tokyo to Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku, and Okinawa (seriously, some of these are no-brainers). In addition, some locations in Honshu not serviced by the shinkansen — such as Tottori and Shimane prefectures — will also be easier to access via the air than via a combo of shinkansen and limited express or local trains.
Sample itinerary: Tokyo → Sapporo
| Transport | Travel Time | Approximate Cost |
| Shinkansen + Limited express train | About 8 hours | Roughly 30,000 yen |
| Flight | About 1.5 hours | Roughly 10,000–30,000 yen |
Verdict: No contest — book that flight!!
Sample itinerary: Tokyo → Fukuoka
| Transport | Travel Time | Approximate Cost |
| Shinkansen | About 5 hours | Roughly 23,000 yen |
| Flight | About 2 hours | Roughly 10,000–25,000 yen |
Verdict: Even considering additional travel time to/from airports, flying probably takes the cake.
FAQ
- Is flying or taking the shinkansen better for traveling around Japan?
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That depends on where you’re traveling from and where you’re going! For many trips, flying and taking the shinkansen may be comparable in terms of travel time and price, so it’s up to your preference. However, long-distance travel or travel to more remote locations may tip the scales in favor of flying.
- Which Japanese cities are better to fly to than take the shinkansen?
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If you are traveling from Tokyo, flying definitely makes the most sense for distant cities like Sapporo and Fukuoka (likewise for other locations in Hokkaido and Kyushu). For shorter trips like Kyoto and Osaka, traveling by shinkansen is definitely more straightforward.
If you are traveling to a more remote location without direct shinkansen service, check whether there is a direct flight there — it may be simpler, quicker, and cheaper than taking the train.
- Is flying cheaper than the shinkansen in Japan?
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It certainly can be, especially for long-distance travel! That said, flight prices can vary significantly by time, date (both the date of the flight and the date you book), airline, and how flexible the ticket is — whereas shinkansen prices are generally set. When planning travel within Japan, check both train and flight prices before making a final decision. You might score a great deal!
- Which airlines fly domestically in Japan?
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Japan Airlines (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA), Skymark Airlines, AIRDO, Solaseed Air, Peach Aviation, and Jetstar are some of the major carriers flying domestically. JAL and ANA have some of the widest networks (and fly internationally too), while others may be more regional and/or connect specific regions with Japan’s major cities.
- What are the cheapest airlines for domestic flights in Japan?
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Peach, Jetstar, and Skymark are among the cheapest airlines for domestic flights.
- How early should I arrive at the airport for a domestic flight in Japan?
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For a domestic flight, generally plan to arrive roughly one hour prior to the departure time. Check-in and security are often quite speedy (especially if you do online check-in ahead of time or don’t plan to check any luggage), but of course, flights board earlier than their departure time, so you don’t want to cut it too close.