Cheapest Time to Fly to Japan: Seasonal Deals & Tips

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By lang

June 18, 2026

Japan has something to see in each season-- whether it is the cherry blossom in the Spring, autumn foliage in September, or snow-capped landscapes in winter.

In this guide, I conclude with the must-see attractions, tips for booking the cheapest flights to Japan, and other savings to travel with less cost. By understanding the cheapest time to fly to Japan, you can plan your trip with lower airfare costs while enjoying Japan's seasonal attractions.

Fly to Japan in Off-Season (January-February & December)

to Kanazawa
to Sendai
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These periods offer the most savings, except for the New Year's period (January-February). Take the chance to explore snow-capped landscapes and experience the Japanese holiday atmosphere at the cheapest time to fly to Japan!

❄️ Winter Season

  • Enjoy Japan's snowscapes and other snow activities
  • Fewer crowds (except for New Year's holidays)
  • Winter illuminations and hot spring resorts
  • Lowest airfare and accommodation fares
Kenroku
Kenroku Garden
Duration: 1-2 hours
Kanazawa
🎁 Start your journey by securing the best flight and hotel bundle today!

Fly to Japan in Peak Season (March-April & July-August)

to Osaka
to Tokyo
to Okinawa
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To find the cheapest time to fly to Japan, you'll want to avoid these two peak seasons:

🌸Blossom Season (March-April)

  • The iconic sakura blooms attract visitors worldwide
  • Hotel and flight prices are high
Osaka
Osaka Castle Park
Duration: 2-3 hours
Osaka

☀️ Summer Season (July-August)

  • Peak travel period
  • Popular beach destinations draw crowds
  • Air and accommodation fares increase
  • Limited availability for last-minute bookings
Ocean
Ocean Expo Park
Duration: 2-3 hours
Okinawa
📅For significant savings on flights and accommodations, also avoid planning around Japanese holidays (check our Japan Public Holidays Guide) when domestic travel peaks and prices surge.
See the Latest Japan Flight Deals!

Fly to Japan in Shoulder Season (May-June & September-November)

to Kamakura
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Even though Shoulder Season is a cheap time to fly, does’t mean there is nothing to see: 

🍁Autumn Foliage Season (September-November)

  • Stunning fall colors
  • More affordable flights
  • Ideal weather for hiking
Tōfuku-ji
Tōfuku-ji Temple
Duration: 2-3 hours
Kyoto

🌼 Things to Do in Late Spring (May-June)

  • Mild, pleasant weather
  • Fewer tourists compared to the cherry blossom season
  • Wisteria blooming
  • Exploring rural landscapes
Hasedera
Hasedera Temple
Duration: 1-2 hours
Nara

May-June is Japan's rainy season (tsuyu). When traveling during this season, pack quick-drying clothes and rain boots, and always carry an umbrella with you.

Don't forget to bring waterproof bags to protect your electronics from moisture. Get your Suica Card for convenient public transportation throughout Japan.

How to Find Cheap Flights to Japan?

Wondering how to secure affordable flights? The following strategies can help you find the cheapest time to fly to Japan.

Book During Off-Peak Seasons

The cheapest time to fly to Japan is January to early February (excluding New Year). Airlines always have lower prices after peak travel periods. Winter offers great flight deals, though some cities like Hokkaido may still busy because of ski tourism. Always check Japan’s Public holidays when planning your trip, as increasing domestic travellers can affect the price of international flights.

📶Stay connected throughout Japan with Trip.com eSIM – instant activation, nationwide coverage, and no SIM card swap needed!

Be Flexible with Travel Dates

Flying mid-week (Tuesday to Thursday) instead of the weekend. Use Trip.com to compare prices across the entire month. For even more flexibility, consider using budget airlines or last-minute deals—check out our Flexible Flights guide for tips on savings.

Use Flight Price Alerts

Set up price alerts on Trip.com to track prices. Be ready to book fast, as good deals disappear quickly. Signing up for Trip.com for early access to promotions.

Trip.com Top Deals

Consider Alternative Routes

Look for budget airlines like Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA), which offer lower prices. Connecting flights through Seoul, Taipei, or Hong Kong might be cheaper than non-stop routes. Always check baggage fees—some airline companies charge extra for checked luggage.

Book Flight + Hotel Packages

Trip.com offers discounted rates when you book your flight and hotel together as a package. Get the best deals with one click!

Cheapest Time to Fly to Japan: Accommodation Savings

🎁 Grab cheap flights to Tokyo and search the best hotels in Tokyo! Just 1 click for unlimited data in Japan! New customers can get up to 8% discounts.✨

Hotels in Tokyo

5 star

Hotel New Otani Tokyo Garden Tower

9.3/10Great842 Reviews
Central Tokyo Tokyo|2.87km from city center
The hotel's location and surroundings are excellent. The only minor inconvenience was having to walk all the way around to access the garden downstairs; I'm not sure if we just missed a more direct entrance. On our second day in Tokyo, we experienced a typhoon with strong winds and heavy rain, but the soundproofing in the room was so good we couldn't hear a thing – it was incredibly quiet. Getting around was also very convenient, as it's close to the subway station, making it easy to reach popular areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ginza.
From$240

Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier

9.1/10Great1367 Reviews
Ginza/Tsukiji Tokyo|0.49km from city center
Highly recommend the Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier in Tokyo! The room offered an amazing view, perfect for enjoying the bustling city lights at night. It's just a few minutes' walk to Shimbashi Station, making it super convenient for getting around and shopping. The sky lobby is quite unique, service communication was smooth, and the room was clean and tidy. Its Ginza location makes shopping and dining effortless. Definitely my top choice for a Tokyo trip.
From$265

Imperial Hotel, Tokyo

9.5/10Amazing2540 Reviews
Ginza/Tsukiji Tokyo|0.66km from city center
I really hope you take a look, I think it might be helpful to you. (Good morning, good afternoon, good evening to you all) (Note: The pictures mainly feature food) This is my third stay at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo (the first 2 times were booked by my mom). (I just turned 15). The hotel changes bedding daily, cleans meticulously, and the service is warm and friendly. The breakfast restaurant offers many options 🤔. Also, there's a Yakiniku restaurant (Jojoen) very close behind the hotel, which is rarely crowded. I've eaten there many times (sometimes even on weekend evenings) and never had to wait for a table. (Was I just lucky?) The pictures I've included are all from the hotel. I haven't included Jojoen, but it's definitely worth a try! P8 shows the signature dish (beef) from the hotel's buffet dinner. The beef is juicy and flavorful, tender but not mushy, and the sauce is the perfect touch. (I thought the potatoes were delicious, and by the way, is that white blob garlic?! It's horseradish!) P4 and P5 show two different main dishes from the Japanese-style breakfast (you can choose porridge instead of rice). (Sometimes the ingredients change; I once encountered a time when there was no salmon, but the taste was still excellent) 🤔. Oh, and the pancakes are absolutely amazing! So good I forgot to take pictures (maybe not that good?), but the aroma is incredible!!!! (Note: Most restaurants in Japan will ask you if you have any food allergies. Don't panic if you're asked; just answer truthfully. ”Allergy” is the common word used for this.) The hotel staff's English proficiency is really good! Seriously! Seiyoken + Din Tai Fung + Ichiran ads passing by... You can try Seiyoken. It's very famous and has been around for a long time. I've tried their full meals (both the grill and the cafe, emmm... the grill's main dishes were quite impressive, as for the cafe, I thought it was decent. Their signature beef stew, though the meat chunks are large, is really soft, flavorful, and fragrant! The other dishes were also quite good. Oh, and definitely get their Duck Farm Pudding to go before you leave! It's fantastic!!!!! The caramel is a bit bitter, which I personally don't mind). The Imperial Hotel's omurice (omelet rice) is good. Room service is quite special! You can do almost everything in the room with just one tablet, such as ordering room service, checking breakfast queue status, closing curtains, and turning off lights. That's about it. My opinion on Kamon is that it's worth trying once. (Most of the above-mentioned Imperial Hotel restaurants are more budget-friendly if you choose lunch options). To the hotel, I'd say you've done a great job. There's nothing to pick apart. Many of the services are very detailed. Negative reviews do exist, but I honestly didn't notice any... (that's on me). Also, a good travel mood is very important. This is just my review. Wishing you a pleasant journey! The hotel staff is very helpful! They will solve problems for you. Last time, my mom thought the indoor lighting wasn't perfect? She wanted to try brighter lights to see if it would be better and also wanted an additional space to work directly by the window. After informing the hotel of the request, they sent what seemed like a room service table? With a desk lamp, and the brightness was just right! (It was really a bother to them, I'm sure). (Please don't get upset with me if any of the above wording seems inappropriate...) That's generally all. I'm too lazy to write anything else, and I guess no one will read on anyway, it's quite long... Haha 🤔
From$267

Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo - Ginza

9.3/10Great2174 Reviews
Ginza/Tsukiji Tokyo|0.18km from city center
The hotel's location is great, and other reviews have already covered it in detail. From Haneda Airport, you can take the subway directly to the hotel's nearest exit, Higashi-Ginza A1 on the Keikyu Line, which has a vertical elevator. Getting back to Haneda Airport was a bit roundabout; you need to go to platform 1 to catch the train, and it takes about thirty-something minutes to reach the airport. My husband and I were traveling with our thirteen-year-old child, and the hotel wouldn't allow us to stay in a double room; we had to book an additional room, which led to extra expenses. For the last two days, we switched to a triple room and paid the difference at the front desk. The hotel's cleanliness was acceptable. I suspect the previous occupants of our room might have been *foreigners from a specific country, as there was an unremovable body odor that made me dizzy. Due to the language barrier, I couldn't communicate this, so we just put up with it. I didn't encounter any Chinese-speaking staff at the front desk, so I don't know if they have any, even though there were indeed many Chinese guests. Breakfast was semi-buffet style, with six main options and other self-serve items. The choices were almost identical for all three mornings, and I really couldn't find anything to my taste. I regretted booking the hotel breakfast; it would have been more delicious and cost-effective to eat at a nearby cafe. This was not a good experience, so whether I'll stay here again in the future is up to fate.
From$308

InterContinental Tokyo Bay

9.3/10Great1113 Reviews
Tokyo Tower Area Tokyo|2.04km from city center
The InterContinental Tokyo Bay is situated in an excellent, affluent area, a well-established hotel with a rich history that has undergone renovation. It now boasts comprehensive and well-maintained facilities, offering a wide range of services and amenities that cover all the essentials. The overall cleanliness is meticulously upheld, giving it a sophisticated 'old money' vibe without being overly flashy. It provides a stable and comfortable stay. The location is a significant advantage, making it convenient to travel to the Ginza shopping district and offering smooth transportation to Haneda Airport. The room views are outstanding, with the bay scenery being a delight to behold. It's highly recommended for business travelers, especially if your budget allows; the overall experience is top-notch.
From$297

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Family friendly

Tokyo Dome Hotel

9.2/10Great3773 Reviews
Suidobashi/Tokyo Dome Tokyo|3.75km from city center
The room was quite spacious for Tokyo standards, and they cleaned it daily, restocking amenities. It's super convenient for Ginza and Senso-ji Temple, with a subway station right downstairs. There's also a mall next door that looks like an amusement park, though the food there isn't great. Plus, there's a Don Quijote, FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, and other convenience stores nearby, which is really handy. Coming from a 14-square-meter room, this was a fantastic upgrade. I'd definitely consider staying here again on my next trip to Tokyo!
From$116

ANA InterContinental TOKYO by IHG

9.3/10Great158 Reviews
Akasaka Tokyo|2.21km from city center
Room and bed were very comfortable, immaculately clean and modern. 2 mins walk from train station, if you need lift access to train then a 6 mins walk, we had a stroller. Breakfast was a bit of a zoo, we went during Christmas, very busy! But tables were spacious so even though there were so many people you don’t feel cramped. Good variety of food selection. We had dinner at the Japanese teppanyaki restaurant. Delicious, especially the tuna salad. I found the lobby staff a little lack of personality, at check in, no mentioning of where breakfast will be, what time check out is. Just checked you in and that’s it, no personal notes in the room. When I expressed I’ve lost my phone at the shop in Tokyo, no sign of empathy (it was a western male staff) no gesture of helpfulness, very cold and robotic. This goes for concierge also, he is an older western gentleman, he needs to use Google translate also which is frustrating cause I could do exactly the same research with Google translate. Overall, hardware is solid, need to fine tune the staff, sprinkle a little bit of personality in them.
From$358

Conrad Tokyo

9.3/10Great200 Reviews
Shiodome Tokyo|0.99km from city center
If you're a Hilton Diamond member, definitely don't book through Trip.com, otherwise, you won't get any upgrade benefits. The main issue is that I've always been able to use them in the US. If I hadn't thought I could get an upgrade, I would have chosen the Imperial instead of coming here. Trip.com should also have a disclaimer in their description. Plus, I stayed for three days, and on the second day, after I came back from shopping, neither my room key nor electronic key worked. Keep in mind that at Conrad, you have to take two elevators to get from the entrance to your room, and they assigned me a room furthest from the elevator. I had to drag a bunch of shopping bags all the way to the front desk to get a new room key. At breakfast in the morning, I ordered à la carte, and they completely forgot my order. Everyone around me had finished eating, and when I asked the server, she had forgotten about it! All in all, the service at the Imperial is still better~
From$564

Hilton Tokyo Odaiba

8.9/10Very Good981 Reviews
Odaiba Tokyo|5.01km from city center
This hotel offers direct access to the Yurikamome Line's Odaiba Station from its second floor, and is within walking distance of the life-sized Gundam statue and Odaiba Marine Park. A complimentary shuttle bus to Disneyland is provided, and Haneda Airport is just a 20-minute drive away, making transportation highly convenient. All room types feature private balconies, with ocean view rooms directly facing the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Bay's night skyline. The room sizes significantly exceed those of similarly priced hotels in central Tokyo. For families with children, amenities for kids are proactively provided upon check-in, ensuring excellent comfort during your stay. The facilities are well-maintained, and both Chinese and English services are seamless. There's a complimentary gym and multiple restaurants on-site. The drawbacks include the hotel's age and the fact that the pool requires an additional fee. It's also a bit further from the central city shopping districts. Overall, this hotel is ideal for guests who prioritize exploring Odaiba, appreciate scenic views and spacious accommodations. High-floor ocean view rooms are highly recommended.
From$254

Shinagawa Prince Hotel

8.7/10Very Good4886 Reviews
Shinagawa Tokyo|5.46km from city center
This is my second stay at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel. After my first visit, I knew I wanted to come back. The location is incredibly convenient, whether you're coming from Haneda Airport or Narita Airport, though Narita takes a bit longer. Both times, my room offered a view of Tokyo Tower, which always brightens my mood. The room size was also quite generous for me. There are also some fantastic restaurants near the hotel; I highly recommend a ramen shop specializing in tantanmen and a Japanese-Western style restaurant.
From$101

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Breakfast

HOSHINOYA Tokyo

9/10Great89 Reviews
Tokyo Station/Nihonbashi Tokyo|1.84km from city center
[HOSHINOYA Tokyo: A Vertical Ryokan Experience] HOSHINOYA Tokyo offers a truly unique concept. It is a traditional Japanese ryokan built vertically within a modern skyscraper, located in the prestigious Otemachi district. It provides a serene, luxurious escape right in the middle of the bustling city, perfectly blending classic ryokan hospitality with world-class modern design. We enjoyed a wonderful three-day, two-night stay at the property from 29 May to 31 May. We chose not to make any meal reservations, which gave us the flexibility to simply relax and explore the surrounding city. [Getting There] We travelled from Fufu Hakone via a day trip to Enoshima and Kamakura. We took a direct train from Kamakura to Tokyo Station, followed by a short walk to the hotel, and arrived at around 8:00 PM. To make the transit completely effortless, our luggage was picked up and delivered directly to the hotel by LuggAgent on the same day. [Arrival and Check-In] The hotel is situated in the central business district and distinctly stands out from the surrounding buildings. The discreet entrance completely shields you from the busy streets. Upon entering, staff immediately store your shoes, as the entire tatami-matted building operates on a barefoot or socks-only policy. We were incredibly lucky to catch a traditional jap instrument performance, which is usually reserved for weekends. A designated staff member managed our check-in with welcome snack & tea and escorted us to level 15. A major highlight is the exclusive lounge on each floor, shared by only 6 suites. It functions as a private living room, fully stocked with complimentary seasonal teas, coffees, and traditional snacks. [The Suite] We stayed in the Sakura suite. Rather than trying to describe the beautiful layout in words, I will let my photos speak for themselves. The beds are low to the floor with a mid-level hardness that we found quite comfortable, and each bed comes with two soft pillows. There is also a television cleverly hidden behind a mirror, though it is worth noting that it only broadcasts Japanese channels. We kept it switched off to maintain the consistent traditional ryokan feel. The provided yukata is absolutely superb. It comes as a full set complete with an inner layer, an outer layer, socks, and a small handbag. The material is soft, stretchy, and incredibly comfortable for lounging and walking around the property. [The Top-Floor Onsen] Having a natural hot spring in central Tokyo is a rare luxury. The onsen is located on the 17th floor and features a stunning design where the roof is open to the sky. As cameras are strictly prohibited, you will have to visualise it or check the hotel website for gallery photos. I understand that the bath is a salty hot spring containing a high concentration of seawater and seaweed minerals trapped deep in the ground. Soaking in this soothing water gently embraces the skin and helps alleviate fatigue in both body and mind. The onsen is open daily from 3:00 PM to 11:30 AM. It was the absolute perfect way to warm up and recharge before we headed out for a busy day. [Areas for Improvement] Toothbrush Set: The provided toothbrush is far too small and takes ages to use. I strongly recommend bringing your own.
From$1,447

Agora Tokyo Ginza

8.9/10Very Good292 Reviews
Ginza/Tsukiji Tokyo|0.36km from city center
Pros: the duty manager Mai who is fluent in English and demonstrated outstanding attentiveness and a genuine dedication to hospitality. She took the time to truly understand my specific needs and thoughtfully arranged the perfect room for me. To be quite honest, this level of personalized care and attention to detail is something rarely encountered in the hospitality industry nowadays. I was both deeply impressed and delightfully surprised by this experience. Cons: regarding the housekeeping service during my stay, While I appreciate that the bedsheets were changed diligently, the overall cleanliness and attention to detail have been highly disappointing. Instead of clearing the room, the housekeeper consistently left trash behind after cleaning. Day1 The housekeeper actually stuffed a piece of paper waste into the room card slot. Day 2 The trash remained unclean. Day 3 The housekeeper even left their own dirty cleaning towel right next to the bathroom sink. （see the picture) As a guest, I expected a high standard of hygiene and professionalism, but these incidents have made my stay quite uncomfortable.
From$245

remm Roppongi

9.1/10Great1171 Reviews
Roppongi Tokyo|3.16km from city center
Great staff/hotel/location! This is the second time we chose to stay at Remm Roppongi. The first time in March this year. In Sep. we chose here again coz this is a great hotel. We are lucky to have Mr. Kiyonaga-san 清永 to receive us when we check in. He is very considerate with our requests and tried his best to accommodate us after our trip from Hokkaido. He left us a very good impression, and made us feel like home. We love Remm Roppongi even more. The hotel also has a great location, convenient transportation with subways, close to a lot of sightseeing places. The room is always very clean. And the room atmosphere is good, we love the massage chair, after a full day city walk, we need that! :-) Everybody we meet at Reception is sooooo nice, and even late night, if we need any service, they would help us out. At this hotel, you feel Japanese standard service and hospitality. You would love it here like we do.
From$141

Hotel Monte Hermana Tokyo

9.1/10Great1256 Reviews
Tokyo Station/Nihonbashi Tokyo|1.13km from city center
Front desk allowed us to early check in even though we came earlier than we are supposed to due to the rainy weather outside so me and my mum appreciate that very much. The tv allowed us to know when the washing machine and dryer is available to use and detergent is automatically added based on what I was told. The hotel is not exactly on the main road but still can find using Google map and there's at least 2 underground exits nearby to go tokyo station. Overall not bad even though the room is a bit small but it's affordable enough for me and my mum.
From$129

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Tokyo Kanda

8.8/10Very Good288 Reviews
Tokyo Station/Nihonbashi Tokyo|2.41km from city center
Whenever I come to Tokyo, I always stay at the Kanda Fresa Inn. The location is very convenient, and the front desk staff downstairs are very helpful. There are many convenience stores nearby, as well as a Starbucks, and a charming cafe just across the street.
From$75

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Gym

Hotel Keihan Tsukiji Ginza Grande

9.2/10Great1660 Reviews
Ginza/Tsukiji Tokyo|0.89km from city center
The room layout was well-designed. Most hotels in Japanese city centers are quite small, but this one, though compact, had everything you could need. The service was also very attentive. Downstairs, they offer complimentary makeup remover, toner, and lotion for guests to take as needed. The location is great, very close to the subway, and there are many convenience stores nearby. You can even walk to Ginza.
From$220

DoubleTree by Hilton Tokyo Ariake

9.1/10Great579 Reviews
Odaiba Tokyo|4.77km from city center
Had a fantastic stay! The hotel's location is excellent, right next to the Rinkai Line, making it incredibly convenient for getting around, especially to Disney. The room facilities were well-equipped, and the cleanliness was top-notch; there were no unpleasant odors. Breakfast is served on the first floor. We stayed for five nights and went at different times, but on three of those days, we encountered a queue. If you're in a hurry, you might want to factor in some extra time.
From$146

The Prince Park Tower Tokyo - Preferred Hotels & Resorts, LVX Collection

9/10Great2357 Reviews
Tokyo Tower Area Tokyo|2.41km from city center
I was impolitely treated by the lobby staff during check out. Everything during the stay was great, until we brought our luggage to the lobby and I was looking for the express checkout box. Failing to found one, I asked one of the staffs (shown in photo) politely about the express checkout boxes, he swiftly pushed me away and ask my to queue up at the check out with a very inpatient attitude. His colleague and his manager apologised for him while he was hiding at the back office after I complained. This is not any customer should have been treated, especially with this level of hospitality and pricing. Won’t be return to this hotel again and I strongly suggest the hotel to refine their training for their staffs.
From$275

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi

9.3/10Great748 Reviews
Tokyo Station/Nihonbashi Tokyo|1.42km from city center
If you want to stay somewhere with excellent train connectivity, Tokyo Station is a good bet. That said, I’m personally not a huge fan of Tokyo Station, perhaps because I find the layout a little too complex and confusing. The room was quite small for the price, although that may just be the standard for Tokyo. The breakfast spread was also fairly basic. Overall, it’s a pretty standard hotel, but its biggest advantage is its strategic location and direct access to the train network.
From$218

Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo

9.1/10Great426 Reviews
Shinagawa Tokyo|4.74km from city center
The room was quite spacious for Tokyo standards, and the hotel's public areas were also beautiful. The shuttle service to Meguro Station was very convenient. We chose this hotel mainly because we planned to shop in Ginza and Omotesando, and its location is great for both subway and taxi travel. The teppanyaki restaurant on B2, however, was just okay – not particularly recommended.
From$386

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