TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Japan’s two premier airlines, Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA), are currently offering discounts on domestic flights specifically for foreign tourists. These low-cost flights, considerably cheaper than the Shinkansen (bullet train), are designed to allow international visitors to explore more remote destinations within Japan while saving both time and money.
As reported by SoraNews24, to qualify for these offers, individuals must reside outside of Japan and possess an international air ticket to and from Japan. Only flights taken during their visit to Japan are eligible for these special rates, and travelers must present their passports at check-in.
How to Get Discounted Domestic Tickets
The ANA Discover Japan Fare is available until March 28, 2026. Reservations and purchases must be made at least three days before departure through the ANA website or an ANA office, or a travel agent outside of Japan, with no refunds or changes permitted after purchase.
JAL’s offer, called the JAL Japan Explorer Pass, also requires purchase at least three days before departure, with no refunds or changes after purchase. Unlike ANA’s offer, this promotion has no expiration date. The JAL Explorer Pass can only be purchased through JAL’s website outside of Japan, using either the English or local language version.
Choosing Between JAL and ANA
There are two primary differences between these domestic flight offers. Firstly, the JAL Japan Explorer Pass is exclusively for foreign passport holders, whereas ANA’s offer can also be purchased by Japanese passport holders who have international airfare and permanent residency outside Japan. Secondly, ANA serves more domestic airports than JAL. Travelers can choose from approximately 50 airports across Japan with ANA, while JAL only covers around 30.
However, both airlines offer substantial discounts with the same three fare tiers: 5,500 yen (approximately Rp605,000), 7,700 yen (approximately Rp848,000), and 11,000 yen (approximately Rp1.2 million) per segment, depending on the distance. These prices are significantly cheaper than normal fares. For instance, a one-way trip from Tokyo to Osaka costs 7,700 yen, totaling 15,400 yen (around Rp1.7 million) for a round-trip.
In contrast, a regular plane ticket for the same route costs around 29,000 yen (Rp3.2 million) during the off-peak season and over 42,000 yen (Rp4.6 million) during the high season. This also makes the discounted flights roughly half the price of the Shinkansen.
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AloJapan.com