Tips for buying plane tickets to the Japan for first-time visitors

Japan welcomes millions of tourists each year, and finding cheap flight tickets becomes a challenge for many. According to statistics, those who know how to take advantage of ticket purchasing tips can save up to 30% on costs compared to regular ticket prices. In this article, we will explore the secrets that will help you not only save money but also have a smooth journey to Japan.

Flights from Vietnam to Japan

Currently, there are four airlines operating flights from Vietnam to Japan, including:

- Vietnam Airlines: As the national carrier of Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines is known for its good service quality and reasonable ticket prices. Vietnam Airlines often has attractive promotions and a diverse flight schedule.

- Vietjet Air: A low-cost airline from Vietnam, Vietjet Air is famous for its promotional cheap flight tickets and services tailored for budget-conscious passengers. However, the service and amenities may not be as high-end as those of other airlines.

- ANA – All Nippon Airways: One of the 5-star airlines rated by Skytrax, ANA is renowned for its high-quality service, reliability, and modern amenities. ANA's ticket prices are usually higher but provide a luxurious and comfortable experience for passengers.

- Japan Airlines (JAL): Also a 5-star airline according to Skytrax, JAL stands out for its excellent service quality, top-tier amenities, and attentive care for passengers. JAL's ticket prices are generally higher but come with many benefits and premium services. 

Among these, Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air are domestic airlines of Vietnam, while ANA and Japan Airlines are the national carriers of Japan. Each airline offers different options and experiences, suitable for the needs and budgets of individual passengers.

Therefore, depending on individual needs and budgets, passengers can choose to fly with one of these four airlines. If price is a priority, Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air might be suitable choices. If you prioritize experience and premium service, ANA and Japan Airlines will offer the best experiences.

Flights from Vietnam to Japan

Flights	Airlines	Frequency (flights/day)	Flight duration
Hanoi - Tokyo (HAN - NRT)	VietJet Air	2	7h5m
	Vietnam Airlines	1	6h40m
	All Nippon Airways	1	6h35m
	Japan Airlines	1	6h45m
Hanoi -Tokyo (HAN - HND)	Vietnam Airlines	1	6h35m
Hanoi - Osaka (HAN - KIX)	VietJet Air	2	6h10m
	Vietnam Airlines	1	6h5m
Hanoi - Fukuoka (HAN - FUK)	VietJet Air	3	5h50m
	Vietnam Airlines	7	5h50m
Hanoi - Nagoya (HAN - NGO)	VietJet Air	1 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun)	6h25m
	Vietnam Airlines	1	6h15m
Saigon - Tokyo (SGN - NRT)	VietJet Air	1	7h50m
	Vietnam Airlines	11	7h25m
	All Nippon Airways	1	7h35m
	Japan Airlines	1	7h45m
Saigon - Tokyo (SGN - HND)	VietJet Air	1	7h40m
	All Nippon Airways	1	7h55m
	Japan Airlines	1	7h10m
Saigon - Osaka (SGN - KIX)	VietJet Air	1	7h10m
	Vietnam Airlines	1	7h
Saigon - Nagoya (SGN - NGO)	Vietnam Airlines	3	7h20m
Danang - Tokyo (DAD - NRT)	Vietnam Airlines	1	7h15m

Tips for buying cheap plane tickets to Japan

Book flight tickets 3 months in advance

Booking a flight to Japan three months in advance offers numerous benefits for travelers. Not only does it secure your seat on the flight, but it also helps you save a significant amount of money. Airlines often have promotional deals and discounts for those who book early, allowing you to snag tickets at a great price. Early booking also gives you a wider range of options for flight times, airlines, and additional services, making it easier to find a flight that fits your schedule. International flights to destinations like Japan are often very crowded, especially during peak travel seasons, so booking early ensures you get a seat on your desired flight.

Once you have your flight booked, you can plan the rest of your trip in detail, such as reserving hotels, purchasing tickets for attractions, and arranging activities in Japan. Flight prices tend to increase as the departure date approaches due to higher demand, so booking early helps you avoid paying higher last-minute prices. In summary, booking your flight to Japan three months in advance is a smart strategy that saves you money, provides more options, and ensures a smooth journey.

Travel to Japan in summer and winter

Going to Japan in summer and winter not only helps save costs but also brings unique experiences in this country.

In summer, despite the possibility of encountering humid tropical weather, it's also the time for many lively festivals like the Awa Odori Fire Festival in Tokushima City or the Tenjin Matsuri Fire Festival in Osaka. Additionally, summer is ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, or visiting large lakes like Lake Biwa.

On the other hand, winter brings a warm and romantic feeling with landscapes covered in snow. Visitors can admire classical architectural structures covered in snow or enjoy special experiences like soaking in hot springs (Onsen) amidst the chilly winter weather. Moreover, winter is the time to indulge in delicious specialties such as hot ramen noodles and fresh sushi.

Travel to Japan in summer or winter

Select flights to Narita airport

Narita International Airport is located approximately 60km from central Tokyo and typically takes between 1 to 2 hours to travel depending on the mode of transportation and traffic conditions. Although the travel time may seem relatively long, flights to Narita Airport are often considered more cost-effective compared to flights to Haneda Airport. Therefore, when looking for cheap flights to Japan, choosing flights to Narita Airport is a good option.

Despite its distance from central Tokyo, there are various transportation options available such as trains, buses, or taxis, making it relatively convenient to travel from Narita Airport to the city center.

Opting for Narita Airport over Haneda can also result in significant savings on flight tickets. While it may require additional travel time, the cost savings on tickets can be an important factor for many when planning a trip to Japan.

However, when planning your trip, it's essential to carefully consider the convenience of Haneda Airport versus the cost savings of Narita Airport to ensure that your decision aligns with your personal needs and priorities.

Hunt for plane tickets during promotional periods

To buy cheap plane tickets to Japan, continuously updating and monitoring promotions from airlines is a smart and effective approach. Airlines often organize promotions on special occasions such as anniversaries, festivals, or international events like Teachers' Day, Lunar New Year, or Christmas. These occasions are often good opportunities for you to purchase plane tickets at attractive discounted prices.

In addition to self-monitoring, you can also directly contact HoaBinh Airlines for specific and helpful guidance on booking cheap plane tickets. They can provide you with detailed information about ongoing promotions and assist you throughout the booking process. Sometimes, they may also offer special deals specifically for direct contacts.

If you have flexible time, you can also join travel forums or online community groups to share information and experiences in hunting for cheap plane tickets with others. Sometimes, information from these communities can be very useful and help you find the best deals.

Remember that hunting for cheap plane tickets requires patience and flexibility in adjusting your plans to take advantage of the best opportunities. Wishing you enjoyable and economical travels!

Hunt for plane tickets during promotional periods

How to travel from Narita International Airport to Tokyo city center

Narita Airport is located in Chiba Prefecture, about 78 km from Tokyo. From Narita Airport to the center of Tokyo, travelers have several transportation options:

- Tokyo Shuttle: The fare is 900 Japan Yen (yen). However, if there is a need to return to Narita Airport from Tokyo without booking a round-trip ticket in advance, the fare will be 2000 yen (for a trip during late night or early morning).

- The Access Narita: An inexpensive bus service taking travelers to Tokyo Station where they can quickly access JR Lines or Ginza Station for subway connections. Fare: 1000 yen/adult; 500 yen/child. Restrooms are available on the bus.

- Train: The most cost-effective train services from central Tokyo to Narita Airport run on the Keisei Line. The Keisei Line connects to Toei Asakusa Subway Line and Yamanote Line, which further connect to other stations directly to central Tokyo.

- Skyliner: A high-speed option, but the fare is 2,470 yen one way (or 2,400 yen if purchased online in advance).

- Sky Access Express: This option is more expensive than the Skyliner, but the journey from Narita Airport to central Tokyo will be faster because it goes directly to Toei Asakusa subway station instead of having to travel further to Nishi Nippori or Ueno stations.

- Limousine Bus: The fare is 3100 yen, with a round-trip ticket priced at 4500 yen.

- Taxi: The fare from Narita Airport to central Tokyo is 20,000 yen. This is the most expensive option.

How to travel from Haneda International Airport to Tokyo city center

Although it is closer to Tokyo than Narita Airport (located in Chiba Prefecture) with a distance of only 21.7 km, Haneda Airport is also situated in the suburbs rather than in central Tokyo. Therefore, there are various transportation options to get to the city center:

- Haneda Airport Express Bus (Keihin Kyuko Bus): This bus service has multiple routes and stops at various train stations and tourist attractions. If travelers wish to visit attractions such as Tokyo Disneyland or even Mount Fuji instead of going to their hotel, this is a suitable option.

- Limousine Bus: The limousine buses here are also orange, similar to the ones that transport travelers from Narita Airport to Tokyo. This is a convenient option as it has many stops, passing through numerous train stations and hotels. The fare depends on the distance. From Haneda Airport to central Tokyo - 1000 yen. From Haneda to Shinjuku - 1230 yen. From Haneda to Tokyo Station - 930 yen.

- Keikyu Line: The fare depends on the route and distance. This is a regular subway, so it can be quite crowded and somewhat slow. Travelers might need to transfer to another train. Therefore, if you have many suitcases, you should consider other options.

- Tokyo Monorail: The train takes travelers to Hamamatsucho Station, where they can catch other trains to different areas in the city. The fare is 490 yen to Hamamatsucho Station. However, travelers should consider other options if they have a lot of luggage.

- Taxi: Taxi fares in Tokyo are always expensive, but if you are traveling from Haneda Airport to central Tokyo with a group, the cost is acceptable. However, note that from 10 PM to 5 AM, taxi fares increase by 20%.

Haneda International Airport

Ideal time to travel to Japan

Japan is truly an enticing travel destination with diverse beauty throughout the seasons. The first ideal time to visit this country is from late March to mid-April. During this period, cherry blossoms (Sakura) bloom, covering entire streets with romantic and dreamy pink hues. Cherry blossoms in the southern provinces bloom earlier than in the northern provinces. Visitors can enjoy watching cherry blossoms fall on a late morning, sipping sake, and tasting traditional Japanese cuisine. This peaceful and poetic scenery will provide wonderful moments of relaxation. A notable activity is strolling through famous parks like Ueno Park in Tokyo or Maruyama Park in Kyoto to admire the cherry blossoms.

The second ideal time to explore Japan is from October to early November. Nature and the climate in Japan transform in autumn, dressing in the vibrant red colors of the fall foliage. The weather during this season is cool and pleasant. Visitors can admire the stunning sight of red leaves in both southern and northern provinces of Japan, capturing beautiful commemorative photos. Notable places to visit during the fall foliage season include Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido, Lake Kawaguchi near Mount Fuji, or temples in Kyoto.

The third ideal time to travel to Japan is from early July to late August. This is the season when Mount Fuji opens for climbing and the beginning of numerous fireworks festivals. Visitors who love mountain climbing and want to conquer the famous Mount Fuji should choose this time. Additionally, fireworks festivals occurring from late July to August will offer spectacular light shows in the night sky. Some notable activities during this season include climbing Mount Fuji and attending major fireworks festivals such as the Sumida Fireworks Festival in Tokyo or the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival in Niigata.

Each season in Japan has its own unique beauty and activities, creating unforgettable memories for visitors. Choose the time that best suits your preferences to have a wonderful trip in the Land of the Rising Sun!

Ideal time to visit Japan

Best places to visit in Japan

- Tokyo tower: Standing 333 meters tall, Tokyo Tower is a famous symbol of Japan. Located in the bustling city center, it attracts thousands of visitors each year. Known for its modern architecture, the tower also represents Japan's rebirth and pride following past conflicts. Tokyo Tower is open for visits daily from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

- Ghibli Museum: For enthusiasts of Studio Ghibli's iconic animated films such as Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle, the Ghibli Museum is a must-visit destination. Showcasing artworks and exhibits from Studio Ghibli, the museum offers a delightful experience with its restaurant, viewing areas, and diverse displays. Tickets are available for purchase online starting at 10 AM on the 10th of each month, so planning ahead is essential!

- Himeji Castle: In the heart of Himeji city, Hyogo Prefecture, about 100km from Osaka, stands the majestic Himeji Castle against a backdrop of beautiful natural scenery. Built in 1346 and completed in 1618, this castle is a UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage site. Despite facing natural disasters and wars over centuries, Himeji Castle has stood strong, earning its reputation as a symbol of Japan's history and one of the renowned "Three Great Castles" of the country.

- Fashion capital Harajuku: Harajuku in Tokyo is a must-visit for fashion enthusiasts. It's a hub for diverse shopping experiences, ranging from street fashion to high-end boutiques. You'll also witness young people flaunting unique styles and often spot individuals dressed in cosplay, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. This creates a unique blend of shopping and cultural experience that's quintessentially Harajuku.

- Mount Fuji is an enticing destination renowned for its majestic beauty and cultural significance in Japan. For the ultimate experience, consider climbing the mountain between July and August when the weather is most stable. However, thorough preparation regarding your health and necessary equipment is essential before making the decision. Hiring an experienced guide is advisable to ensure safety and the best possible experience.

Mount Fuji

- Ancient town of Hozenji Yokocho: Hozenji Yokocho in Japan is a unique historic district where visitors can enjoy a serene atmosphere and explore the traditional beauty of Japanese architecture. The restaurants and small shops here still retain the charm of the past, creating a special and enjoyable travel experience.

If you need assistance with booking tickets or advice on finding cheap flights to Japan, don't hesitate to contact HoaBinh Airlines via the hotline (+84) 939 311 911 - (+84) 913 311 911. Let us accompany you on every journey, providing you with the best and most affordable flying experiences.