Japan is a wonderful country for many reasons. First of all, it is incredibly beautiful, with some of the most amazing natural landscapes in the world.
Secondly, it has a rich history and a wide variety of ancient cities to explore. Finally, the country’s bustling cities are some of the most futuristic you’ll find.
It is these things that make Japan so popular with millions of tourists all over the world, not just the United States.
Luckily for us, this has led to Japan becoming one of the most accessible places in the world, with thousands of flights from all over the U.S flying back and forth every day.
If you’re lucky enough to be flying to Japan and want to learn more about the journey, make sure you keep reading!
How Long Does It Take To Fly To Japan?
As much as we’d like to answer this question for you straightaway, we can’t give you one conclusive answer for every flight. The reason for this is down to the number of different flights to choose from and the airlines that offer flights.
For example, a nonstop flight to Tokyo might take over 14 hours, whereas a flight to Okinawa might take 20 hours and include a stop.
To make life easier for you, we will look at how long it takes for the average nonstop flight to get to Japan and how long it takes the average one-stop flight to get there.
Generally speaking, it is likely to take you at least 14 hours to fly to Japan if you fly to Tokyo. Flying to other destinations in Japan could take anywhere between 17 to 22 hours depending on the location.
Where In New York City Can You Fly From?
You can fly to Japan from John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
John F. Kennedy International Airport is the main airport in New York City, while Newark Liberty International Airport is in nearby New Jersey.
At John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), you’ll find Japan Airlines (JAL), Delta, and All Nippon Airways (ANA) flying nonstop flights to Japan. Delta and ANA fly into Narita airport in Tokyo, while JAL flies directly to Haneda, Tokyo.
On the other hand, United Airlines operates at Newark Liberty International Airport, flying directly to Haneda.
There is a wide range of other places in Japan you can fly to from these airports but the two airports in Tokyo are the most popular.
Where In Japan Can You Fly To?
As we mentioned above, Tokyo is the most popular destination when it comes to flying from New York to Japan, but there are other destinations you might want to fly to. While they take longer to reach, they might be somewhere you want to visit.
There are other destinations in Japan, but these tend to be the most popular. Now you know where you can fly, we can’t start looking at how long it takes.
Nonstop Flights To Japan
First, let’s take a look at the most convenient flights you can take to Japan. Tokyo is the only place in Japan you can fly to from New York City. Therefore, if you seek the fastest flights you need to head there.
The two airports you can fly to in Tokyo are Narita and Haneda. Until recently, overseas flights only landed at Narita airports, but they have now started landing in Haneda. This is great because Haneda is closer to Tokyo Bay.
Nonstop flights take a little over 14 hours and cover 6,700 to 6,800 miles depending on which airport you fly from. For more options, flying from JFK is best, but Newark is also a great option.
Most United Airlines flights to Tokyo from New York City take between 13 hours 40 minutes and 17 hours to reach Japan.
One-Stop Flights
As you can see from our list of destinations above, there are plenty of destinations to choose from that require a stop-off.
While this may take longer than flying to Tokyo, arranging a stop-over could save you money, or give you time to explore another part of Japan.
Along the Pacific route, United Airlines stop at Peking before continuing on to Japan. Other airlines stop in Taipei, Taiwan.
There are even airlines like British Airlines and KLM that fly the other way first, stopping off in London and Amsterdam before continuing on to Japan.
These flights can take well over 20 hours and easily cover a distance of over 9,000 miles.
Interestingly, it is also possible to fly to Narita and Haneda with a stop-off, but that makes little sense.
Some flights might even stop at Narita and Haneda before carrying on to your next location. Flights to Fukuoka are a good example of this, taking 17 hours to reach their final destination.
Avoid booking at the weekend and during holidays as flight fares shoot up. Traveling on a weekday and out of the holiday season will save you a lot of money.
Booking weeks in advance will give you a better chance of finding cheap seats. We recommend booking 3 or 4 months in advance if possible.
Connecting flights might make you reach your destination later, but you could save a large amount of money for the inconvenience.
Last-minute deals and cheaper flights can sometimes be found or made available if you talk to a travel agent. Why not give a travel agent a call to see what they can do for you.
Final Thoughts
How long it takes to fly to Japan depends on a number of factors. This includes where you plan on flying to, where you fly from, and whether or not you have to stop off on the way.
The fastest flights from New York to Japan usually take approximately 14 hours to get you to Tokyo, landing at Narita and Haneda airports.
If you decide to fly to other destinations in Japan, for example, Osaka or Okinawa, you could expect the flights to take anywhere from 17 to 22 hours.
Now you know how long it takes to fly to Japan, why don’t you start planning your trip!
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
