JAL discounts domestic flights to encourage tourism away from Japan's 'Golden Route'

Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced a limited-time, web-exclusive “Domestic Flight Ticket Time Sale” offering discounted fares on select domestic routes.

The sale will commence at midnight on Monday, April 8th, 2025, Japan Standard Time (JST), and will conclude at 11:59 PM JST on Tuesday, April 9th, 2025.

This time-sensitive promotion offers reduced fares for travel within Japan during the eligible boarding period, which spans from Saturday, June 1st, 2025, to Thursday, July 31st, 2025.

This period covers the early summer travel season in Japan, a time when many individuals and families may be planning domestic trips.

Haneda Airport, Tokyo — Most of the flights on sale depart from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport

The “Domestic Flight Ticket Time Sale” features discounts on one-way fares on popular routes, including:

Tokyo (Haneda Airport) to Sapporo (New Chitose Airport) / Osaka (Itami Airport)
- Fares starting from 7,700 yen (approx. $52.84 USD / £40.71 GBP).
- The Haneda to New Chitose route connects Japan’s capital with Hokkaido’s largest city and a major gateway to the northern island’s attractions.
- The Haneda to Itami route serves the Kansai region’s primary domestic airport, providing access to Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara.
Tokyo (Haneda Airport) to Fukuoka Airport
- Fares starting from 8,250 yen (approx. $56.62 USD / £43.62 GBP).
- This route links Tokyo with Fukuoka, the largest city on the island of Kyushu.
Tokyo (Haneda Airport) to Okinawa (Naha Airport)
- Fares starting from 9,900 yen (approx. $67.94 USD / £52.33 GBP).
- This popular route connects the main island of Honshu with the subtropical islands of Okinawa, a popular tourist destination.

In addition to these major city connections, JAL is also offering discounted fares for travel to more remote destinations.

A connecting fare from Tokyo (Haneda Airport) to Kagoshima Airport, with onward travel to Yakushima Airport, is available from 11,000 yen (approx. $75.48 USD / £58.15 GBP).

Yakushima is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient cedar forests and unique biodiversity, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts.

To take advantage of these discounted fares, customers must purchase their tickets online through the JAL website during the specified 48-hour sale period.

The fares are subject to availability and passengers may also be subject to applicable airport passenger facility charges.

In a related announcement, JAL is also currently holding a “JAL Dynamic Package Time Sale,” which runs until 11:59 PM JST on Wednesday, April 17, 2025.

This separate promotion offers customers the opportunity to save up to 34,000 yen (approx. $233.33 USD / £179.68 GBP) on a package deal that includes a domestic flight ticket and hotel accommodation when using a designated coupon.

Susukino, Sapporo — Travelers can explore areas of Japan such as Sapporo with these discounted flights

This package deal offers a more comprehensive travel option for those planning overnight stays at their destinations.

These promotional offers from Japan Airlines are likely aimed at growing demand for domestic air travel during the June-July period.

The traditional Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka “Golden Route” followed by tourists is served by regular shinkansen bullet trains and competes directly with domestic flights.

Flights between Osaka and Tokyo are frequent but not as popular with travelers as the shinkansen

By offering cost-effective options for Tokyo-Osaka flights as well as flights to areas such as Hokkaido, Kyushu and Okinawa that are outside of the “Golden Route” area, JAL may be aiming to compete with Japan’s rail companies for more of the domestic travel market.

Source: Travel Watch