Take advantage of the latest Jetstar sale for a Japan holiday anyone can afford.
14 April 2014: You can now fly to Japan from Australia for as little as $249 return. Jetstar has launched a sale where if you pay for a one-way ticket (starting at $249), the return flight is free.
The $249 price is available from Cairns to Osaka or Tokyo (Narita), but discounted fares are also available from Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide.
These flights, which are all routed through Cairns or Gold Coast, will be flown on Jetstar’s Dreamliners.
We’re paired up these cheap flights to Japan with a range of accommodation options in the two cities, and have found you can take a week-long trip for as little as $375 per person.
Here’s how:
First, you’ll need to book your flight to Japan:
| Cairns | Melbourne | Brisbane | Sydney | Adelaide | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osaka | $249 return Book now | $460 return Book now | Not available | $433 return Book now | Not available |
| Tokyo | $249 return Book now | $348 return Book now | $388 return Book now | $422 return Book now | $440 return Book now |
These flights are available from mid-October until mid-December on all routes, except for Melbourne to Tokyo, which is available 15 August until 3 September.
Second, you’ll need to book accommodation in Japan:
Everyone has a different style of travel, so we’ve selected an option for a range of different adventures. In both Osaka and Tokyo, we’ve picked a Japanese-style capsule hotel, a homestay and a comfortable hotel.
Where to stay in Osaka:
- Capsule Hotel: Hotel Shin-Imamiya - $419 for two people ($210 each)
- Homestay: Japanese-style room in Kashiwara - $252 for two people ($126 each)
- Hotel: Hotel IL Grande Umeda - $731 for two ($366 each)
Where to stay in Tokyo:
- Capsule Hotel:Capsule and Sauna New Century - $210 per person
- Homestay: Modern Apartment in Nakano -$399 per room ($200 each)
- Hotel: Flexstay Inn Kokiwadai - $578 per room ($289 each)
Can’t believe a trip to Japan can be this cheap? Here’s the maths:
Osaka:
| Flight | Cheapest accommodation | Total: | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns | $249 return | $126 | $375 |
| Melbourne | $460 return | $126 | $586 |
| Sydney | $433 return | $126 | $559 |
Tokyo:
| Flight | Cheapest accommodation | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns | $249 return | $200 | $449 |
| Melbourne | $348 return | $200 | $548 |
| Brisbane | $388 return | $200 | $588 |
| Sydney | $422 return | $200 | $622 |
| Adelaide | $440 return | $200 | $640 |
About Tokyo and Osaka
- Osaka: From the hilltop Osaka Castle to Dotonbori, there’s plenty to do and see in Japan's third-largest city. Osaka is known for its nightlife and food, and it doesn’t disappoint. Dotonbori’s streets are lined with restaurants and attractions with the type of huge, interactive signage (think giant octopus jutting out of walls to let you know it’s a seafood restaurant) that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.
- Tokyo: An intriguing city where ultra-modern skyscrapers and bright lights meet historic temples and sleepy neighbourhoods, the Greater Tokyo Area is the most populated metropolitan area in the world. Here, you can be blinded by the brilliant lights of Shibuya just after strolling through the peaceful gardens at Shinjuku Gyoen.
You can also consider a dual-centre holiday with these two destinations. While the Jetstar fares are only available as a round-trip ticket to and from the same city in Japan, you can take the Shinkansen (bullet train) between the two cities in just 3 hours 40 minutes.
Top 5 things to do in both Tokyo and Osaka:
Osaka
- Dine on okonomiyaki, a unique Japanese pancake that’s a popular dish in the area
- Wander through the streets at Dotonbori and see the Glico Man sign
- Explore the grounds of the 16th-century Osaka Castle
- Hop on a train to Kyoto, just an hour away by train
- Eat at one of Osaka’s famous themed restaurants, including samurai and Alice in Wonderland
Tokyo:
- Make the early-morning trek to the Tsukiji Fish Markets for some of the world’s freshest sushi
- Stroll through the tranquil gardens at Ueno Park or Shinjuku Gyoen
- Visit the forested Meiji Shrine, and the central temple at Senso-ji
- Go to the robot restaurant in Tokyo's red-light district, Kabukicho
- Try and spot Mt Fuji from the (free!) observation deck at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
These prices are accurate as of 14 April 2016. Prices for Osaka packages are based on travel from 1-8 November 2016, while prices for Tokyo packages are based on travel from 1-8 November 2016 from Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide and 22-29 August from Melbourne.
