I moved to Japan 2 years ago and vowed to see it all…and experience the vast culture within the land of zen, beauty, and tradition. With the help of low-cost carriers, it is possible to travel the nearly 2,000 miles from snowy Hokkaido in the north to beautiful sub-tropical Okinawa in the south relatively inexpensively. LCCs in Japan are safe, reliable, and operate fleets of new aircraft.

Guide to Japanese Low Cost Airlines

Jetstar Japan

Jetstar Japan flies to over 11 destinations within Japan using a fleet of 18 A-320s. I have traveled from Okinawa to Tokyo (Narita) as well as Osaka (KIX) on this airline.  Both flights were pleasant and comfortable with leather seats. Many snacks, including shrimp chips and curry buns (almost like a panko donut filled with curry – amazing!), are offered for sale on board, as well as soft drinks, cocktails, Jetstar keychains, and a plush Jetta Red Panda, the mascot.

Service is offered to several smaller airports in Kyushu, such as Oita, Kagoshima, and Kumamoto. Because they are owned by Qantas and Japan Airlines, they also offer international flights partnered with JetStar Group’s subsidiaries to Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Hong Kong (most of these international flights will require a stop in Tokyo).

Skymark

Skymark operates an all Boeing 737-800 fleet out of Haneda which is Tokyo’s city airport (Narita is 85 km away; Haneda only 25 km). Of the Japanese LCCs, Skymark has one of the largest fleets at 27 airplanes and has the largest route network.

They are the dominant carrier into Kobe (the world’s best beef!) and fly into other smaller airports including Kagoshima, Nagasaki, and Sendai. Sometimes it’s fun to just pick a cheap flight to a destination you didn’t even know you wanted to go! If you find a good price and have a sense of adventure, why not? The odds are that you’ll experience something fabulous.

A cool feature of booking flights with Skymark is that you can pay in cash or with credit at local konbini (convenience stores) such as Family Mart, 7-Eleven, and Lawson.

Vanilla Air

Vanilla Air is another great travel option. Owned by ANA, flights normally range from JPY 4990 (~$42 USD) to JPY 10,000 (~$83 USD) one way, depending on season and destination. They fly a small fleet of 8 A-320s to major destinations such as Tokyo and Sapporo but also internationally to Hong Kong, Taipei, and even Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan.

On-board they offer a variety of snacks and drinks. One tasty option is the Okinawan specialty, Goya Chanpuru – stir-fry consisting of vegetables with rice and goya (bitter melon). Oishii!

Solaseed

Solaseed flies in and out of Haneda mostly to the Kyushu region at the southern tip of mainland. For tourists classified as “temporary visitors” and non-Japanese passport holder, Solaseed offers a “VISIT JAPAN” fare for JPY 10,500 (~$88 USD) per flight for all routes. Fares and flights are available on a stand-by basis only. While not as convenient, it’s great for anyone who has the time to go wherever, whenever. More details about this fare can be found on Solaseed’s website.

Peach

Based out of Osaka with hubs in Okinawa and Tokyo as well, Peach is my favorite Japanese Low Cost Airline. They have a great schedule and offer 15 destinations on an all A-320 fleet throughout mainland Japan and internationally to South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Peach offers discount train tickets available for purchase in-flight for Osaka and Tokyo sightseeing.

My family (husband and 2 girls) has gone to Osaka, Ishigaki (service no longer offered), Fukuoka, and Taipei with Peach. All airfare costs per round-trip have been under $400 total for the four of us. They’re practically giving the tickets away. Peach’s pink, purple, and white color scheme is fun. They have also been known to be super generous and hand out stickers when certain children get rowdy!

Their on-board services are unique too, incorporating seasonal items. For summer, try the Sparkling Peach Rose or cool off with Peach Ice Milk. Cosmetics, fragrances, and Peach-themed accessories round out their offerings.

Most often, LCCs are subsidiaries of major airlines and are therefore able to provide air travel at a discounted price. LCCs may travel out of remote gates which require you to walk outside or take a shuttle to your flight. Also, you’ll likely end up paying for any extras such as checked luggage, snacks, and beverages. Pack light or prepay for luggage as it is much cheaper. Maybe shove a snack and drink in your carry-on before you board from any one of many konbini in the airport. Low fares make up for the lack of “extras” and leg room (if you’re over 6 feet tall like my husband) but absolutely do not compromise safety standards in getting you to your destination.

Whether you want to surf, snorkel, and relax on wild beaches in Okinawa; ski and hike in Sapporo; visit temples and experience old Japan in Kyoto; or hit up nightlife, high-end shopping, and the world’s best restaurants in Tokyo, LCCs have got you covered. Have you tried a Japanese Low Cost Airline? Which one? Tell us about your experience!

*(All Japanese LCCs fly in/out of Okinawa where I am based.)
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I believe DC is a city you can never be bored in. It is filled with museums, events, and monuments to discover. Many of the attractions are free.  Just as in Brussels, sometimes it takes to have a guest over in order to step away from the weekend routine of shopping and/or house maintenance and get me to discover my city. These past three weeks my love was visiting from The Netherlands and it was the perfect occasion to discover DC.  Our exploration ranged from the DC freebies to the decadent. These are my favorite moments from the visit.
I’m glad DC rarely gets as freezing cold as NY in the winter, making it a perfect place to go sightseeing in the winter months if you do not like crowds.  Ever since my first assignment at Quantico, I fell in love with The National Mall. It is one of those places I do not get tired of experiencing. I love going for a run on the weekends around it, exploring the monuments, and watching how people, Americans and foreigners alike react to its magnitude. One of the buildings I have admired from afar for so many years is the US Capitol.  Just recently, I became aware it is possible to go on a free guided tour of the Capitol Building.  Our guide, Mr. Judge was filled with interesting facts about the building and found a way to tie in all the guests whether it was by their state or nationality to the building.  My Dutchman was able to located the Dutch flag in shape of a rainbow of the painting which depicted the departure of the Pilgrims from Delfs Haven, Holland located in the rotunda. After the tour, we decided to walk to another beautiful structure, Union Station to have coffee and watch the weekly commuters come and go on a Friday afternoon.   During the walk, we got the opportunity to admire the colorful row houses which line the streets of DC.
In order to get a change from DC, one does not have to go so far. Only 45 minutes away, you can be in Annapolis.  Annapolis is the home of the Naval Academy where currently one of my close friends is stationed as an instructor.  We had the opportunity to tour the Academy grounds and go to a Navy Women’s basketball game vs Marshall University.  My love is a big fan of basketball, therefore the game was the perfect treat for him. Thankfully the ladies won and we celebrated with a Maryland delicacy: crab cakes at Chicks and Ruth’s Deli.  Although the staff was not the most energetic, the crab cakes were yummy.  I’m looking forward to spending more time in Annapolis, especially in the summer months.

We also had the opportunity to indulge a bit.  On his last evening in DC we decided to have an indulgent dinner at J&G steakhouse at the W Hotel.  We sat in a quiet corner with a view of the south lawn of the Whitehouse. As we indulged in the delicious tasting menu which included tuna tartare and molten chocolate cake, we recounted all the special moments held during these three weeks.  Classic moments such as a run around the Washington Monument in the early evening, loving moments such as shucking oysters together on New Year’s Eve, and mundane moments such as assembling a dresser at home.
These moments remind me that boredom is something we chose to have. We have the choice to make the most of our lives in the places we live. From learning to cook something new in our home to discovering a new monument, there are so many choices to open new ideas into our lives. That is the life I’m committed to live. I am looking forward to continuous exploration of my new city.

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