This Japanese Airline Is Offering Complimentary Domestic Flights To International Visitors

If you're planning a trip to Japan soon, you're in for a delightful surprise. One Japanese airline is currently offering a very rare treat for international visitors — a chance to explore multiple regions of the country without spending a single yen on domestic flights. Whether you're a first-time visitor or returning to explore more beyond the tourist-trodden spots, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel the Land of the Rising Sun in the most accessible way possible.

Japan Airlines (JAL) — one of the country's flagship carriers and also one of the most luxurious airlines you can fly — is behind this sensational offer: Free domestic flights within Japan for international visitors. This new initiative is part of a campaign that aims to boost tourism within Japan, especially encouraging foreign travelers to venture beyond spots like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka to uncover more hidden gems across the country. JAL has a domestic flight network covering 64 airports on 133 routes — you will not run out of options for where to go, that's for sure. Plus, according to passengers, JAL is one of the top airlines with the best customer service, so your flight will be just as pleasant as the adventure ahead.

JAL's complimentary domestic flight program allows international travelers arriving in Japan with JAL to book one round-trip domestic flight to another destination within Japan — completely pro bono. It's the perfect way to get more of the diversity Japan has to offer. Whether you're interested in the serene, beachy islands of Okinawa, the snow-covered mountains of Hokkaido, or more traditional rural areas like Aomori, Japan has it all. 

According to JAL's press release (which came out on September 13, 2024), this special offer is available only to international visitors who are flying into Japan on a Japan Airlines international flight. The process of scoring a free domestic flight is relatively straightforward. First, book your international flight with JAL to any Japanese airport they serve; for example, flying from San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo (NRT). You must book the corresponding domestic flight in that same reservation to ensure eligibility for this promotion — separate bookings won't work.

Following this, JAL will issue one free domestic round-trip ticket back to your original landing destination in Japan (i.e., Tokyo), giving you the freedom to explore a new region. This offer will become available to passengers from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico starting September 10, from Thailand on September 11, Singapore on September 18, Australia and New Zealand on September 19, Vietnam and the Philippines on September 25, and finally, September 27 for Indonesia, India, China, and Taiwan. The list of eligible countries might expand even further.

There is one condition: If you plan to make a stopover that is longer than 24 hours at your first Japanese destination and you are a traveler from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, or China, you will have to pay a $100 stopover fee. That's it! With this deal, if you're flying in JAL's award-winning first-class, you can bring up to three pieces of luggage up to 70 pounds each, and in economy class, you can bring two pieces of luggage up to 50 pounds — plenty of room for souvenirs from your multi-stop trip. 

Now comes the fun part: Deciding where to go. Luckily, with over 30 domestic airports, JAL covers a wide variety of regions. While Tokyo and Osaka are popular tourist hubs — and you are more than welcome to make your first stopover there and stay a while — this complimentary flight gives travelers the chance to see parts of Japan that are equally breathtaking. So, what are some popular destinations that will not disappoint? 

Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, is known for its wild natural beauty, ski resorts, and stunning national parks. In the winter, it's a snowy wonderland for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts (Kiroro and Rusutsu are top-rated resorts) and onsen lovers (check out Jozankei Onsen and Noboribetsu), and in the summer, you can get off the beaten path in the pristine and underrated Shiretoko National Park or hike along flowering lavender fields. Try some mindblowing food like fresh crab, Hakodate ramen, and Hokkaido ice cream, and enjoy the classic Japanese beer Sapporo in — where else? — Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city.

For something completely different, go down south to Okinawa. Tropical islands? Coral reefs? White sand beaches? That's Okinawa, an archipelago of 160 islands. Taste paradise in Yaeyama — which looks more like Aruba than Japan — cruise, snorkel, suntan, and chill. Explore UNESCO World Heritage sites from the Ryukyu Kingdom like the 14th-century Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa's capital. Extend your life to over 100 years by eating the Okinawa way; Okinawa is a "Blue Zone" with more centenarians than anywhere else in the world. The local cuisine focuses heavily on farm-to-table whole-plant foods, especially purple sweet potatoes. 

What about some more low-key, underrated, yet equally unmissable tourist destinations in Japan? To get to the spiritual heart of the country, fly with JAL to Shikoku. Famous for the ancient Shikoku Pilgrimage Route, a 750-mile loop that traverses 88 Buddhist temples, Shikoku is a rural island that is green, soulful, and quiet. Hike the remote Iya Valley, admire contemporary art on the small island of Naoshima, or visit Matsuyama, the largest city in Shikoku known for its hilltop castle.

Another region that is off-the-radar for most is Kyushu, home to cities like Fukuoka and Nagasaki. Travelers of all types will find something interesting here. If you like anime and nature, go to adventurous Yakushima Island, which inspired Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke. Kyushu also happens to be the home to the most active volcano in Japan, which you can get up close and personal with at Mount Aso National Park; a scenic hike will let you take a peek into its caldera, one of the world's largest. To learn more about the history of World War II, visit Nagasaki and its many monuments and museums. To relax, soak in some hot springs in the quaint Yufuin town.

No matter where you choose to go, Japan Airlines can take you there. Although the airline has not mentioned a potential end date to the offer, JAL's free domestic flight campaign might not last forever. Now is a great time to plan that expansive and immersive trip to Japan — with a flight ticket on the house!