Japan travel guide
Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru have direct flights to Japan, taking about eight to nine and a half hours, though schedules vary. Pune, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad usually need one connection. Most travellers land at Tokyo Haneda or Narita, and Osaka Kansai is another gateway. Within Japan, trains and the Shinkansen do most of the work.
Facts checked 2 Nov 2026
Japan is a long flight from India, and the best route depends on your departure city and where your trip starts and ends. Most visitors land in Tokyo, travel by rail to Kyoto and Osaka, and fly home from Osaka where fares permit. This guide explains flights, airports, local transport and practical arrival tips. Check schedules with your airline, because direct services can be seasonal.
Direct flights are available from some Indian cities. Delhi has direct service, with flights of about eight hours, and Mumbai has direct service of about nine hours, though Mumbai services may be seasonal or schedule-dependent. Bengaluru has a direct service of about eight and a half hours, but availability depends on the schedule. Verify operating dates before booking.
Other cities usually connect through hubs in Southeast Asia, the Gulf or East Asia. The routes below show typical flight times.
Check whether a direct service operates on your date before you rely on it.
Common entry airports are Tokyo Haneda (HND), Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Osaka Kansai (KIX), and sometimes Nagoya Chubu Centrair (NGO) depending on the airline. Haneda is usually more convenient for central Tokyo, while Narita is the principal gateway for many long-haul services. Compare arrival times and transfer costs. Airport transfers range from about ¥1,000 to ¥3,500, depending on airport and mode.
Open-jaw routing means flying into one airport and out of another, such as into Tokyo and out of Osaka. It avoids a backtracking train ride, because the usual route runs east to west. It works where fares permit, so compare prices for open-jaw and return options. One-stop routes can sometimes be better value than direct flights. Avoid short self-transfer connections with separate tickets, because baggage and missed-connection risk rise. A well-timed one-stop itinerary on one ticket is often more reliable. Flights are not part of our packages, so book them yourself.
Japan's local transport is among the world's most efficient. In cities, use trains, subways and buses. IC cards such as Suica, PASMO or ICOCA work for urban transport where accepted. The Shinkansen is the fastest intercity option, and you should reserve seats in peak periods. Use buses where rail does not reach, and domestic flights for long routes such as Tokyo to Hokkaido. Taxis are convenient but expensive. A typical Tokyo metro journey costs roughly ¥180 to ¥330.
Maybe not. Eligible visitors can buy applicable rail passes, but nationwide passes are no longer automatically economical for a standard Tokyo and Kyoto itinerary. Compare the current price with individual tickets. Travellers often say local subways and private lines matter more than a JR Pass inside cities. Our packages list the Shinkansen travel they include.
Allow time for immigration and airport transfers before booking same-day connections. You need a visa before you fly, so see the Japan visa guide for Indians. Carry some yen for small restaurants, shrines and lockers. Station walks can be long, so pack light and consider luggage forwarding. Basic English is common in airports and hubs but limited elsewhere, so keep a translation app ready.
A common route is Delhi or Mumbai to Tokyo, then Shinkansen to Kyoto and Osaka, and home from Osaka where fares permit. Use Tokyo as the first base for three or four days and Kyoto as the cultural base for two or three. Our Japan Golden Route 7N follows this line.
This guide is compiled from published tourism, weather and transport information and traveller reports, and was last checked on 2 November 2026. Flight schedules, fares and rules change, so confirm details with airlines and official sources before you book.
Return to the Japan travel guide, see places to visit in Japan, check Japan trip cost, read the best time to visit Japan, or browse our Japan tour packages.
Ready-made trips
Tokyo 2N · Hakone 1N · Kyoto 3N · Osaka 1N
Tokyo 3N · Kyoto 2N · Osaka 2N
Tokyo 3N · Hakone 1N · Kyoto 2N · Osaka 1N
*Approximate price per person, excl. GST. Contact us for exact pricing.
Packages cover stays, transfers, sightseeing and meals as listed. Flights are not included. Prices are per person, excl. GST.
FAQs
Short answers to what travellers ask about Japan.
Yes, from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, though schedules vary and some services are seasonal. Verify operating dates before booking. Other cities usually connect through Southeast Asian hubs, Gulf hubs or other hubs, with one stop.
From Delhi it takes about eight hours, from Mumbai about nine, and from Bengaluru about eight and a half. One-stop routes from Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad take about nine and a half to eleven hours, and often longer overall.
Haneda is usually more convenient for central Tokyo, while Narita is the principal gateway for many long-haul services. Compare arrival times, fares and transfer costs, which range from about ¥1,000 to ¥3,500 depending on airport and mode.
Yes, where fares permit. This open-jaw routing saves a backtracking train ride on a Tokyo to Osaka trip. Compare it against a return fare, and book it on one ticket where possible.
Not automatically. The nationwide pass is no longer always economical for a standard Tokyo and Kyoto trip. Compare its current price with individual tickets before buying, and use IC cards for city transport.
Use the Shinkansen, the fastest option between major regions. Reserve seats during peak periods. In cities, use trains and subways with an IC card such as Suica, PASMO or ICOCA.
Yes. Indian ordinary-passport holders generally need a visa before travel, and visa on arrival is not generally available. Apply early and confirm the checklist with the Embassy of Japan in India or its authorised centre.
It depends on fare and schedule. One-stop routes can be competitive but may add a long stretch to the journey. A well-timed one-stop itinerary on a single ticket is often more reliable than separate tickets.
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