Sunday, September 22, 2024 In an effort to manage the overwhelming number of tourists flocking to Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan Airlines (JAL) is offering free domestic flights to encourage international visitors to explore lesser-known regions of Japan. With over 25 million foreign visitors in 2023, Japan’s popularity as a travel destination continues to soar. In May 2024 alone, more than three million international tourists visited the country, contributing to overcrowding in major cities like Kyoto, where issues with tourist behavior have led authorities to consider limiting access to traditional districts such as Gion.
Despite these challenges, Japan’s tourism board remains committed to increasing annual visitor numbers to 60 million. To help distribute tourists more evenly across the country, JAL is promoting free domestic flights for international travelers who book their flights to Japan with the airline. This offer comes as the cost of the Japan Rail Pass saw a significant price increase of 65% on October 1, 2023.
Travelers from select countries, including the U.S., Canada, Singapore, Australia, and several others, can take advantage of this offer by booking their domestic flights at the same time as their international reservation.
This initiative aims to encourage tourists to explore hidden gems across Japan, such as the scenic canals of Yanagawa, often referred to as the “Venice of Kyushu.” For tourists looking to venture beyond the typical routes and experience a different side of Japan, this is a rare opportunity to do so at no extra travel cost, while helping ease the burden on Japan’s most popular destinations..
