Japan Launches Program Offering Free Flights to Tourists to Explore Regional Cities
Planning a trip to Japan often starts with the usual two-city plan. Tokyo’s bright skyline and Kyoto’s historic districts grab most of the attention, and many travelers assume that’s where the trip begins and ends. Japan seems ready to change that train of thought by offering visitors a new incentive: domestic flights priced at zero dollars.
Interest has boomed since the announcement, partly because it sounded unusually generous and partly because Japan’s travel surge has created pressure points that need solutions. Government officials have said they want visitors to branch out, and airlines stepped in with plans to encourage travel into the regions.
It marks a noticeable change in how the country hopes people will explore. The program details explain how wide that invitation actually is. With curiosity already high, the next step is breaking down how these free flights work.
JAL’s Ongoing Free Domestic Flight Offer
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Helmy oved
Japan Airlines introduced a promotion allowing eligible international visitors to book domestic flights at no extra fare when the domestic leg is added to a JAL long-haul ticket. Travelers flying into Japan through JAL routes can choose a connection to any of the 64 airports in its network. The program was launched in 2024 and continues without an announced end date.
Conditions vary by region. Travelers arriving from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China are subject to a $100 stopover fee if they remain in their entry city for more than 24 hours. Visitors traveling from the other listed countries are exempt from this cost. Checked bags are included—two in Economy and Premium Economy, and three in Business and First Class.
The savings depend on international airfare comparisons. Some travelers find the domestic leg genuinely free when paired with a competitively priced JAL ticket, while others end up paying more overall. Even so, the program makes it easier to reach regions many travelers would normally skip.
ANA’s Limited Campaign For UK And European Travelers
All Nippon Airways launched a separate offer with the Japan National Tourism Organization. Visitors flying in from the UK and Europe can access up to two domestic flights at no additional charge when those flights are booked in conjunction with an ANA international booking. The reservation window runs from November 24, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and travelers can schedule domestic segments for dates beyond that period.
Taxes and fees still apply, and availability varies. Bookings can be made through ANA’s website, travel agents, or ANA offices located outside Japan. ANA’s network spans more than 40 domestic hubs, thus opening the door to destinations that rarely appear in standard itineraries.
The partnership highlights areas that see fewer tourists, including northern prefectures, coastal towns, and the islands farther south. The goal aligns with Japan’s broader effort to expand tourism into regions with untapped potential.
Why Japan Wants Visitors To Explore Beyond The Main Cities
Image via Getty Images/kitchakron
Japan welcomed 36.9 million visitors in 2024, surpassing all previous records. A large portion of that crowd heads straight to Tokyo and Kyoto. Popular areas faced real strain in recent years. In Kyoto’s Gion district, local leaders posted signs and fines to discourage tourists from entering private alleys. Mount Fuji set a daily limit of 4,000 climbers and raised its required fee for the 2025 season.
National surveys indicate a widespread interest in visiting rural parts of the country, but fewer than 10 percent of travelers actually act on it. Free domestic flights remove one of the most significant barriers for travelers who want to see more than the usual stops.
Regional economies also benefit from this, as smaller cities attract more visitors and crowds spread out, rather than concentrating in the busiest areas. It creates a more balanced tourism environment at a moment when the country is experiencing historic growth.
What Travelers Stand To Gain
Adding more destinations at the same price changes the way people plan their trips. JAL’s program allows international travelers to continue deeper into the country at no additional fare. ANA’s promotion offers UK and European travelers two domestic legs, which makes multi-city trips far easier to justify.
These deals make it practical to link Tokyo or Osaka with Hokkaido’s ski towns, Kyushu’s hot springs, or Okinawa’s island chain without adding hundreds of dollars in airfare.
The Bigger Picture
Image via Getty Images/Satoshi-K
Japan is experiencing rapid growth in travel and has set a goal of reaching 60 million visitors by 2030. Free flights expand travel options and support the country’s long-term plans to balance tourism across all regions. Airlines now play a central role in reshaping how travelers experience Japan, and these programs show how serious the country is about encouraging exploration beyond the familiar cities.