Have you recently felt that airfares are getting more expensive?
One reason behind this is the rise in crude oil prices caused by tensions in the Middle East. Airlines are reflecting this impact in ticket prices through fuel surcharges.
In fact, Japan’s two major airlines, JAL and ANA, have announced that they will significantly raise fuel surcharges from June 2026 onward. In other words, there is a strong possibility that flight prices will rise even further from here.
So, what should you do?
The answer is simple.
It’s important to book early now, before prices go up.
We’ve picked the best options for flights, transport, hotels, and activities — so you know exactly where to book.
3 Reasons to Book Flights in April–May
You Can Buy Before Fuel Surcharges Go Up
Fuel surcharges are applied based on the time you purchase your ticket.
So if you buy before the increase takes effect in June,
you may be able to secure your ticket at the current price.
Prices Are More Stable Before the Summer–Autumn Travel Season
From here on, demand will rise rapidly as the summer vacation and autumn travel seasons approach.
The more demand increases, the more likely ticket prices are to rise as well.
Before that, April to May is a relatively stable time for pricing.
There Is a Risk of Further Increases in Oil Prices and Exchange Rates
Fuel surcharges are heavily affected by crude oil prices and exchange rates.
Since there is a possibility they may rise even more, booking early is the safest choice.
Tips to Make Flights to Japan Even a Little Cheaper
Want to travel to Japan this year, but worried that flights to Japan look expensive right now…?
That’s exactly why this is the perfect time to use a few smart tricks to buy your ticket for as little as possible.
Check Narita, Not Just Haneda
If you’re flying to Tokyo, are you only looking at Haneda Airport?
- Haneda: More convenient access, but usually more expensive
- Narita: More flights available, with stronger price competition
Even for the same travel dates, the price difference can sometimes be hundreds of dollars.
Consider Regional Airports Too
Japan has airports all across the country, including other international airports as well.
- Kansai International Airport (Osaka)
- Chubu Centrair International Airport (Nagoya)
- Fukuoka Airport
Depending on where you are departing from, these can often be cheaper than Tokyo. In particular, Fukuoka and Osaka tend to be good options from Asia, while Osaka and Nagoya are often strong candidates from Europe and North America.
Also, from East Asia such as Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, LCCs sometimes fly to regional airports in Japan. These can often be cheaper than the major airports, so they’re especially worth checking!
It’s really convenient when you can use something like Aviasales to check flights from your departure city to multiple destinations on a map♪
With Aviasales Price Map, once you set your departure city, flight prices to various destinations are shown visually.
Use Connecting Flights
Direct flights are convenient, but they are also more expensive. Just one connection can sometimes make your ticket significantly cheaper.
For example, on flights to and from Japan, routes via Incheon can sometimes be a better deal.
Search with Flexible Dates
Just shifting your departure or return date by 1 to 3 days can make a big difference in price.
It’s a waste to search only with fixed dates, so it’s best to compare nearby travel dates as well.
Conclusion｜When It Comes to Flights, Comparison Is Everything
As introduced above, flight prices can vary greatly depending on the following conditions.
- Airport
- Date
- Route
- Airline
In other words, checking them one by one is inefficient.
To Find the Cheapest Fare, Compare Thoroughly with Aviasales!
As introduced above, flight prices can vary greatly depending on the following conditions.
- Airport
- Date
- Route
- Airline
In other words, checking them one by one is inefficient. If you’re searching for flights, the most efficient way is to use a tool that lets you compare multiple sites at once.
With Aviasales, you can search flights around the world and quickly find the cheapest fares.
- Wide-ranging comparison including LCCs
- Cheapest fares by date
- A simple and easy-to-use search screen
Just enter your departure city and destination, and you can comprehensively check countless possible flight patterns.
Summary
- Flight prices are likely to rise even further
- Fuel surcharges will increase especially from June onward
- Early booking in April–May is advantageous
- You can save even more by being smart about airports and dates
And most importantly, always compare before you book.
Before prices go up, check the current market fares now!
