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China and Japan are each other's most important bilateral aviation partners by total seats. Before COVID, China–Japan was one of the world's busiest international corridors, with dozens of Chinese and Japanese carriers operating hundreds of weekly flights between major Chinese cities and Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and regional Japanese airports.
The recovery of China–Japan air travel has been more complex than other corridors. Domestic Chinese aviation restrictions, capacity constraints due to Russian airspace closure (forcing longer routing), and bilateral diplomatic dynamics all contributed to a slower recovery trajectory. However, from 2023 onwards, resumptions accelerated significantly, with Chinese carriers restoring services to their major Japan routes and gradually rebuilding frequency to pre-COVID levels.
China's multiple aviation hubs — Beijing (two airports), Shanghai (two airports), Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xiamen, and others — mean the China–Japan market operates from numerous departure points with different airlines. This page summarizes the major resumed routes.
The recovery of China–Japan air travel has been more complex than other corridors. Domestic Chinese aviation restrictions, capacity constraints due to Russian airspace closure (forcing longer routing), and bilateral diplomatic dynamics all contributed to a slower recovery trajectory. However, from 2023 onwards, resumptions accelerated significantly, with Chinese carriers restoring services to their major Japan routes and gradually rebuilding frequency to pre-COVID levels.
China's multiple aviation hubs — Beijing (two airports), Shanghai (two airports), Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xiamen, and others — mean the China–Japan market operates from numerous departure points with different airlines. This page summarizes the major resumed routes.
Jump to departure city:
Beijing (PEK/PKX) |
Shanghai (PVG/SHA) |
Guangzhou (CAN) |
Chengdu (CTU) |
Other cities
From Beijing — Capital Airport (PEK) & Daxing Airport (PKX)
Beijing has two major international airports: the historic Capital International Airport (PEK, northeast of the city) and the newer Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX, southwest), opened in 2019. Japan routes operate predominantly from PEK, home to Air China's hub, though some services use PKX. Japan is a critical market for Beijing — the two capitals have extensive political, business, and cultural connections, and the Chinese government's capital hosts a large Japanese expatriate community.
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Air China (中国国際航空) | Resumed 2023 — multiple daily |
|---|---|---|
| Haneda / Tokyo (HND) | Air China | Resumed 2023 |
| Kansai / Osaka (KIX) | Air China | Resumed 2023 |
| Nagoya (NGO) | Air China | Resumed 2023 |
| Fukuoka (FUK) | Air China | Resumed 2023 |
| Sapporo / New Chitose (CTS) | Air China | Resumed 2023–2024 |
From Shanghai — Pudong (PVG) & Hongqiao (SHA)
Shanghai operates two airports: Pudong International Airport (PVG, primary international hub) and Hongqiao International Airport (SHA, closer to the city center, handles some short and medium-haul flights). Japan routes operate from both airports, with China Eastern and China Eastern's subsidiary Shanghai Airlines anchoring the market. Shanghai has Japan's largest Chinese expatriate community and very deep business ties.
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | China Eastern (中国東方航空) | Resumed 2023 — multiple daily |
|---|---|---|
| Haneda / Tokyo (HND) | China Eastern | Resumed 2023 |
| Kansai / Osaka (KIX) | China Eastern | Resumed 2023 |
| Nagoya (NGO) | China Eastern | Resumed 2023 |
| Fukuoka (FUK) | China Eastern | Resumed 2023 |
| Sapporo / New Chitose (CTS) | China Eastern | Resumed 2023–2024 |
| Naha / Okinawa (OKA) | China Eastern | Resumed 2023–2024 |
From Guangzhou — Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (IATA: CAN) is one of China's busiest airports and the hub for China Southern Airlines. The Guangdong Province region — encompassing Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan, and the Pearl River Delta manufacturing belt — is heavily industrially connected to Japan (Toyota, Honda, Panasonic have major production here) and is home to a large Japanese corporate population. Guangdong is also a major departure region for Chinese tourists to Japan.
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | China Southern (中国南方航空) | Resumed 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Haneda / Tokyo (HND) | China Southern | Resumed 2023 |
| Kansai / Osaka (KIX) | China Southern | Resumed 2023 |
| Fukuoka (FUK) | China Southern | Resumed 2023 |
From Chengdu — Tianfu International Airport (TFU) & Shuangliu Airport (CTU)
Chengdu, Sichuan province's capital, is western China's largest aviation hub. Chengdu operates two airports since Tianfu International Airport (TFU) opened in 2021. Japan routes largely used the older Shuangliu Airport (CTU) and have been resuming on both airports. Sichuan Airlines (川航) is the dominant carrier on Chengdu–Japan routes. Chengdu attracts Japanese tourists interested in giant pandas and Sichuan cuisine, and has Japanese manufacturing investment.
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Sichuan Airlines (四川航空) | Resumed 2023–2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansai / Osaka (KIX) | Sichuan Airlines | Resumed 2023–2024 |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Air China | Resumed 2023–2024 |
Other Departure Cities
China's vast geography means Japan-bound routes operate from many secondary hubs. Key additional departure cities with resumed Japan services include:
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Xiamen Air (厦門航空) from Xiamen (XMN) | Resumed 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansai / Osaka (KIX) | Xiamen Air from Xiamen (XMN) | Resumed 2023 |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Xiamen Air from Nanjing (NKG) | Resumed 2023 |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Shenzhen Airlines (深圳航空) from Shenzhen (SZX) | Resumed 2023–2024 |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Various carriers from Dalian (DLC) | Resumed 2023 |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Various carriers from Wuhan (WUH) | Resumed 2023–2024 |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Various carriers from Hangzhou (HGH) | Resumed 2023 |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Various carriers from Qingdao (TAO) | Resumed 2023 |
Major Airlines to Japan from China
- Air China (中国国際航空 / CA)
- China's flag carrier and Star Alliance member, headquartered in Beijing. Air China operates the widest Japan network from China, with routes from Beijing Capital (PEK) to Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Sapporo. Air China also serves Japan from other Chinese cities including Chengdu and Xi'an. The airline is the primary carrier for the Beijing–Tokyo and Beijing–Osaka routes, typically using Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft.
- China Eastern Airlines (中国東方航空 / MU)
- Shanghai-based full-service carrier and SkyTeam member. China Eastern operates extensively between Shanghai and Japan — from Pudong (PVG) to Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Okinawa, and from Hongqiao (SHA) on shorter routes. China Eastern also operates Japan routes from other Chinese cities (Nanjing, Xi'an, Qingdao) through its network. Shanghai–Tokyo is one of the world's highest-volume city pairs.
- China Southern Airlines (中国南方航空 / CZ)
- Guangzhou-based carrier, the largest Chinese airline by fleet size and a SkyTeam member. China Southern operates Japan routes from Guangzhou (CAN) to Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, and from other southern Chinese cities. The Guangzhou–Japan corridor serves the Pearl River Delta's massive manufacturing and business travel market as well as leisure tourism from southern China.
- Xiamen Air (厦門航空 / MF)
- Fujian province carrier and China Southern subsidiary, based at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport. Xiamen Air operates Japan routes from Xiamen (XMN) and has expanded to serve Japan from Nanjing and other cities in its network. The Xiamen–Japan corridor is particularly significant given Fujian's historical ties to Japan (many Japanese families have Fujian ancestral connections, and Japanese tourism to Fujian's historic cities is notable).
- Sichuan Airlines (四川航空 / 3U)
- Chengdu-based carrier operating from western China. Sichuan Airlines resumed Japan routes from Chengdu — primarily Tokyo (Narita) and Osaka (Kansai) — serving both business travelers from China's western tech and manufacturing hub and the growing Japan-tourism segment among Chengdu's affluent consumers.
Getting Around Japan
From the airport to your hotel, and beyond:
Rail / Shinkansen — Bullet trains, local rail and rail passes in Japan (trip.com)
Car Rental — Self-drive travel around Japan (trip.com)
Airport Transfer — Private and shared transfers from major Japanese airports (Klook)
Car Rental — Self-drive travel around Japan (trip.com)
Airport Transfer — Private and shared transfers from major Japanese airports (Klook)
Hotels in Japan
Find accommodation near your arrival airport. Select a city to see available hotels.
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Prices via Agoda — indicative rates for 1 night, 2 adults.
Klook.com
