Direct Flights from Hong Kong to Japan — New & Resumed Routes

From Hong Kong — Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

Airlines to Japan

Cathay Pacific (国泰航空)

Hong Kong's flag carrier and one of Asia's leading full-service airlines, a Oneworld Alliance member. Cathay Pacific operates Japan as one of its cornerstone international markets — the airline was flying Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon (now absorbed into Cathay Pacific) to over a dozen Japanese cities before COVID, and the full network has been restored.

Cathay Pacific resumed its Japan services from 2022–2023, progressively restoring frequencies to Tokyo (Narita and Haneda), Osaka (Kansai), Sapporo (New Chitose), Fukuoka, Okinawa (Naha), and Nagoya. The airline offers Business Class and Economy Class on Japan routes, serving both leisure tourists and business travelers. Codeshare arrangements with Japan Airlines (Oneworld partner) extend connectivity across Japan.

By mid-2023, Cathay's Japan network was operating at or above pre-COVID levels on the key routes, with Narita (NRT) and Kansai (KIX) seeing multiple daily frequencies.

HK Express (香港快運航空)

Hong Kong's only LCC and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cathay Pacific Group since 2019. HK Express has been the most dynamic airline in the HKG–Japan market during 2023–2026, adding new routes to regional Japanese destinations at a pace not seen before from Hong Kong.

HK Express already operated to the major Japan cities (Narita, Kansai, Fukuoka, Okinawa, Nagoya, Sapporo) pre-COVID. Its 2024 Japan expansion pushed into new territory with six regional city launches: Hiroshima, Takamatsu, Sendai, Oita, Kagoshima, and Kumamoto. None of these routes previously had LCC service from Hong Kong, making HK Express the first budget carrier to connect HKG with these destinations.

Hiroshima (HIJ): Gateway to western Honshu and Chugoku region, including Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Miyajima Island, and the Hiroshima–Beppu corridor through the Seto Inland Sea. HK Express opens this route to budget-conscious travelers for whom Hiroshima was previously a transit destination via Tokyo or Osaka.

Takamatsu (TAK): Capital of Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku island, home to Ritsurin Garden, Udon culture, and the island art scene of Naoshima. Takamatsu is undervisited by Hong Kong tourists relative to its appeal — HK Express makes it a viable direct destination.

Sendai (SDJ): The largest city in Tohoku (northeast Japan), gateway to Matsushima bay, Yamadera, and the Tohoku shinkansen network. Sendai had no direct LCC link to Hong Kong before HK Express's service.

Oita (OIT): Kyushu's onsen capital, with Beppu and Yufuin — among Japan's most beloved hot spring destinations. HK Express connects Hong Kong's millions of Japan-lovers directly to Japan's most thermal-rich region.

Kagoshima (KOJ): Southern Kyushu's main gateway, featuring active volcano Sakurajima, samurai history (Satsuma domain), and connections to Yakushima island. HK Express adds Kagoshima to Hong Kong's Japan LCC map.

Kumamoto (KMJ): Kyushu's castle city, now home to TSMC's semiconductor campus — the combination of traditional tourism (Kumamoto Castle, Mt. Aso) and new industrial demand makes this route multidimensional.

Greater Bay Airlines (大灣區航空)

Hong Kong's newest full-service carrier, named for the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area economic zone. Greater Bay Airlines launched commercial operations in 2022 with a focus on medium-haul routes from HKG, positioning itself between Cathay Pacific's premium product and HK Express's LCC pricing.

The airline's Japan routes — initially Narita (NRT) and Kansai (KIX), later expanded to Sapporo (CTS) — bring new capacity to the HKG–Japan market and offer HKG travelers a third full-service option alongside Cathay Pacific. Greater Bay Airlines holds its own Air Operator Certificate and operates independently, though it has backing from established Hong Kong investors. Japan is among its priority markets given the depth of Hong Kong–Japan leisure and business demand.

Japanese Airports Now Served from Hong Kong (2023–2026 New/Resumed)

Getting Around Japan

From the airport to your hotel, and beyond:

Hotels in Japan

Find accommodation near your arrival airport. Select a city to see available hotels.

Prices via Agoda — indicative rates for 1 night, 2 adults.