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North America–Japan is one of the busiest and most competitive transpacific air corridors in the world. Nonstop flights from the US West Coast to Tokyo take approximately 10–12 hours; from the East Coast, around 14 hours. Both American carriers (United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines) and Japanese carriers (Japan Airlines, ANA) serve multiple transpacific routes, and Air Canada connects Canada's West and East Coast cities to Japan as well.
The transpacific market recovered strongly from COVID, with demand driven by both leisure travel (Japan has become one of the world's most visited destinations for North American tourists) and business/VFR traffic between the large Japanese-American communities in California, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest. The yen's weakness against the dollar throughout 2023–2025 further boosted North American inbound tourism to Japan, making the country exceptionally affordable for dollar-denominated travelers.
Hawaii occupies a special position in the North America–Japan corridor. Honolulu (HNL) is home to a large Japanese-American community with historical ties to Japan, and Hawaiian Airlines has long served the Honolulu–Japan route, including nonstop services to Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Okinawa — making it the most Japan-focused US carrier by number of Japanese city destinations.
The transpacific market recovered strongly from COVID, with demand driven by both leisure travel (Japan has become one of the world's most visited destinations for North American tourists) and business/VFR traffic between the large Japanese-American communities in California, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest. The yen's weakness against the dollar throughout 2023–2025 further boosted North American inbound tourism to Japan, making the country exceptionally affordable for dollar-denominated travelers.
Hawaii occupies a special position in the North America–Japan corridor. Honolulu (HNL) is home to a large Japanese-American community with historical ties to Japan, and Hawaiian Airlines has long served the Honolulu–Japan route, including nonstop services to Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Okinawa — making it the most Japan-focused US carrier by number of Japanese city destinations.
Jump to departure city:
Los Angeles (LAX) |
San Francisco (SFO) |
New York (JFK/EWR) |
Seattle (SEA) |
Chicago (ORD) |
Dallas (DFW) |
Houston (IAH) |
Honolulu (HNL) |
Canada (YVR / YYZ) |
Guam & Palau
From Los Angeles — LAX
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the busiest transpacific gateway in the United States, home to a massive Japanese-American community, Japanese corporate headquarters, and the entertainment and technology industries with strong Japan business ties. LAX–Tokyo is one of the world's highest-volume transpacific city pairs. Multiple carriers compete on this route, including United, Delta, American Airlines, JAL, and ANA. Tokyo Haneda (HND) has become the preferred Japan gateway for many travelers due to its central Tokyo location, while Narita (NRT) offers extensive connections to domestic Japan.
| Haneda / Tokyo (HND) | United Airlines (ユナイテッド航空) | Daily nonstop |
|---|---|---|
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | United Airlines | Daily nonstop |
| Haneda / Tokyo (HND) | Delta Air Lines (デルタ航空) | Daily nonstop |
| Haneda / Tokyo (HND) | American Airlines (アメリカン航空) | Daily nonstop |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Japan Airlines (JAL / 日本航空) | Daily nonstop |
| Haneda / Tokyo (HND) | Japan Airlines (JAL) | Daily nonstop |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | ANA (全日本空輸) | Daily nonstop |
| Haneda / Tokyo (HND) | ANA | Daily nonstop |
From San Francisco — SFO
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is United Airlines' main transpacific hub. The San Francisco Bay Area — home to Silicon Valley — has deep technology and venture capital ties with Japan, and the large Japanese-American community in the Bay Area makes SFO–Japan a significant route. United Airlines operates its most frequent transpacific Japan service from SFO, flying to multiple Japanese cities including Narita and Osaka. ANA and JAL also serve SFO with competing nonstops.
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | United Airlines | Multiple daily nonstops — flagship transpacific hub |
|---|---|---|
| Haneda / Tokyo (HND) | United Airlines | Daily nonstop |
| Kansai / Osaka (KIX) | United Airlines | Nonstop — seasonal and year-round service |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Japan Airlines (JAL) | Daily nonstop |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | ANA | Daily nonstop |
From New York — JFK / EWR
New York is the dominant US East Coast departure point for Japan, served primarily through John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). New York–Tokyo is a premium corporate route with heavy demand from Wall Street, fashion, media, and cultural industries with deep Japan connections. The flight time from JFK to Tokyo is approximately 14 hours westbound. JAL and ANA both serve JFK, and United serves Newark. American Airlines also operates JFK–Tokyo Haneda nonstop.
| Haneda / Tokyo (HND) | Japan Airlines (JAL) | Daily nonstop from JFK |
|---|---|---|
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Japan Airlines (JAL) | Daily nonstop from JFK |
| Haneda / Tokyo (HND) | ANA | Daily nonstop from JFK |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | ANA | Daily nonstop from JFK |
| Haneda / Tokyo (HND) | American Airlines | Daily nonstop from JFK |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | United Airlines | Daily nonstop from EWR (Newark) |
| Haneda / Tokyo (HND) | United Airlines | Daily nonstop from EWR (Newark) |
From Seattle — SEA
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is Delta Air Lines' transpacific hub on the US West Coast. Seattle has strong Japan connections through Boeing (which supplies Japan's airlines), Microsoft, Amazon, and a historically significant Japanese-American community (particularly impactful given the internment history during WWII). The Pacific Northwest's proximity to Japan makes SEA one of the shorter mainland US–Japan transpacific hops. Delta and ANA both serve Seattle with nonstop Japan flights.
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Delta Air Lines | Daily nonstop — transpacific hub |
|---|---|---|
| Haneda / Tokyo (HND) | Delta Air Lines | Daily nonstop |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | ANA | Nonstop service |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Hawaiian Airlines (ハワイアン航空) | Resumed May 2025 |
From Chicago — ORD
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is one of the world's busiest airports and a major American Airlines and United Airlines hub. Chicago has significant Japanese manufacturing (Sumitomo, Mitsubishi, etc.) and business connections, and the Midwest's Japanese-American community is concentrated in the Chicago metro area. American Airlines operates Chicago O'Hare to Tokyo Narita nonstop, connecting the US Midwest directly to Japan without a West Coast stop.
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | American Airlines | Daily nonstop |
|---|---|---|
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | ANA | Nonstop — codeshare with American Airlines |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | United Airlines | Nonstop service |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Japan Airlines (JAL / 日本航空) | New from May 2025 |
From Dallas — DFW
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is American Airlines' global hub. DFW–Tokyo Narita is American's flagship transpacific nonstop service from its home hub, connecting the US South/Central corridor — including Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and surrounding states — directly to Japan. Japan Airlines (JAL) is American's Oneworld partner and code-shares on this route.
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | American Airlines | Daily nonstop — DFW flagship transpacific route |
|---|---|---|
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Japan Airlines (JAL) — code-share | Via American Airlines operation |
From Houston — IAH
Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is a major United Airlines hub connecting the US Gulf Coast — home to the world's energy capital, the Texas Medical Center, and NASA — with Japan. United Airlines has operated Houston–Tokyo nonstop for years. In March 2025, ZIPAIR Tokyo (ジップエア東京), the long-haul low-cost carrier of the JAL Group, launched a new nonstop route between Houston and Tokyo Narita, bringing an affordable transpacific option to Texas travelers and tapping into the large Japanese corporate community present in Houston's energy and petrochemical sectors.
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | ZIPAIR Tokyo (ジップエア東京 / ZG) | New from March 2025 — JAL Group LCC |
|---|
From Honolulu — HNL
Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) has a unique position in the Japan market. Hawaii has had historical ties to Japan since the early 20th century, with Japanese plantation workers forming the foundation of a large Japanese-American community. Today, Japanese tourists are among Hawaii's largest visitor groups, and HNL is one of the most Japan-served US airports by number of nonstop city pairs.
Hawaiian Airlines historically operated the most extensive Japan network from Honolulu, serving Tokyo (Narita and Haneda), Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Okinawa — giving Japan visitors from Honolulu direct access to major regional Japanese airports beyond just Tokyo. Japan Airlines, ANA, and other carriers also serve HNL nonstop from Japan.
Hawaiian Airlines historically operated the most extensive Japan network from Honolulu, serving Tokyo (Narita and Haneda), Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Okinawa — giving Japan visitors from Honolulu direct access to major regional Japanese airports beyond just Tokyo. Japan Airlines, ANA, and other carriers also serve HNL nonstop from Japan.
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Hawaiian Airlines (ハワイアン航空) | Nonstop service |
|---|---|---|
| Haneda / Tokyo (HND) | Hawaiian Airlines | Nonstop service |
| Kansai / Osaka (KIX) | Hawaiian Airlines | Nonstop service |
| Fukuoka (FUK) | Hawaiian Airlines | Nonstop service — seasonal |
| Sapporo / New Chitose (CTS) | Hawaiian Airlines | Nonstop service — seasonal |
| Naha / Okinawa (OKA) | Hawaiian Airlines | Nonstop service — seasonal |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Japan Airlines (JAL) | Daily nonstop |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | ANA | Daily nonstop |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | United Airlines | Daily nonstop |
From Canada — Vancouver (YVR) & Toronto (YYZ)
Canada has two primary departure points for Japan: Vancouver and Toronto. Air Canada serves both cities with nonstop flights to Tokyo, and the routes are popular with Canada's Japanese-Canadian communities (particularly in British Columbia's Lower Mainland and Toronto's Japantown) as well as business travelers.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the closer West Coast gateway — Vancouver has a large Japanese-Canadian community and is a popular stopover point for Japan-bound travelers from across Canada. Air Canada operates YVR–Tokyo Narita nonstop. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is Air Canada's main hub and serves Tokyo nonstop, though the flight is significantly longer from Canada's East Coast.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the closer West Coast gateway — Vancouver has a large Japanese-Canadian community and is a popular stopover point for Japan-bound travelers from across Canada. Air Canada operates YVR–Tokyo Narita nonstop. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is Air Canada's main hub and serves Tokyo nonstop, though the flight is significantly longer from Canada's East Coast.
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Air Canada (エア・カナダ) | Daily nonstop from Vancouver (YVR) |
|---|---|---|
| Haneda / Tokyo (HND) | Air Canada | Daily nonstop from Vancouver (YVR) |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Air Canada | Daily nonstop from Toronto (YYZ) |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | Japan Airlines (JAL) | Nonstop from Vancouver (YVR) |
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | ANA | Nonstop from Vancouver (YVR) |
From Guam & the Pacific — GUM / ROR
Guam (GUM), a US territory in the western Pacific, sits approximately 2,100 km south of Tokyo and serves as a key aviation hub between the Americas and Japan. In July 2025, T'way Air (ティーウェイ航空), a South Korean low-cost carrier, resumed nonstop service between Guam and Kansai International Airport (Osaka), reopening an affordable transpacific route for travelers via Guam to western Japan.
The Republic of Palau — whose main gateway is Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR) in Koror — gained a direct link to Tokyo in October 2025 when United Airlines launched new nonstop service to Narita. Palau is celebrated worldwide for its exceptional marine biodiversity and pristine coral reefs, and Japanese visitors have long represented the largest foreign tourist group. The new United route significantly improves access, replacing the previously required connection through Guam or Manila.
The Republic of Palau — whose main gateway is Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR) in Koror — gained a direct link to Tokyo in October 2025 when United Airlines launched new nonstop service to Narita. Palau is celebrated worldwide for its exceptional marine biodiversity and pristine coral reefs, and Japanese visitors have long represented the largest foreign tourist group. The new United route significantly improves access, replacing the previously required connection through Guam or Manila.
| Kansai / Osaka (KIX) | T'way Air (ティーウェイ航空) — from Guam (GUM) | Resumed July 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Narita / Tokyo (NRT) | United Airlines — from Koror / Palau (ROR) | New from October 2025 |
Major Airlines to Japan from North America
- United Airlines (ユナイテッド航空 / UA)
- The largest North American operator to Japan by frequency. United's primary transpacific hub is San Francisco (SFO), from which it operates multiple daily nonstops to Tokyo Narita and Haneda, and seasonal nonstops to Osaka. United also serves Japan from Los Angeles (LAX), New York Newark (EWR), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Houston (IAH), Denver (DEN), Washington Dulles (IAD), and Honolulu (HNL). Star Alliance partner with ANA, enabling extensive code-sharing and frequent flyer reciprocity.
- Delta Air Lines (デルタ航空 / DL)
- Delta's transpacific operations are anchored at Seattle (SEA), from which it serves Tokyo Narita and Haneda daily. Delta also serves Japan from Los Angeles (LAX), Minneapolis (MSP), and Honolulu (HNL). SkyTeam alliance partner with Korean Air; also has a joint venture agreement with Japan Airlines (JAL) which is unusual given JAL is Oneworld. Delta and JAL's partnership gives passengers extensive scheduling and mileage benefits across the Pacific.
- American Airlines (アメリカン航空 / AA)
- American's Japan network focuses on premium city pairs: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Tokyo Narita, Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo Haneda, New York JFK to Tokyo Haneda, and Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Tokyo Narita. Oneworld alliance partner with Japan Airlines (JAL) — the most synergistic partnership in the transpacific, with deep code-sharing, joint marketing, and lounge reciprocity. American uses Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner on Japan routes.
- Japan Airlines (日本航空 / JAL)
- Japan's flagship carrier and Oneworld member, headquartered in Tokyo. JAL serves the transpacific extensively: from Tokyo (both NRT and HND) to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Chicago (code-share), Boston, Dallas (code-share), Vancouver, and Honolulu. JAL is the premium Japanese carrier of choice for many North American travelers, offering extensive Japan domestic connections from Narita and Haneda.
- ANA — All Nippon Airways (全日本空輸 / NH)
- Japan's largest carrier by fleet and Star Alliance member, headquartered in Tokyo. ANA serves the transpacific from Tokyo (NRT and HND) to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York JFK, Seattle, Chicago, Vancouver, and Honolulu. ANA is Star Alliance partners with United, enabling a comprehensive joint venture on transpacific routes with coordinated pricing and scheduling.
- Hawaiian Airlines (ハワイアン航空 / HA)
- Honolulu-based carrier with the most diverse Japan route network from Hawaii. Hawaiian Airlines uniquely serves Tokyo (NRT and HND), Osaka (KIX), Fukuoka (FUK), Sapporo (CTS), and Okinawa (OKA) nonstop from Honolulu — giving travelers from Hawaii unmatched direct access to Japan's regional cities. Hawaiian targets the large Japanese tourist market to Hawaii and the Japanese-American market to Japan. In 2024, Hawaiian Airlines completed its merger with Alaska Airlines.
- Air Canada (エア・カナダ / AC)
- Canada's flag carrier and Star Alliance member. Air Canada serves Tokyo Narita and Haneda nonstop from Vancouver (YVR) and Tokyo Narita from Toronto (YYZ). Air Canada's Vancouver hub is particularly important for Japan service — YVR is geographically one of the closer North American airports to Japan, making it a natural gateway for Pacific travel. Star Alliance partnership with ANA enables smooth connections and mileage benefits.
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
