This was posted 5 months 18 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Jetstar Return For Free to Japan and South Korea

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Jetstar Return For Free to Japan and South Korea
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ryefig on 27/01/2026 - 13:03 jetstar.com (20858 clicks)
Last edited 27/01/2026 - 13:08

Jetstar is running a return for free sale to/from Japan and South Korea.

It is currently open to Jetstar Club members and goes on sale to the public from 28 January.

There are a variety of flight dates spanning across 2026 so best to have a look through.

From the T&Cs: Book an outbound Starter fare and you will receive one return Starter fare free. Selected flights. Only available from the same arrival and departure ports and must be purchased in a single booking. Availability is limited (not available on all flights or days). Limited availability on school and public holiday weekends. Checked baggage not included.

Travel Airfare Asia Instagrampost Japan South Korea

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  • w33w00 on 27/01/2026 - 13:12

    This seems like a pretty good deal on the surface, however I haven't ever travelled to Japan, let alone internationally in almost 10 years. I'm very interested though and I'd be travelling alone.

    For the more experienced, where would you suggest flying into? Any general hints/tips for travel to Japan? Thank you so much in advance!

    • 8
    • Gav on 27/01/2026 - 13:15

      There's a very active thread in Whirlpool Forums (Travel section). I'd suggest starting there for hints/tips. Japan is awesome to visit, solo or otherwise. Done it solo many times. Just need to get out of your comfort zone a bit to fully enjoy (e.g. food choice, going to a sento).

      • 15
      • jv on 27/01/2026 - 14:40

        going to a sento

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgnTnWIhkz0&t=46s

        • -2
      • Roe Jogan on 30/01/2026 - 13:42

        i did Thailand solo, shit was fun but people speak english there, hows japan?

        • 0
        • dangerdanger on 30/01/2026 - 16:22

          They will try 150% but sometimes things get lost in translation.
          Easy though - get the translate google app. Type up the question and show them your phone.
          Also it will translate visual words on-the-fly. Excellent app.

          • 0
    • jcft on 27/01/2026 - 13:21

      Haneda Airport is closer to CBD of Tokyo
      Plus arrive anywhere during daylight - more public transport as taxi can be expensive

      • 8
      • AsukaST on 27/01/2026 - 14:18

        Depends on which part of CBD. If you're staying in Ikebukuro or Shinjuku, NRT or HND doesn't make much difference.

        • 1
        • Kool Gui 42069 on 27/01/2026 - 17:10

          In my experience it does. Also the train is a lot cheaper and HND is a lot less packed.

          But I agree it isn't a total game changer. If the prices are the same I'd go with HND (also I'd much rather fly one of the Japanese airlines that goes to HND than jetstar lol), as long as both are direct.

          If the difference is like 150-200 bucks more to go-to HND, then id go-to NRT.

          • 7
          • AsukaST on 27/01/2026 - 18:03

            @Kool Gui 42069: Nah it really doesn't.
            From NRT to 池袋, it's best to take the 京成skyliner＆JR 山手線with a total of 61 mins.
            Tips is get 京成skyliner cheap tickets on Pelago when it offers 28% cashback on Shopback + 8% bonus with Apple Pay + 2% bonus with Westpack/BOM/StG, which brings the total costs down to around 1780JPY.

            From HND to 池袋, it's best to take the monorail＆JR 山手線 with a total of 53 mins, or take the 京急線 & JR 山手線 with a total of 58 mins but 190JPY cheaper.

            I've fly in/out Japan 50+ times, been to 45 out of 47 prefectures and I lived in there for a while.

            • 9
            • Kool Gui 42069 on 27/01/2026 - 19:02

              @AsukaST: But still less busy, no need to do whatever crazy ticket cash back stuff and more direct flights from Australia on more premium Japanese airlines than jetstar.

              • 0
              • AsukaST on 27/01/2026 - 19:12

                @Kool Gui 42069: There is no direct flights from MEL to HND and I am not happy with that.
                In fact, there is only 1 direct QF flight from MEL to Tokyo, which is even worse than Jetstar because QF's A330 is so old that it breaks down and delays almost everyday. There is another 1 JAL flight to NRT but usually very expensive.

                That cashback thing isn't really that crazy or complicated. They run it once or twice a month, usually 23%-28%. Pelago is a company under Singapore Airlines.

                • 1
            • Spiderpants on 27/01/2026 - 19:13

              @AsukaST: Yamonote+monorail is like 700 yen and you don't have to jump through any of those hoops, just tap your suica and go.

              • 1
              • AsukaST on 27/01/2026 - 19:17

                @Spiderpants: Monorail is often packed but Skyliner I have my own seat and luggage rack.
                Train tickets from NRT may be more expensive but you get cheaper air ticket than HND. Whether HND is better than NRT depends on which area of Tokyo you are staying.

                • 1
      • spock on 27/01/2026 - 14:22

        Yep Haneda is the best airport to fly into for sure unfortunately there's no flights from Brisbane direct it's a pain in the ass .

        • 1
    • nerd1 on 27/01/2026 - 13:21

      Tokyo over crowded, expensive. Osaka better option. If you can fly to any other cities probably cheaper and less people.

      • 0
      • PainToad on 27/01/2026 - 13:24

        Tokyo over crowded

        That’s kind of the point. Like saying Europe has too many old buildings.

        • 57
          • PainToad on 27/01/2026 - 16:57

            @jv: Listen, don't mention the war. You mentioned it once, but I think you got away with it all right.

            • 8
      • adam7070 on 27/01/2026 - 13:54

        Tokyo doesn't feel overcrowded imo, unless you're staying in tourist hotspots.

        • 8
      • Sythe on 27/01/2026 - 14:17

        Tokyo is only overcrowded in certain suburbs and generally only weekends or public holidays.
        Otherwise, its busy but nothing the city can't handle.

        Kyoto is a different story. It is overcrowded and can't handle the numbers.

        • 11
        • wisdomtooth on 28/01/2026 - 07:09

          Kyoto is only crowded at tourist attractions; the city is practically empty, and like much everything else in Japan, very quiet.

          • 0
      • npnp on 27/01/2026 - 14:39

        "Over crowded" means city has exceeded its manageable crowd limit which I don't believe is the case. We have spent a few days in Tokyo, done all tourist attractions (Disneyland etc) including super busy Sakura season, and never felt it's 'Over' crowded. Sure, it's crowded (very much so). Kyoto and even Osaka on the other hand felt a little overcrowded (since they are relatively smaller cities). Japan is really nice, don't forget to rent a car and drive around rural areas (which we enjoyed quite a bit).

        • 2
        • rooon on 27/01/2026 - 16:16

          Disneyland overcrowded on weekends. Have to queue for hours for anything, not just rides.

          • 0
          • npnp on 27/01/2026 - 18:27

            @rooon: Sure. Anyone does better planning knows for certain that you NEVER visit Disneyland or universal studios on a weekend. There are other horrible days not to visit as well (country specific holidays, long weekends and school holidays). These are the most basic things a tourist aiming to visit Disneyland research about. Goes without saying really.

            • 5
            • wisdomtooth on 28/01/2026 - 07:10

              @npnp: Besides, Disneyland is Disney-LAND, not Tokyo.

              • 1
        • AUBRX on 01/02/2026 - 14:07

          How many times you been? Where did you rent a car?

          • 0
      • mazuko on 27/01/2026 - 14:50

        "Tokyo over crowded"
        Wait until you visit Shibuya Crossing

        • 0
        • npnp on 27/01/2026 - 19:48

          Nah. It's nothing special than just another tourist attraction now. Well organised chaos just like anything else in Japan😁

          • 0
          • wisdomtooth on 28/01/2026 - 07:12

            @npnp: Japan and chaos hardly go on the same sentence. No one who'd been to India would even think of crowds and chaos when speaking of Japan…

            • 1
            • npnp on 28/01/2026 - 10:50

              @wisdomtooth: Never been to India but been to 30 plus other countries so for me crowds in countries like Japan, Taiwan and China are "well organised" chaos. What I mean by that is, for an untrained touristic eye, it's full of chaotic mess, but when you take time to step back and watch, it's well organised. Same goes with their traffic as well. The rules are unnecessarily complicated, so many traffic lights with specific rules for each, specific rules for each lane also, and to make it worse most of those specific rules are only in local language lol. I've driven in Taiwan and Japan and amount of times I pulled my hair thinking 'why couldn't they have done that instead of this, just doesn't make any sense at all'. But things seem to be working out well for them regardless. So for something that looks and feels overly complicated for a western eye, perhaps is the way that perfectly makes sense for Asians (east Asians to be specific because this is completely different in South Asian countries - I've also driven in many of them - a completely different beast altogether).

              • 2
              • wisdomtooth on 28/01/2026 - 13:58

                @npnp:

                The rules are unnecessarily complicated

                Perhaps precisely bc the Japanese are so compliant that rule makers face no consequence from creating unnecessarily complicated rules.

                • 0
        • greennick on 28/01/2026 - 01:46

          I did it almost every day for 4 years. Yes, lots of people cross it, however it's also huge and people move efficiently while giving sufficient personal space. I wouldn't call it overcrowded, it's more obscenely busy.

          • 0
          • npnp on 28/01/2026 - 10:55

            @greennick: Yeah agree with you. Also the definition of 'personel space' is very different west vs east. For example, in East, you won't breach personal space even when you almost rub against each other shoulder to shoulder whereas in the west if you are closer to 1 foot is already considered rude. Lol. Westerners are for the same reasons perhaps seems more individual and lonely, while Easterners are more social and happier. There are pros and cons in both situations however, after living in both worlds, I don't find one is particularly good TBH.

            • 0
        • CauseNEffect on 29/01/2026 - 20:14

          Or shinjuku station and the endless ways to get lost.

          • 0
      • CoffeeBrowse on 27/01/2026 - 16:14

        Osaka is overrated. Its still extremely busy and everything is just as expensive, especially in popular areas. If you want 'city' without the major tourist boom, you go to Fukuoka or Sapporo, they are also still busy however.

        • 1
        • desktopzero on 27/01/2026 - 16:37

          Not true. I’ve been to all of these cities during peak travel season multiple times in the past 2 years - Fukuoka and Sapporo are the worst for restaurant queues due to being smaller cities - especially for popular chains. I saw wait times up to 3 hours for Sushiro (lol), whereas in Osaka it’s a large spread out city so you can pretty much walk into any good restaurant. Shopping in both cities is absolutely horrendous - massive crowds of Chinese and Korean tourists swarming all of the stores in the main areas, and don’t even think about lining up for the one hour long tax free queues. I’ve never had these issues in Osaka, go shopping near Tennoji or even Namba and there’s barely any people around.

          • 5
          • CoffeeBrowse on 28/01/2026 - 10:11

            @desktopzero: I lived in Fukuoka for quite some time and don't agree in the slightest. Osaka is way worse.

            • 1
        • tanoshiiki on 27/01/2026 - 20:33

          I thought Nagoya is a pretty good city if you want to go to the popular chain places where you’d have to queue in Tokyo, especially in peak hours. The queues are only at special breakfast cafes and a Nagoya miso katsu place. It’s not an exciting city though, but maybe that’s part of the appeal.

          • 0
        • wisdomtooth on 28/01/2026 - 07:16

          Haven't been to Fukuoka or Sapporo, but agree Osaka is overrated. Went there last June, and to Tokyo the year before, and the disparity in things to do, especially with a family, was GIGANTIC. In 2 weeks, going to science museums practically everyday, we couldn't exhaust Tokyo's. And they're mostly all FREE!

          • 1
    • tassietigermaniac on 27/01/2026 - 13:41

      A few thoughts as someone who's been there 6 times.

      Start your research at https://www.japan-guide.com/
      Pick a time of year to travel based on your interests (nature, festivals, onsens, sightseeing etc etc)
      Don't underestimate Japan's size! It's a big place! Trains are key, make sure you know how far from stations and buses everything is - I use this tool - https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/route/

      Accommodation often isn't listed until 3-6 months before the requested date. I'm looking to go in August and many places that I know should have spots aren't showing up yet.

      If you have any other questions let me know. I just use booking.com for accommodation and have never had any issues or bad accommodation, I trust the ratings on there.

      I found Kyoto highly overrated. I found Japanese gardens to be my favourite things while travelling. But they're all subjective.

      I found both airports are fine to fly in and out of. Narita is a bit more convenient but just pick whichever one has the cheaper prices on the day. The trains connecting you back to Tokyo are both top notch.

      Like I said, feel free to ask questions if you want

      • 44
      • RipperOB on 27/01/2026 - 13:53

        I would have definitely jumped on this if I didn't have trips already booked.

        Thanks for the info, I'll save those links for next year

        • 2
        • tassietigermaniac on 27/01/2026 - 14:02

          You're welcome, also feel free to message me on here if you have any questions at that time, I'm always happy to talk Japan

          • 2
      • Jolakot on 27/01/2026 - 14:25

        Why did you find Kyoto overrated?

        We're planning on going at some point soon, and beyond spending a few days each in Tokyo and Osaka for obligatory theme parks and flights/transit (probably open jaw starting in Osaka), we were planning to split the rest of the 12 days between Kyoto and the ryokans or nature themed places around Mt Fuji for a quieter experience

        Kyoto sounded much closer to the atmosphere we wanted, calmer and tranquil but also accessible/tolerant of tourists. Where would you go instead if it's overrated?

        • 0
        • PVA on 27/01/2026 - 14:29

          Kyoto is great. If youve never been then its a must.

          • 4
        • tassietigermaniac on 27/01/2026 - 15:19

          I found it to be very crowded when I went, quite smelly and everything had massive wait times. Even for Japan. I was there in June so maybe that had something to do with it but it felt like a dirtier version of Tokyo to me.

          Most people do not get this experience, I should probably not have put it in my post given the general consensus. If it works for most people it will probably work for @w33w00 as well.

          I preferred Lake Kawagochiko (Fuji 5 lakes), Hakone and Nikko (all nature experiences) and for cities I loved Nagoya, Hiroshima and Himeji the best. Much quieter and more relaxed. But again, most people loved Kyoto. I should give it another try and some point.

          • 3
          • TheRealCher on 27/01/2026 - 17:02

            @tassietigermaniac: I'm mostly with you on this - I stayed outside the city itself (three JR stops away in Biwa - largest inland body of water in Japan) which was much more memorable. I was also there in winter, which brought down costs as Biwa can be very expensive in peak season.
            I visited Japan for the first time in 2015 and Kyoto itself was over-crowded in Gion, and locals have gone on the record well and truly since then about what the influx is doing. Yes we might say well they market it, but it's similar in a way to Paris - there is a dependency on tourism but the cultural impact is huge.
            The instagram-isation of Japan has had a huge impact on these spots - the bamboo forest, for instance, is rarely experienced as it is seen. Great (but long) article here called Impact of Kyoto Tourism: Challenges and Strategies - https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/16aaa3ab2e434638abbd66a…
            Much shorter article called Influencers helped cause overtourism. Can they help fix it? - https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2024/07/29/issues/ove…

            Hakone is great - within an hour of Tokyo, well set up. Try to go during the week and stay in the area. Amazing open air art museum - https://www.hakone-oam.or.jp/en/
            Plenty of other attractions, and you can avoid the tacky pirate ship stuff :-)

            I recommend Aomori and its surroundings, possibly as a gateway stop for heading across to Sapporo/exploring Hokkaido. Getting out of the main built up areas is really important as the areas are very-well serviced by trains and hotels, but declining/aging population has been causing a lot of worry. Avoid the major snow resorts in Hokkaido in peak season - they're being over-developed and the locals are being priced out of housing by foreign buyers.

            The north of Japan is also great in late April/May if you can go because there's still a lot of Spring nature blossoming. Alternatively, if you hate the cold here, head to the southern islands of Japan in July/August for your tropical wonderland. Just make sure you're out before monsoon/typhoon time.

            I have a lot of love for the country and its people.

            • 0
          • wisdomtooth on 28/01/2026 - 07:25

            @tassietigermaniac:

            I was there in June

            Me too!

            I found it to be very crowded when I went

            Only at tourist attractions.

            it felt like a dirtier version of Tokyo

            Nah, we went to Tokyo the year before. While clean, Tokyo is definitely grimier.

            quite smelly

            Wut?

            • 0
            • tassietigermaniac on 28/01/2026 - 08:25

              @wisdomtooth: It was just my experience. I might have gotten unlucky but the part I was staying in what scummer than Shinjuku after midnight.

              Where did you stay? I might try a revisit.

              For an example I waiting for over an hour to see Kinkaku-ji and they had massive screens up so that you couldn't see it until you'd paid the entrance fee and I got hurried on after finally getting in. I couldn't believe it, never had an experience like that anywhere else in Japan

              • 0
              • wisdomtooth on 28/01/2026 - 08:35

                @tassietigermaniac: Just checked, we actually went to Kyoto in June 2024. Stayed in Osaka too. And Tokyo in June 2023.

                Where did you stay?

                Kyoto
                Tambaguchi (near the fish market and a great traditional sento)

                Osaka
                Tengachaya
                Hanazonocho

                Tokyo
                Akasaka
                Ryogoku

                I waiting for over an hour to see Kinkaku

                Yeah, we don't do touristy things much here. Mostly walk around, shop, eat, try things out, and do what Japanese school kids mostly do.

                • 1
                • CaptainSizzle on 28/01/2026 - 10:56

                  @wisdomtooth:

                  …and do what Japanese school kids mostly do.

                  Ummm. What? More details please

                  • 1
                  • wisdomtooth on 28/01/2026 - 14:00

                    @CaptainSizzle: Wherever we went there was either a school excursion — science museums, mostly — or a bunch of Japanese kids hanging out at the mall 😁

                    • 1
                • Hipsi on 29/01/2026 - 08:18

                  @wisdomtooth: The manager at Tengachaya station McDonalds is a legend. We stayed near there last year. Dude said he's been to Sydney 12 times and loves it

                  • 0
                  • wisdomtooth on 29/01/2026 - 09:51

                    @Hipsi: You ate at… McDonald's? In Japan?? I didn't even see them there 😄

                    • 0
                    • Hipsi on 29/01/2026 - 21:30

                      @wisdomtooth: Haha, it was a quick grab and go as we were heading to the airport. It was actually refreshing to see how quickly they clear the tables. Never seen that happen at a Maccas before

                      • 0
                      • wisdomtooth on 29/01/2026 - 21:40

                        @Hipsi: No 7-Ereven sushi triangles for you? 😅

                        • 0
                        • Hipsi on 29/01/2026 - 22:51

                          @wisdomtooth: Not on that particular morning. I made up for it every other day

                          • 1
      • Sythe on 27/01/2026 - 14:26

        This is really good advice.
        I've pretty much done the same for all my trips and majority have been solo.
        Japan-guide is pretty much always my first stop when checking out a particular area for things to do and then I look further into details etc once I've got a rough idea of my plan.

        For solo travel especially(but also just general advice), I'd highly recommend using business hotels for city accommodation.
        Pretty much always the best priced options, locations are always conveniently located near a train station.
        You can also book much further in advance than some other options.
        Sometimes booking with the hotel chains website is cheaper than Booking.com and hasn't been an issue for me, or if you're struggling to find something in a particular spot Rakuten travel is a good option to check.

        • 1
        • TheRealCher on 27/01/2026 - 17:04

          dormy inn are pretty consistent - you can become a member and get discounted rates. Breakfast (and often a light dinner) included, as well as onsen and almost always close to the trains - https://dormy-hotels.com/

          • 0
          • tassietigermaniac on 28/01/2026 - 08:26

            @TheRealCher: APAs are my favourite but Dormy is pretty nice too. APAs are really small but cheap with good facilities

            • 1
      • PVA on 27/01/2026 - 14:30

        Both Airports .. you mean Osaka Kix and Tokyo Haneda?

        • 0
        • quackie on 27/01/2026 - 14:37

          I think he was referring to NRT and HND.

          But seeing as it's JQ, HND is off limits.

          • 1
      • Cyphar on 27/01/2026 - 14:34

        Start your research at https://www.japan-guide.com/

        So good to see this site going strong. When I moved to Japan in 2002 I used this site to help me navigate around. It was awesome. Then used it over the years as a tourist too. It's an amazing resource.

        • 2
      • Frozensage on 27/01/2026 - 14:57

        loved kyoto, and walking at the parks and streets, feels surreal. Osaka is super busy and amazing night life but felt abit dirty. Himeji and Naru also amazing to stay and walk around. Maybe I'm just more into the heritege side of Japan than all the metropolitan stuff which I'm trying to escape from.

        • 1
      • DingoBilly on 27/01/2026 - 16:05

        Japan has something for everyone.

        I personally think Kyoto is the best place to stay in, and will always make it part of my trip. I find Tokyo to be boring and just another big city with nothing to add.

        Many people could spend months in Tokyo alone and love it.

        Definitely do your research and pick out what aligns with your interests most.

        • 0
      • GS9891 on 27/01/2026 - 23:02

        I found Kyoto highly overrated.

        As someone who's been 16 times, Kyoto is lovely but the crowds post-COVID have been making it harder to enjoy sure. But really they're just concentrated around Higashiyama/Kiyomizu and maybe Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama, and Kinkakuji for the most part. And as someone who lived in Kyoto specifically for a few months (albeit back in 2013) there is so much more it has to offer than those few ""must-sees"".

        • 0
      • hazzad on 01/02/2026 - 18:50

        Hey mate. Can I get your advice on Narita to Tokyo return transportation. Is the train the cheapest option with the $50(approx) return ticket option. We arrive around 1 pm so I'm guessing we would be through immigration by 2 ish. Would trains be crowded at this point to Tokyo? This is our first time to Japan so this will be our first exposure to their trains. Will be travelling with two teens.

        • 0
    • Pidapipo on 27/01/2026 - 13:42

      If it's your first trip, fly in Tokyo and do a typical tourist trip. There will be a lot of people, but usually the popular spots are popular for a reason and they are much more foreigner-friendly especially if you don't speak the language. Try to add 1-2 side trips, you can look at the Tokyo Wide Pass for idea. japan-guide.com is my favourite place to find information.

      • 10
    • PVA on 27/01/2026 - 13:47

      Brisbane to osaka direct is good. The sale times are not ideal, weather wise though.

      • 2
      • Mugsy on 27/01/2026 - 15:42

        That was my thoughts too… was waiting for a sale on Jetstar flights that would get me 2 weeks in Osaka after golden week ends but no luck here.

        So now I'm thinking of getting an Amex Velocity card for a return flight down to Hobart. Haven't been down to Tassie in quite a lot of years.

        • 0
        • PVA on 27/01/2026 - 21:12

          Same, looking for May deals. Maybe even April before Golden.

          • 0
          • Mugsy on 29/01/2026 - 08:02

            @PVA: Before Golden Week would work… though, that's the tail end of cherry blossom season so cheap flights will be a challenge. Guess we keep looking.

            • 0
            • PVA on 29/01/2026 - 16:32

              @Mugsy: We had a few trips last year. Mid Feb to early March was one .. perfect time i thought. Just got alittle cherry blossum starting but plum blossom was out too around Osaka castle.

              • 0
    • H3R34TH4C0MM3NTS on 27/01/2026 - 14:15

      If you haven't travelled to Japan yet and the last time you went overseas was 10 years ago, probably travel or Japan is probably not a major priority for you. Japan really falls into 2 categories people who have no interest or go only once and have no interest coming back ever again And people who go constantly and travel pretty much no where else. if you are of the former then best save your money and time .

      • 0
    • cakesyy on 27/01/2026 - 14:18

      Ive done Jetstar GC to Japan. Was fine. No food. Flight was delayed back by 6 hours, but they put us in a hotel.

      Catch the train in japan, though it is confusing. Don't expect everyone to speak english.

      • 0
    • Justwon on 27/01/2026 - 14:27

      Did my first ever solo trip (at 31 ooft) last Aug for 5 weeks, happy to answer any questions in DMs but it depends on what you want to do. If doing Tokyo NRT is generally cheaper to fly into, takes about 40-50mins to get to Ueno which is a major hub and for quite cheap.
      People talking about cabs, DO NOT get a cab unless it's after midnight (ergo no trains running).
      Google maps is your best friend, can plot different arrival times and areas you want to stay in and work from there.

      • 3
    • Sythe on 27/01/2026 - 14:32

      Japan is a great place to travel solo.
      Think I've done 6 solo trips at this point and never had any issues travelling by myself.

      The country is well set up for solo travel with all of the business hotels and most restaurants have some set up for single seating.

      • 6
      • quackie on 27/01/2026 - 14:42

        I'm with you on this. The business hotels are superb. I love the Toyoko Inn chain. It's consistent, free breakfast. Win for me!

        • 1
      • Cludo on 27/01/2026 - 16:16

        I recently saw a Youtube video African men working as touts in Japan who approach solo travelers (mainly men) and try to pressure them into visiting certain bars for cheap drinks and sometimes other services from the other gender. The touts would follow solo travelers around not leaving them alone trying to get them to cave in and follow them to a bar.. this seems exhausting to deal with, did you have any experience like this?

        • 1
        • Justwon on 27/01/2026 - 17:04

          It's pretty easy to ignore, while they may seem intimidating just blow through them don't engage, and obviously don't follow.
          Solo women is a bit different, touts are illegal so you can go to any gov affiliated building (public transit being the most numerous) and ask for assistance. If you're out after last train then try to find another tourist or alarm the nearest person you can is best. I wouldn't recommend being out alone at night beyond walking distance from your accommodation anyway.
          I would refrain from staying in hostels if you're worried about it, have heard stories of being followed into them whereas proper hotels they're stopped at the door.
          It's generally well-known what areas to avoid, but you can ask on the Japan Travel subreddit/discord for more info, they're super helpful.

          • 1
        • Sythe on 27/01/2026 - 17:26

          Never worried about it, but I don't spend a whole lot of time in the areas where this is super common.
          I have been to some places where it is, but I've never thought much about it and just ignore them.
          Honestly, most street touts you'll see are only trying to get Japanese guys to go in, so they'll completely ignore you unless you look ethnically Japanese.

          Its pretty sound advice that if you don't know the place and they're pushing you to go in, it'll probably end up costing you more than expected.
          If you ignore them you won't have an issue.
          Its also really easy to avoid those areas if you're worried about it.

          • 1
    • GUYANDSON on 27/01/2026 - 14:36

      Japan's crazy popular as a travel destination, especially over the last few years. There's an absolute ton of info out there. Super friendly to solo travellers too. For the first time just do the golden route (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka), plenty to see and do even if you aren't all that familiar with the culture.

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    • sponson on 27/01/2026 - 15:51

      Learn a bit of the language. It opens up so many doors.

      • 1
    • Robbo014 on 27/01/2026 - 18:49

      Took family 5 for 2 weeks in September last year. Tokyo to Osaka via air and Osaka back via the bullet train.

      Both Disney's and Universal theme parks

      15k total.

      • 0
      • 31mop on 27/01/2026 - 21:04

        What pass did you get as USJ?

        • 0
    • supersabroso on 27/01/2026 - 22:21

      It's a good deal but as usual, useless for people who have kids/teachers in their family and have to travel during school holidays.

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      • perfectlydark on 29/01/2026 - 10:24

        i just take my kids out of school for travel

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      • hazzad on 29/01/2026 - 11:18

        Yeah I'm just taking my kid out for 1.5 weeks. Cheaper to do this. She is a good student and will catch up. Much cheaper to travel during school term than in holidays.

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    • poisongodmachine on 28/01/2026 - 14:40

      I went last October.

      I flew Brisbane to Osaka via Jetstar, spent a night at a hotel near the airport and the next morning got a Jetstar Japan flight to Tokyo. Spent 6 days there, then took the shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto, spent 2 nights there, then took a regular train to Nara, spent a few hours there seeing the deer, then another regular train to Osaka, where I spent 6 days.

      Since it was my first time in Japan, I chose to go to the more touristy cities. If I ever return, I'll explore the lesser known cities.

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    • insanowayno on 28/01/2026 - 18:45

      Just completed our first trip to Japan and wow, def going back!! Travelled with the family and I think it's harder in a bigger group (7 of us) especially getting tables at restaurants. Japan has been said to be a lonely place so it's very common to see people eating solo so travelling solo is not a drama.
      Depends on what it is you want to do in Japan and if you want to head into Tokyo city then yes Haneda is the best airport to fly into, but Narita is only a 40min Narita express ride into the city. Why not if flying into Narita start there and stay a couple of nights in the area, Japan is such a wonderful place to explore outside of the touristy areas, which will be our next trip there. See the parts most tourists don't head to. Everywhere is so accessible by their amazing rail system.

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    • buckerooni on 30/01/2026 - 08:51

      Japan is known for being a fav for solo travellers as its safe, easy to get around (relatively, cities are big and busy) and the people are extremely accomodating. We go every year to snowboard, incredibly interesting country and alot of the customs, mindset and way of life often comes up in my day to day. Fascinating place. Would love to go to the real rurual areas though, as even the smaller cities are still massive (i.e. Kanazawa). I see a comment about Tokyo being overcrowded, there's 32 million people there, it's going to be busy and the immensity of it is worth experiencing - it's hard to comprehend it's size.

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    • A female dog on 27/01/2026 - 13:16

      Noted with thanks

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    • adam7070 on 27/01/2026 - 13:55

      Sorry to hear that

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    • FatGPT on 27/01/2026 - 14:21

      A thousand commiserations

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    • ezekiel181 on 27/01/2026 - 19:39

      Reach out if I can be of any help.

      • 1
    • wetsandwich on 29/01/2026 - 14:07

      Any updates on this?

      • 0
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