Walking through the restaurant zone of a given shopping mall in Bangkok, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in Tokyo. From sushi, to tonkatsu, to shabu-shabu, it’s common for Japanese restaurants to make up the majority of eateries in such food halls.
The reason for this is simple: Thais absolutely love Japan. They travel to the country in huge numbers; there are more than a dozen daily flights from Bangkok to airports all over Japan.
Whether because of cultural compatibility or sheer convenience, it’s easy to understand why so many people travel from Thailand to Japan. Here’s how to follow in their footsteps…er, contrails.
Japan is Everywhere in Thailand
Even if you haven’t yet search flights from Bangkok to Tokyo, you’ve probably had Japan on your mind as you explore Thailand. Beyond the culinary crossover I mentioned in the introduction to this piece, Japanese retailers have a conspicuous presence in Thailand, from UNIQLO, to Muji, to the massive Don Quijote store at MBK Center in Bangkok.
There’s also the fact that some places in Thailand (most notably the city of Sriracha in Chonburi province) have Japanese architectural areas. Or the sheer number of Japanese expats in Bangkok, estimated to be well over 100,000. Thailand is also probably the country outside of Japan that has most embraced the wearing of face masks, even if I personally find this annoying and problematic.
All the Ways from Thailand to Japan
Flights from Bangkok (BKK) to Tokyo (HND)
On any given day, there are as many as 8 flights from Bangkok’s main Suvarnabhumi Airport to Haneda, the most convenient of Tokyo’s two airports. Many of these flights are red-eyes, and all are operated by full-service carriers such as Thai, ANA and Japan Airlines.
Flights from Bangkok (BKK) to Tokyo (NRT)
The cheaper option for traveling from Japan to Thailand is flying to Narita. This is for a few reasons, including that low-cost Japanese carriers like Air Japan and ZIPAIR fly from Suvarnabhumi to NRT, also up to 8 times per day. As far as whether Narita is a better choice than Haneda? Well, that’s a discussion for another post.
Flights from Bangkok (BKK) to other Japanese airports
Not headed to Tokyo? No problem. From Fukuoka (FUK) in the far southwest, to Nagoya (NGO) in central Japan, to Sapporo (CTS) in the far northeast, Thai serves a variety of Japanese destinations, albeit some on a seasonal basis. JAL also flies nonstop from Bangkok to Osaka (KIX).
Flights from Bangkok (DMK) to Japan
I’ve posted publicly about how (and why) I don’t like Don Mueang Airport. At the same time, low-cost flights from here to Japan can save you even more money than flying from BKK to NRT. This is true whether you fly AirAsia X or Peach, and for both major destinations like Tokyo and Osaka, or tropical Okinawa (OKA) Airport.
Connecting flights from Thailand to Japan
With all the nonstop options, it might seem silly even to consider connecting on your way from Thailand to Japan. At the same time, this can also be cheaper; it can yield greater award availability if you’re traveling using point. You also have the opportunity to fly excellent airs like EVA, China Airlines, Starlux and Cathay Pacific.
Should You Visit Japan or Thailand First?
Most younger travelers go to Thailand first, if only for practical reasons. Thailand is much cheaper than Japan, and has a comparable lack of social rules and norms. You can land in Bangkok and figure things out, without any prior planning, in a matter of days or even hours. In Japan, on the other hand, you’ll have a much easier time if you’re an experienced (or simply older) traveler.
On the other hand, given that flight times from Tokyo to Bangkok are around seven hours one-way, Japan is simply a more convenient destinations (certainly for Americans). It could be that your flight from the US to Thailand stops in Tokyo, and you visit Japan first after buying a ticket with a stopover. The great news is that there are no wrong answers to this question.
Other FAQ About Traveling from Thailand to Japan
How long does it take to get from Thailand to Japan?
Flights from Thailand to Japan can be as short as four hours (from Bangkok to Okinawa) or as long as seven hours, if you’re flying all the way to Sapporo. In the reverse direction, flights are a bit longer, thanks to headwinds as you fly west from Japan to Thailand.
Can I travel from Thailand to Japan?
Most travelers can travel from Japan to Thailand, though in some cases (such as if you’re not from Thailand, the US, Europe, UK, Australia or New Zealand) you may need a visa. I encourage you to contact yuor local Japanese embassy or consulate to verify requirements well in advance of travel.
Can you take a train from Thailand to Japan?
Japan is entirely composed of islands, none of which are connected to mainland Asia by train. Additionally, trains in Thailand are very slow, so while you could theoretically travel most of the way to Japan (i.e. to China) by train, it would take a very long time. It’s really best to plan on flying, given how frequent and affordable flights between the countries are.
The Bottom Line
Want to travel from Thailand to Japan? You and every Thai in Bangkok! All joking aside, it’s easy and convenient to travel between these two countries, and not just because their cultures pair so well together. Thanks to the more than a dozen daily flights from Bangkok to Tokyo and beyond, there tends to be a high availability of seats and a relatively low cost of travel. Moreover, after a week (or three) in Thailand’s tropical climes, Japan’s four seasons will seem more appealing than ever. Need personalized help planning your trip? I can assist both for Japan and Thailand.
