The weakened yen is a hot topic of conversation now, with Singaporeans rushing to book their flights to Japan. The planned itineraries are all identical: Spend a day at Universal Studios in Osaka or visit Akihabara Street in Tokyo. But we all know Japan has a lot more to offer besides these 2 major cities.
From roaming the architectural movie sets of Ghibli Park to driving go-karts in Okinawa, there are plenty of activities to cover week-long itineraries. We did the research for you, and here are the cities in Japan you can travel to with direct flights from Singapore.
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The first step to securing your trip to Japan is deciding which airline to take. While there are viable options for direct flights to Tokyo such as ZIPAIR and Air Japan, flights to other cities would require other budget airlines. For example, Jetstar is offering round-trip flights from Singapore to Okinawa for as low as S$318.
If you prioritise quality over saving a few dollars, Scoot offers quiet zones & baby-free seating areas at affordable prices. Amenities such as food and Wi-Fi are available as add-ons, and with a FLEX upgrade, you can amend your return flight dates if your plans change.
As you make the choice between comfort and affordability in your flight booking, keep in mind that the timing of your stay and knowledge of Japan’s transportation modes need to be factored in.
| Destination | Airline | Price* | Duration | Airport |
| Fukuoka | Singapore Airlines | $799 | 6 hours | Fukuoka Airport |
| Sapporo | Scoot | $725 | 9 hours 30 minutes | New Chitose Airport |
| Nagoya | Singapore Airlines | $816 | 6 hours 40 minutes | Chubu Centrair International Airport |
| Yokohama | All Nippon Airways | $749 | 7 hours 10 minutes | Haneda Airport (Tokyo) |
| Okinawa | Jetstar | $318 | 5 hours 10 minutes | Naha Airport |
| Kyoto | Scoot | $401 | 7 hours | Kansai International Airport (Osaka) |
*Prices are based on flights in September 2024.
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best time to travel to Japan. For those looking to escape the heat in Singapore, temperatures will be the coolest from March to May, falling between 10°C and 20°C. This is also the time when you can enjoy the cherry blossom season.
If you want to ensure your kids can tag along during the school holidays, the end-of-the-year period from November to December is ideal. You can still get a glimpse of the Autumn scenery in Japan and appreciate the vibrant Gingko trees.
Regarding the modes of transportation in Japan, the best option would be to travel intercity by train. Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains travel at 300km/h, and the railway network will get you to your destination quickly with train passes such as the JR Pass.
The current exchange rate is ¥100 = ~S$0.91 as of 4th August 2024.
Located on the northern shore of Kyushu island, Fukuoka is a 6-hour flight away from Singapore. The capital of Fukuoka Prefecture is known to be a city for food lovers, having one of the highest numbers of restaurants in Japan, especially yatai food stalls.
Drop by Ainoshima Island or “Cat Haven” – a small island situated at the coast of Shingū Town, north of Fukuoka city. It is a 20-minute ferry ride away from Shingū port, and houses more than 230 cats. Upon arrival, make your way to the Wakamiya Shrine and the Dragon Lord rock – sacred sites where prayers are made for wealth and good health.
Pro tip: Hike throughout the 5.4km worth of land to enjoy the companionship of all the cats on Ainoshima Island. Just be sure to check the weather forecast before going.
Image credit: @asiandragonmac64 via Instagram
Living up to its name as a city with a strong food culture, there are several yatai food stalls lined up in the Nagahama and Nakasu districts, selling yakitori. At these open-air street food stalls, you’ll be seated on cosy wooden chairs as you take in the aromas of grilled seafood.
Image credit: @yamasaki9640 via Instagram
Other than island-hopping and street food, Fukuoka is also known for its unique temples. Visit Nyoirin-ji Temple, nicknamed “Frog Temple” which is home to 5,000 frog statues. The Wind Chime Festival is held from mid-June to September every year, where the temple will be decorated with colourful furin aka Japanese wind chimes. You can purchase a furin for yourself at ¥500, or simply pose for an aesthetic Instagram picture.
Getting to Fukuoka: 6-hour flight via Singapore Airlines
Nestled in the far north of Japan, Sapporo is a city whose name you will most likely have heard of before. Of course, it is the birthplace of Sapporo beer, Japan’s oldest beer brand founded in 1876. You have to visit the Sapporo Beer Museum to learn about its history and experience the bustling nightlife filled with flashing billboards.
Step into the museum, where you will learn about the history of the beer brewing process dating back to the Meiji era. You can also enjoy a cup of freshly brewed Sapporo Classic beer, a limited edition drink served at their eatery, The Beer Garden. Their Genghis Khan Grilled Lamb & Vegetable Set (¥1,730) will pair perfectly with your drink.
Image credit: @hyo___ji via Instagram
A stay in Sapporo will not be complete without experiencing the vibrant nightlife here. Visit Susukino, a nightlife district lit up with neon lights and bright signages drawing you in to explore the restaurants, arcades with pachinko machines, and karaoke bars. A hidden gem here is the Sapporo Ramen Alley, with 17 miso ramen shops for you to decide which is the best.
What better way is there to view the scenery of Sapporo, if not from the soaring Sapporo TV Tower? Standing at over 147.2m high, you’ll have a birds-eye view of flowers blooming in Odori Park. The park also hosts The Sapporo Snow Festival in February annually, where ice sculptures are exhibited and live concerts take place.
Book a ticket to view the Sapporo TV Tower.
Getting to Sapporo: 9-hour and 30-minute flight via Scoot
For those who romanticise epic samurai fights in movies, Nagoya is the place for you. Located in the Chubu region of central Honshu, this culturally-rich city was the battleground for many famous samurai fights during the Warring States period. Architectural attractions are this city’s forte, making this destination worthwhile.
Image credit: @fionayumi via Instagram
If you are a fan of the Studio Ghibli films, chances are you have seen Ghibli Park trending on TikTok. This park is situated within a 1-hour train ride from Nagoya. From My Neighbour Totoro to Spirited Away, there are a total of 5 sectioned exhibits. The sets in each exhibit are modelled based on movies in a certain genre, such as the Valley of Witches: an area inspired by witch-related movies, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Howl’s Moving Castle.
Drop by the Milk Stand Siberi-An for their Castella Cake Sandwich with sweet bean jelly (¥380), a snack depicted in the film The Wind Rises.
Image credit: @gumihoyi via Instagram
Designated as Japan’s national treasure, Nagoya Castle is a grand architectural beauty standing at 48m tall with 5 levels. The castle was originally burnt down in 1945 during WW2 and underwent construction from 2018-2022 to retain its original design. Be sure not to miss the 2 golden tiger-headed carp statues residing at the top of the castle, as you appreciate the many cherry blossom trees planted around.
Image credit: @kaho913 via Instagram
For shopping options, visit Osu Shōtengai Shopping Street. It is a district that is compared to Tokyo’s Akihabara with its 1,200 stores including anime shops, maid cafes, and restaurants serving local cuisine. As you roam the street covered in anime posters, try their signature dishes such as kishimen – a seafood broth served with thick udon noodles.
Getting to Nagoya: 6-hour and 40-minute flight via Singapore Airlines
Dubbed one of Japan’s most international cities, Yokohama was Japan’s first foreign trading port in 1859. Now, the city is known for having 1 out of the 3 cup noodle museums in Japan and for having a Chinatown just like the one in Singapore. It’s also home to a Ferris wheel that used to be one of the world’s tallest.
To make your way to this city, you’ll still have to fly directly to Tokyo and then take a quick 20-minute bullet train ride.
At Cupnoodles Museum Yokohama, you will learn about the history of cup noodle production dating back to 1958. Strike a pose at the Instant Noodles History Cube, an area displaying over 3,000 ramen packages manufactured by Nissin. The museum offers 2 workshops that will guide you in customising your own ramen or creating ramen noodles from scratch.
Image adapted from: @jakesonaplane via Instagram
Known as Chukagai (meaning “Chinatown”), Yokohama Chinatown is a 160-year-old district with Chinese and Taiwanese eateries. Popular food items include Steamed Red Bean Buns (¥380) sold at Rōishin and candied strawberries (from ¥500 for 5 sticks). You can also spot the 10 Chinatown Gates spread out through the street, with different animal shapes and Chinese calligraphy.
Image credit: @kangggli via Instagram
The next attraction will be Cosmo World, the amusement park that houses one of the world’s largest Ferris wheels at a height of 112m. It’s located at Minato Mirai, a waterfront location with a variety of roller coasters, water rides, and miniature rides for kids. There’s no admission fee for entering, but we suggest you buy the discounted ticket books (from ¥3,000 for ¥3,500 worth of tickets) to save cost.
Getting to Yokohama: 7-hour and 10-minute flight via All Nippon Airways
Located way down south of Kyushu Island, Okinawa is the city where Karate was first developed as a sport in the early 1900s. A fun mode of transportation would be to drive go-karts around the Okinawa streets, as you make your way to the largest aquarium in Japan and drop by an American-themed village.
To kick-start your professional go-karting career, Gorilla Kart Okinawa offers kart rentals as well as cute costumes. Their packages include guided tours around Senega Island and Kokusai-dori street, where you will be able to admire the city’s natural landscapes. You will, however, need an international driver’s permit to drive a go-kart.
Book a tour guide for an Okinawa Go Kart Experience.
Image credit: @haegeum__ via Instagram
Churaumi Aquarium is Japan’s largest aquarium, having garnered over 20 million visitors since their opening in 2022. Located inside Ocean Expo Park, the main attraction is the Kuroshio Sea, a fish tank that has 7,500,000 litres of water with whale sharks and manta rays swimming inside. The aquarium also has daily animal feeding shows at 9.30am for manta rays, and at 3pm and 5pm for whale sharks.
Book a ticket to the Churaumi Aquarium.
Image credit: @u___n.i_ via Instagram
Situated near the Kadena Air Base, Mihama American Village is a shopping complex with American and Okinawan boutiques. Put on your summer clothes as you visit their Sunset Beach, a place to have barbecues and catch the sunset.
Mihama 7 Plex is a movie theatre that screens American and Japanese movies; and you have to try the Okinawan specialties such as the Omu Taco (¥650) – rice served with spicy taco meat and omelette at Taco Rice Cafe Kijimuna.
Getting to Okinawa: 5-hour and 10-minute flight via Jetstar
Named the “City of Ten Thousand Shrines”, Kyoto is a well-known city in Japan with over 3,000 temples and shrines. Apart from having probably the most famous Japanese shrine, its attractions include a Bhuddist temple that was declared a UNESCO world heritage site, and a monkey park.
Getting here is as simple as flying into Osaka and then taking a 2-hour train ride from the international airport.
Image credit: @cp_chuppy via Instagram
If you ask about the most IG-worthy spots in Japan, Fushimi Inari Shrine has got to be one of them. Recognised widely for its 10,000 orange coloured torii gates, it is connected to Mount Inari through a 5km walking trail.
You can see sacred fox statues along the way, and buy an Ema (¥800) – a wooden charm shaped like a torii gate for you to write your wishes on. Admission here is free.
Image credit: @feel_kiyomizudera via Instagram
The name “Kiyomizu-dera” in Kiyomizudera Temple translates to “pure water temple”, and is named after a water fountain that blesses those who drink its water with longevity. Admission here is free, but do consider entering the ticketed area (¥400) to admire the ancient architecture found in the temple halls. At night, you can also enjoy the night illuminations accompanied by picturesque cherry blossoms.
For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, take a walk in Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. You will be surrounded by rows of towering bamboo trees, and you can also visit Arashiyama Park nearby to look at cherry blossoms.
Iwatayama Monkey Park is just a 13-minute bus ride away from the bamboo forest, where you can feed the Japanese macaques, aka snow monkeys, that are freely roaming around.
Getting to Kyoto: 6-hour and 50-minute flight via Scoot
Japan offers much more than well-loved cities like Tokyo or Osaka. So, the next time you’re visiting the country, consider visiting these other gorgeous cities. The direct flight options are relatively affordable, and we assure you it will be worth your time.
For more guides on things to do in Japan:
Cover image adapted from: @fionayumi via Instagram, Gorilla Go-Kart Okinawa, @gampcm via Instagram
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