Getting from the UK to Japan

The first choice when taking a trip from the UK to Japan is flying direct or including a stopover.  Intended destination is an important factor in making this decision.  I think the only direct flights are to Haneda Airport in Tokyo and are operated by British Airways and Japan Airlines (JAL).  The flight time is about the same with both airlines, but the JAL SkyWider seats do provide a bigger seat and at least 5cm extra legroom.

There are no direct flights to Osaka, but good options are to fly via Paris-Charles de Gaulle or Amsterdam Schiphol.  The flight time from London is slightly longer overall, but a couple of hours are cut off the flight to Japan.  A bonus is that Osaka is a nice airport to arrive at, landing on an island just off the mainland.  Passage through customs and immigration is smooth, especially if you register your trip in advance at Visit Japan Web.

Want to go somewhere outside the central part of Japan?  Flights to Hokkaido in the north or Fukuoka in the south can be accessed through Tokyo and Osaka, or a range of Asian hubs.

There are some great deals when choosing not to take a direct flight, and it opens the opportunity to visit somewhere new, or discover hidden gems.