UPDATED! Exploring Japan With The ANA Discover Japan Fare

ANA’s Discover Japan Fare is a great, cost-effective way to explore Japan by air. It’s part of their domestic flight services, and one of a few Special Fares they offer, designed to encourage exploration of Japan by flying with ANA.

Here’s my guide to ANA’s Discover Japan Fare so you can determine if it is suitable for you and your travel plans.

Discounted domestic flights

All Nippon Airways (usually abbreviated to ANA) is Japan’s largest airline. Their Discover Japan Fare (formerly called “Experience Japan Fare”) is a special fare that can be used across ANA’s entire Japan domestic flight network. It’s a service specifically designed for foreign visitors to Japan, priced to encourage exploration of Japan’s diverse islands.

Prices are significantly lower than their standard domestic flights. However, it’s also worth checking prices of the various low cost carrier airlines also operating in Japan.

Flying with Japanese airlines

Whenever I fly from my home in the UK to Japan, I always aim to fly with a Japanese airline such as All Nippon Airways (ANA) or Japan Airlines (JAL). Both airlines offer a great balance between price and service. Particularly if you’re flying economy or ‘economy plus’ classes.

Even though, like the majority of airlines in recent years, both airlines have slightly trimmed back on the ‘luxuries’ included in their fares, the standard of in-flight service with both airlines is usually noticeably better than many of their rivals. If you have the option, I recommend flying with either ANA or JAL, you’ll rarely go wrong.

TIP: I always begin searching flights using the Skyscanner website. It’s quick, easy, flexible (has some really useful filters) and has a refreshingly clutter-free interface (they also have a mobile app if you prefer).

SEE ALSO: Japan’s Best Airports For Hassle-Free Travel

An alternative to shinkansen

As the fares are aimed specifically at foreign visitors, ANA are clearly hoping that some travellers will choose their Discover JAPAN Fare flights instead of taking the shinkansen.

And with good reason. When it comes to longer-haul travel within Japan, its much-praised bullet trains are not always the quickest or cheapest means of transportation.

Train vs plane – an example

It takes around 8 hours to travel by shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagasaki on the southern island of Kyushu. Taking a flight takes just 2 hours.

Price wise, with current JR Pass pricing, a return flight using ANA Discover Japan Fare can often be more economical, especially for longer routes.

Current fares and pricing

Important Update: ANA has restructured their pricing system. The Discover JAPAN Fare now uses dynamic pricing with fares typically ranging:

• Tokyo to Sapporo: Starting from around USD $88
• Tokyo to Osaka: Starting from around USD $70
• Tokyo to Fukuoka: Starting from around USD $94
• Tokyo to Okinawa: Starting from around USD $85-95

All prices are one-way, Economy Class only, and include taxes and surcharges. Additional airport fees may apply. Prices are subject to availability and may change.

The fare covers flights across ANA’s extensive domestic network to over 50 airports throughout Japan, with segments priced between ¥5,910-¥71,546 depending on the route and availability.

Islands and cities included in ANA’s Discover JAPAN Fare

Major cities covered by the network include Sapporo, Tokyo (both Haneda and Narita airports), Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Okinawa. The extensive network covers all major Japanese islands:

• Hokkaido (Sapporo, Hakodate, and regional airports)
• Honshu (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and numerous regional destinations)
• Kyushu (Fukuoka, Kagoshima, and regional airports)
• Okinawa (Naha and outer islands)
• Shikoku (regional airports)

Fare baggage allowance

The fare includes a free baggage allowance, which uses the same piece system as international flights. ANA advises all fare users to check the baggage rules for all of their flights, as this provides more generous allowances than standard domestic flights.

Details on fare conditions

Booking Requirements:

• Reservations can be made up to 355 days before boarding
• Tickets can be purchased via the ANA website for countries outside Japan, as well as through ANA offices or travel agents outside Japan
• Limited seats available – may not be available on all dates or flights
• No waitlisting or Premium Class reservations available
• Separate Ticketing Service Fee may apply when not booking via ANA website

Mileage Accrual: The fare offers varying mileage accrual rates depending on booking class:

• Class B: 100%
• Class Q: 70%
• Class V: 50%
• Class S: 50%
• Class L: 30%
• Class K: 30%

CHECK Official ANA Site: ANA Special Fares

Eligibility for the ANA Discover Japan Fare

To use this fare, the following conditions must be met:

1. Passengers must reside outside of Japan
2. Must hold a passport issued by any country other than Japan, or be a Japanese passport holder with permanent residency outside of Japan (Passport details required at time of purchase)
3. Must hold international ticket(s) to and from Japan – this fare is only applicable for stays in Japan using international tickets (Reservation code or ticket number required at time of purchase)

Important service changes

Critical Update: ANA has announced that Japan domestic fares applicable to flights boarding up to May 18, 2026 will be closed for new bookings, ticketing and boarding on May 18, 2026.

• Your ticket cannot be used for reservation changes or flights boarding on/after May 19, 2026, even if it is still valid
• For tickets purchased via the ANA Website, refunds will be available before the ticket’s expiration date
• This suggests ANA may be restructuring or discontinuing this programme after May 2026.

Full details on the ANA Discover Japan Fare can be found on the ANA website here where flight availability can be checked and bookings made.

Japan Airlines alternative: JAL Japan Explorer Pass

Rival airline Japan Airlines (JAL) also offers a similar discounted domestic flight offering called the JAL Japan Explorer Pass. I recommend reading that to compare the two programmes.

Official ANA Discover Japan Fare Website

ANA Special Fares

Further Related Guides

• The Best Time To Visit Japan – All You Need To Know
• Cheap Flights to Japan & Flying FAQs
• Flying to Japan? Here’s How To Fly Smarter
• Going Beyond Tokyo: Why It Pays To Be Bold
• How I Plan Trips To Japan
• JAL Japan Explorer Pass: How to Fly Around Japan for Under $100 Per Flight
• Japan’s Best Airports For Hassle-Free Travel

More Planning Resources

Planning Travel Hub

My List of Recommended Japan Travel Resources

Recommended Japan Travel Resources

My Japan Travel Store

The Real Japan Travel Store

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