Strolling through the restaurant area of ​​a shopping mall in Bangkok, one could easily mistake it for Tokyo. From sushi and tonkatsu to shabu-shabu, Japanese restaurants typically make up the majority of the eateries in such market halls.

The reason is simple: Thais love Japan above all else. They travel there in large numbers; there are more than a dozen flights daily from Bangkok to airports all over Japan.

Whether out of cultural affinity or simply convenience, it's easy to see why so many people travel from Thailand to Japan. Here's how you can follow in their footsteps… er, in their contrails.

Japan is present everywhere in Thailand.

Even if you haven't yet searched for flights from Bangkok to Tokyo, Japan has probably already crossed your mind during your trip to Thailand. Besides the culinary similarities I mentioned in the introduction, Japanese retailers are ubiquitous in Thailand – from UNIQLO and Muji to the enormous Don Quijote department store in Bangkok's MBK Center.

Furthermore, some parts of Thailand (most notably the city of Sriracha in Chonburi province) have districts with Japanese architecture. Or consider the sheer number of Japanese expats in Bangkok, estimated at well over 100,000. Thailand is also probably the country outside of Japan that has most widely accepted the wearing of face masks, although I personally find it annoying and problematic.

All routes from Thailand to Japan

Flights from Bangkok (BKK) to Tokyo (HND)

There are up to eight daily flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok to Haneda, the more convenient of the two airports for Tokyo. Many of these flights are overnight flights and are all operated by full-service airlines such as Thai Airways, ANA, and Japan Airlines.

Flights from Bangkok (BKK) to Tokyo (NRT)

The cheapest option for traveling from Japan to Thailand is a flight to Narita. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that Japanese low-cost carriers like Air Japan and Zipair offer up to eight daily flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Narita. Is Narita a better choice than Haneda? Well, that's a topic for another post.

Flights from Bangkok (BKK) to other Japanese airports

Not flying to Tokyo? No problem. From Fukuoka (FUK) in the far southwest, via Nagoya (NGO) in central Japan, to Sapporo (CTS) in the far northeast, Thai Airways serves a variety of Japanese destinations, though some are only offered seasonally. JAL also offers direct flights from Bangkok to Osaka (KIX).

Flights from Bangkok (DMK) to Japan

I've already publicly explained why I dislike Don Mueang Airport. At the same time, you can actually save even more money with budget flights from there to Japan than with flights from Bangkok to Tokyo. This applies to both AirAsia X and Peach, and to major destinations like Tokyo and Osaka, as well as tropical Okinawa (OKA).

Connecting flights from Thailand to Japan

Given the many direct flights available, it might seem odd at first to include a stopover on your journey from Thailand to Japan. However, this can also be cheaper and increase the availability of award flights, especially if you're traveling with points. Furthermore, you have the option of flying with reputable airlines such as EVA Air, China Airlines, Starlux, and Cathay Pacific.

Should you visit Japan or Thailand first?

Most younger travelers are initially drawn to Thailand, if only for practical reasons. Thailand is significantly cheaper than Japan and has a similarly relaxed social structure. You can land in Bangkok and find your way around within a few days or even hours without any prior planning. In Japan, on the other hand, it's considerably easier for experienced (or simply older) travelers.

On the other hand, given the flight time from Tokyo to Bangkok of around seven hours each way, Japan is simply a more convenient destination (especially for Americans). It's possible that your flight from the US to Thailand will have a layover in Tokyo, and you might visit Japan first after booking a ticket with a layover. The good news: there are no wrong answers here.

Other frequently asked questions about traveling from Thailand to Japan

How long does the journey from Thailand to Japan take?

Flights from Thailand to Japan can take between four hours (from Bangkok to Okinawa) and seven hours (to Sapporo). Flights in the opposite direction are somewhat longer, as there are often headwinds on the way from Japan to Thailand.

Can I travel from Thailand to Japan?

Most travelers can travel from Japan to Thailand. However, in some cases (e.g., if you are not from Thailand, the USA, Europe, the UK, Australia, or New Zealand), you may need a visa. I recommend that you check with the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country about entry requirements well in advance of your trip.

Is it possible to travel from Thailand to Japan by train?

Japan consists entirely of islands, none of which are connected to the Asian mainland by rail. Furthermore, trains in Thailand are very slow. While it's theoretically possible to travel almost the entire distance to Japan (i.e., to China) by train, it would take a very long time. Given the frequent and affordable flights between the two countries, traveling by plane is therefore advisable.

Conclusion

Fancy a trip from Thailand to Japan? There you and all the Thais would be in Bangkok! All joking aside, traveling between these two countries is easy and convenient – ​​and not just because their cultures complement each other so well. Thanks to over a dozen daily flights from Bangkok to Tokyo and beyond, there are usually plenty of seats available and travel costs are relatively low. After a few weeks (or three) in tropical Thailand, Japan's four seasons will seem even more appealing. Need help planning your trip? I'd be happy to assist you with travel to both Japan and Thailand.