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Is your social media feed filled with cherry blossoms, ramen, and gorgeous Japanese architecture? You may be suffering from Japan FOMO. (I know I am!)  This wonderful country is one of the hottest destinations for Americans, with its fabulous food and exciting sights. The exchange rate has also been quite favorable, so your dollar can go far once you make that long flight. Today we’re exploring ways you can book a trip to Japan on every budget.

In this series of blog posts, we show you ways to get to a specific destination, whether you’re on a tight points budget, looking for something mid-range, or have points to splurge. You can choose one or mix and match to make your trip. In this post, we’ll explore different options to get to and stay in Japan on points, whether you’re looking for luxury or just want to spend as few points as possible. 

 

Low Points Cost to Japan

Low Points Cost Flight: American Airlines Economy 

It’s not as glamorous as a premium-cabin award flight, but there are relative bargains to be had if you can manage a 10-to-14-hour flight in economy. For example, American Airlines flies direct between Dallas and Tokyo’s Narita International Airport. I found a lot of availability this fall for a group of three flying in economy on this flight, between 35,000 and 45,000 AA miles per person, one way.  [Editor’s note: You can also find economy nonstop flights on JAL for the same points price (35K AA miles), and flying JAL will be a nicer experience than flying American. —Traci]

Low Points Cost Hotel: Comfort Hotel Nara (Choice Points) 

While it might not be quite as popular as many other hotel loyalty programs, the Choice Privileges program can be a great option when traveling internationally. If you’re looking to feed Japan’s famous free-roaming deer (a highlight of Japan for Jess’s daughter!), check out the Comfort Hotel Nara with your Choice Privileges points. This hotel is a short walk from the JR Nara Station. While there’s lots to see in the area—including Japan’s largest Buddha statue—this property also offers easy access to Osaka and Kyoto. 

International hotels don’t usually accommodate more than two people per room, but I found availability for four here—a great option for a family. Given the bargain price of 8,000 Choice points per night, you could easily book two or three rooms here if you need even more space or if this four-person room isn’t available.

 

Medium Points Cost to Japan

 

Medium Points Cost Flight: Japan Airlines Premium Economy 

If you need a little space for your long journey to Japan, you could get to Japan on Japan Airlines’s (JAL) Premium Economy. For example, you can find flights direct from Chicago to Tokyo for only 50,000 American Airlines miles per person. 

JAL is known for its great food and premium service. While not as luxurious as Jess’s business-class experience, this Premium Economy flight offers roomy seats (some with leg rests), amenity kits, in-flight entertainment, and even lounge access. 

 

Medium Points Cost Hotel:  Caption by Hyatt – Namba Osaka  

If Osaka is on your list, you can get a bargain for your Hyatt points at Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka. The hotel is close to the Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine, a shopping district, and multiple theaters. 

A two-night stay at this property this October would cost you $700, but you could also book this stay with Hyatt points or Category 1-4 free night certificates! The Caption is a Category 2 and costs between 6,500 and 9,500 points per night for a standard room. That is a bargain for this location in popular Osaka. Bonus: there aren’t many Caption locations yet, so this could be a great way to earn a tricky-to-find Hyatt brand for Hyatt bingo.

I couldn’t find rooms with larger group availability at this property, but at that points price, you could easily get two rooms or contact the hotel to inquire about the Hyatt Family Plan Rate (50% off the cash rate of a second room). 

 

 

High Points Cost to Japan

High Points Cost Flight: ANA First Class 

All Nippon Airways (ANA) First Class is one of the best options to get to Japan in style and comfort with your points. ANA First Class offers just about any amenity you can imagine in the sky—check-in at the lounge, priority security, a lie-flat seat, chef-made meals, and more. ANA is a member of the Star Alliance, so you can either book directly with ANA or with a Star Alliance partner airline (if ANA has released availability to their partners), or with other partner airlines like Virgin Atlantic. 

Virgin Atlantic is an excellent option for booking this aspirational flight for fewer points than you might use booking through other programs, provided you can find availability. You can fly round-trip from the western U.S. to Japan for just 145,000 points round-trip, plus taxes and fees. While that’s a lot of points, for a luxury flight that’s more than 12 hours long, it’s a bargain. (Points girl math!) 

There are a few downsides. One thing to note is that you will need to call Virgin Atlantic to make this booking. Don’t let that dissuade you, though—I’ve found their reps to be very helpful when I’ve called in the past. As with many first-class products, there are a minimal number of seats available with points per flight. So if you’re traveling as a family, this flight might only work if your kids are old enough to fly on their own in another part of the plane. In addition, ANA awards usually can’t be booked with Virgin Atlantic points within 14 days of departure. Be sure to check out information on Virgin Atlantic award pricing on ANA flights before you book.

 

Use a Search Engine for Business Class

Using a search engine like pointsyeah.com will help you find business class seats at a reasonable price to travel in style. Here is a sample of what I found for the first few weeks in April 2026. Remember, these lead you to great deals, but never transfer points until you have verified the flights on the airline’s site.

 

 

High Points Cost Hotel: Conrad Tokyo 

The luxurious Conrad Tokyo is inside the Shiodome skyscraper and overlooks Tokyo Bay. It’s close to a train station, so you can easily get to the central part of Tokyo from this property. The hotel offers high-end restaurants and is home to a locally curated art collection. As you’d expect from a five-star luxury hotel, the Conrad has a gorgeous spa, which you may want to visit after a long day of Tokyo sightseeing! (They even offer moon yoga on the nights with full moons—so cool.) 

I found availability this fall for 100,000 Hilton points for a room that slept three people. Considering the $1,000+ per night cash cost of this hotel, that’s a fantastic value. If you have a valuable Hilton free-night certificate, the Conrad Tokyo would be an excellent property to use it for. 

 

 

Want to Know More About Japan?

Check out our new Family Guide to Japan on Points and Miles! Over 30 pages of step-by-step instructions on how to EARN then REDEEM points and miles for a nearly free family trip to Japan.

 

Bottom Line

Japan is still a hot ticket in 2025, but you can make it work for your family at a variety of price points if you can be flexible with your plans. Are you headed to Japan? Let us know in the comments! 

 

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