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Cheap Flights from San Diego to Japan

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 5 days
Sort by: Cheapest
Tokyo
11h 45mNonstop
from $912per person
Fukuoka
16h 10m2 stops
from $997per person
Osaka
14h 50m2 stops
from $999per person
Nagoya
15h 05m2 stops
from $1,004per person
Sapporo
14h 00m2 stops
from $1,057per person
Okinawa
17h 10m2 stops
from $1,100per person
Nagasaki
21h 05m3 stops
from $1,103per person
Kumamoto
19h 50m4 stops
from $1,398per person
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for San Diego to Japan flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

Are flights from San Diego to Japan cheaper or more expensive than last year?

Fares from San Diego to Japan are running about the same as they were around this time last year, averaging $1,077 round-trip.

What are the cheapest fares from San Diego to Japan right now?

Here are the cheapest round-trip fares from San Diego to Japan on KAYAK in the last week:

• Tokyo Narita (NRT) from $912
• Fukuoka (FUK) from $997
• Osaka Kansai Intl (KIX) from $999
• Nagoya Chubu Centrair Intl (NGO) from $1,004
• Sapporo Chitose (CTS) from $1,057

What’s the cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Japan?

February is the cheapest time of year to fly, with average fares of $883. Prices are highest in June, when average flight costs increase to around $1,395.

When is the best time to book flights from San Diego to Japan?

Book your flights 26 weeks before your trip. KAYAK data collected over the past 12 months shows that booking in this window can save you around 12% compared to booking last-minute (within 2 weeks of departure).

Which airport in Japan is the cheapest to fly to from San Diego?

Based on KAYAK data from the past 12 months, the cheapest airports to fly into Japan are:

• Miyazaki (KMI) from $707
• Okinawa Naha (OKA) from $1,048
• Nagasaki (NGS) from $1,095

What’s the cheapest day to fly from San Diego to Japan?

Tuesday tends to be the cheapest day to fly from San Diego to Japan, while Friday is the most expensive. Fares run about 15% higher that day, based on the past 12 months of KAYAK data.

What's the cheapest time of day to fly from San Diego to Japan?

Data from the past 12 months shows it's cheapest to fly to Japan during the morning with average prices of $1,106. The afternoon is the most expensive time to fly, with average prices of $1,252.

Key details for San Diego to Japan flights

Low season

July

Cheapest flight

$430
The most popular month to fly with an average 36% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from San Diego to Okinawa

Your San Diego to Japan flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • Is now a good time to book a flight from San Diego to Japan?

    Yes. Fares from San Diego to Japan are low right now. As a rule of thumb, a round-trip under $945 (cheaper than most fares this year) is a good deal, so if you spot one at or below that, it's a good time to book.

  • How much should I budget for a flight from San Diego to Japan?

    Over the past 12 months, round-trip fares from San Diego to Japan have ranged from $945 to $1,412.

  • What are the main airports serving Japan?

    Japan has 12 airports. The three busiest are Tokyo Narita (NRT) (64% of arrivals), Tokyo Haneda (HND) (23%) and Osaka Kansai Intl (KIX) (6%).

  • What airlines fly nonstop from San Diego to Japan?

    Based on the flight schedule for the next 3 months, just one airline regularly flies nonstop from San Diego to Japan: Japan Airlines.

  • Where in Japan can I fly nonstop from San Diego?

    Based on the flight schedule for the next 3 months, you can only fly nonstop from San Diego to Tokyo.

  • Is it cheaper to fly with a layover from San Diego to Japan?

    Yes. Nonstop flights from San Diego to Japan average $1,222 over the past 12 months, but flights with a layover can cost less. The most affordable connecting airports are:

    • San Jose (SJC) from $893
    • Honolulu (HNL) from $1,002
    • Vancouver Intl (YVR) from $1,115

  • How long is a flight from San Diego to Japan?

    Flights from San Diego to Japan take 11h 57m on average.

  • How often are flights from San Diego to Japan delayed and what's the average delay?

    32% of flights on this route are delayed by at least 15 minutes. The average delay is 1h 56m.

  • Which cabin classes are available on flights from San Diego to Japan?

    On flights from San Diego to Japan you can book Economy Class, Premium Economy Class, Business Class or First Class.

  • What are some popular landmarks in Japan?

    KAYAK travelers' favorite landmark in Japan is Akihabara Electric Town.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from San Diego to Japan?

    The earliest nonstop flight from San Diego to Japan departs at 11:45 am and the latest departs at 1:00 pm. Nonstop flights take about 11h 57m.

  • Are there direct flights from San Diego, California, to Japan?

    Yes, there are non-stop flight options between the city of San Diego and the country of Japan. The direct flights are operated out of San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Narita International Airport (NRT), just outside of Tokyo. The airline offering these daily flights is Japan Airlines.

  • Is a visa required for travelers going to Japan from San Diego?

    No, U.S. citizens are not required to have a tourist visa to travel to Japan as long as they don’t plan on staying in the country for more than 90 days. Passengers must arrive with proof of a departing flight out of Japan within that time frame, as well as a valid passport with a free page for an entry stamp.

  • Which is the best airport to fly into to visit Mount Fuji?

    Mount Fuji is probably one of the most iconic Japanese attractions. The closest airport to this famous mountain and its national park, Fuji Hakone Izu National Park, is Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND). This airport is located south of the center of Tokyo, from where you can get to the national park in just over an hour or so.

  • Is there public transportation from the main airport in Tokyo to the city center?

    The largest airport in Tokyo is Narita International Airport (NRT). There are a few train lines via Japan Rail connecting the airport to the city center. Depending on whether you take an express rail or not, you can expect to pay about ¥1340-3000 ($19-27). The closest international airport to Tokyo is Haneda International Airport (HND). The public transportation available from here is the monorail or train, costing about ¥410 ($4).

Your guide to booking San Diego to Japan flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If you can plan ahead, the sweet spot for booking your flight is 26 weeks before your trip. KAYAK data shows fares in this window are around 12% lower than last-minute bookings (made within 2 weeks of departure). Not ready to commit? Set a Price Alert and we'll let you know when prices change.
  • If your travel dates are flexible, book your trip for February when flights are typically cheapest and avoid June when prices are at their highest.
  • Flying on Tuesday is usually the cheapest. Flights on Friday cost about 15% more on average, so being flexible with your travel dates could help you save.
  • If you're looking to save, Miyazaki (KMI) is the cheapest airport to fly into from San Diego. If you have onward travel, don't forget to factor in the cost of your journey by train, bus or domestic flight.
  • Start your trip in Tokyo, which is the most popular destination in Japan. From there, it's easy to continue on to other popular destinations such as Osaka, Kyoto and Sapporo.
  • If you want the shortest trip, choose the San Diego to Japan nonstop route. If you'd rather save money, the route via San Jose (SJC) is usually the cheapest.
  • The best airport to fly to in the center of Japan, with access to both northern and southern areas, is Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX). From here, you will be near top attractions such as the Osaka Castle, the Kofuku-ji Temples of Nara, and the historic city of Kyoto with its Imperial Palace and bamboo forest.
  • Even though there are possible non-stop flights between San Diego and Japan, you will most likely find more options with at least one layover, especially if you wish to fly into cities apart from Tokyo. The layovers are generally in airports like Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Seattle/Tacoma International Airport (SEA), and Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT), if you’re connecting to a different city in Japan.
  • Both of the two main airports in Japan, Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) and Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX), have hotels onsite as well as conference rooms, lounges with Wi-Fi and work stations. This is ideal for business travelers with early flights or those visiting on a tight schedule.
  • If you’re a traveler that gets a bit anxious prior to flying, San Diego International Airport (SAN) has a few services available to help you relax before your overseas flight to Japan. For instance, in Terminal 2, you’ll find a spa and wellness center to relax.
  • For those planning on traveling to Japan with infants who would like to rent a car or use taxis, rear-facing child car seats are mandatory from ages 0-6. Check if you need to bring one along or if your car rental agency has any available.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from San Diego to Japan

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from San Diego to Japan? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.3
Japan AirlinesOverall score based on 1933 reviews
8.4Boarding
8.2Comfort
8.7Crew
7.8Entertainment
7.7Food
Airline reviews

They didn't tell me they changed my flight. So I got confused on what happened to my flight.

6.0 GoodDade, Jun 2026
Read more Japan Airlines reviews

They didn't tell me they changed my flight. So I got confused on what happened to my flight.

The flight was delightful overall. The check-in and boarding were on smooth and on time. Amenities and staffs were elevated. However, if glasses were served instead of cups, there should be a complete premium.

Sure I would’ve liked a little more space, but it was better than economy. I bring my own food because I have food allergies it would be nice if they offered larger salads or more vegetables instead of starch it was really a good flight. I don’t wanna complain. I’m grateful to fly at all safely. Thank you to the pilots.

American Airlines food is horrible. Also, paid to fly JAL on all segments, but received a much lower quality. I was disappointed to learn that we would be using American Airlines on this flight, which has less comfort, entertainment, choices, and lower standard of service. Overall not satisfied.

Food was very mediocre. Economy is pretty uncomfortable. Crew was excellent and responsive.

My plans changed and I tried to cancel or change the flight for credit but was giving the run around and denied . Not great

Good experience for economy transpacific. Reasonable comfortable seats. Food was not as good as I expected or had on other prior transpacific flights but likely attribute that to rising cost of supplies. Staff is courteous. Overall, very good.

We booked business class round trip from Delhi to San Diego and back. On our last leg from Bangalore to Delhi we were down graded to economy class which was big disappointment other than that everything was great.

Truly impressive service in the air. After the main meal, they have a delicious a la carte menu that you can order anytime until 1.5 hrs prior to landing. Flight crew were so pleasant and very efficient. Wish I could fly JAL more often!

It was an outstanding flight and service. The only thing is the seat cushion for economy could be a little more comfortable. More cushion.

I’ve always had pleasant experiences with ANA and that has made me a loyal customer.

UA discouraged people to choose seat on economy class by charging about three times of another airlines. For example, ANA will charge USD60 to choose an aisle seat but UA is charging USD 219.

Roomy airlines. Friendly staff. Timely service. Temp was warm during the flight.

The food was terrible and totally inedible. If you are flying with ANA/United bring your own food it was a long flight to be hingry

I thought I bought the ticket directly through Kayak not a 3rd party

When I checked in, it printed two bag tags. The helper said they would cancel the other. They canceled both and my bag was left behind

The ladies are great seats should be a little bigger!

Couple of hours delayed, we had to re-booked our Shinkansen reservation twice. United Aiines need to improve their time!

I originally thought I was booking with ANA airlines and didn't see "operated by United" until the day of. I even thought the United check-in update was a scam so ended up checking in 3 hours before the flight, causing separate seating and uncomfortable middle seats.

Very disappointing. Our flight was delayed for almost 6 hours with the lost time disrupting our travel plans. United should have known that any delay (approximately and hour) triggered a no-fly/work because according to the FAA they had to many flight hours. After the mechanical delay (approximately an hour) we had to wait for a fresh crew change. Seems to me that United could have anticipated this incident. Again, a very disappointing travel experience.

Smooth boarding process and comfy seats! Will definitely fly Alaska Airlines again!

Stop with the fake cheerfulness and the too often expressed sentiment that all you care about is our safety. Bull…. You use that as an excuse to keep us cowering in our seats. How about you go back to the old standby of telling the truth… like why you overbook, why you are delayed, why we don’t get vouchers for your screwups.

No communication on fact flight was delayed. Sat in sweltering plane for 45 min without explanation. Sat on airplane without explanation again after landing.understand delays happen but lack of communication and concern for my lost time was disappointing

Very good. Plane was newly renovated so everything was very clean

My first leg was canceled 3 hr before leaving. My return trip left late. I leave it to Alaska higher ups to figure out what can be improved. Just put yourself in the passengers position.

This flight was miserable. Initially delayed due to weather in Las Vegas. Gate staff did not explain it was due to weather, blamed air traffic control which is harder to understand as it was a scheduled flight- ATC should know we were coming and the landing slot should have been secured. Airplane on the ground for 3 hours in San Diego. Then when the pilots got on, it required maintenance. Could have figured that out hours ago. Then when we got on the plan, pilots had to switch out which further delayed us. New pilot spent some time talking on the PA- wish he would have just gone up and flew the plane. Got in the air (finally). Then they canceled in flight service (they had time to serve, it was just an ERJ). Southwest serves a whole 737 on this route pretty much every time.

Several gate changes and then the plane kept getting delayed. The delay is understandable but this constant gate change I think twice or three times is just ridiculous.

We got in the plane late we still got to our destination on time. I wished Airlines would make people that put their luggage above were smaller maybe they would all fit and get them out easier customers like myself pay for her luggage in the back when your in a hurry to go to another destination it’s very frustrating for everyone to take their time to get their luggage down and wait because they don’t want to pay.

The plane smelled like an aquarium. Many passengers noted it smelled like fish. We then sat on the plane for over 2 hours before taking off

The flight was very late departing the gate, for unknown reasons.

The only issue is that the plane was HOT. This was not the case on my first flight so not sure why, but thankfully I had a portable fan with me. Everything else was great!

Seats were old and very uncomfortable. Coach seating is way too tight

Flight was delayed at airport with large backlog and WiFi was spotty

Flight was delayed from San Diego due to being overweight for weather conditions. We missed our connecting flight to our final destination due to the delay, as well as the connecting flight leaving before the scheduled departure time. We missed the connection within 10 - 15 minutes. We were booked on a later flight arriving 7 hours later. There were 7 passengers sharing the same originating and connecting flight.

Horrible, mismanaged ground issue resulting in a long delayed, next flight left early, waiting extra 7 hours in the airport, screen did not work

The internet on these planes stinks. Need to get starlink

Very good flight. Crew was great. No issues and we even arrived early.

Loved the crew! Sucks that we went from 1 hour and 8 minute layover to a 3 hour layover. But weather sucks like that.

Delayed flight (1hour) plus a long layover after an overnight flight with no backup plane available.

Crew was excellent. Comfort seats not as nice as other kinds of planes.

Entertainment was great. Seats were good. They did not have my pre-ordered hot food product available but did comp me something cold in place of the item.

Food was good. Clean aircraft. But why do the airlines make the seats so narrow?! Your executives should have ride in a seat so restrictive for 11 hours and see how miserable it is! When.we got to MUC they changed my boarding gate 3 times for my next flight!!!!

Flight was on time, clean, etc. Despite connecting to your wi fi I was unable to use your app to watch entertainment.

The back to back mechanical delays from Denver to San Diego and then on my return flight from Denver to Great Falls it added extra time both ways

Service was professional and quick. Premium economy seat was comfortable given the class

The staff was extremely helpful and friendly at all times! They went above and beyond to get us into an earlier flight in San Diego to make our connection in SFO possible, because our original flight did actually not make it! I did so much appreciate the UA team and how they made this possible. We also didn’t have seats together on the long flight to Singapore, but they found us seats together last moment with no additional cost! Nobody sat next to us, so that we were able to sleep! Thanks to UA for improving their service and Underpricer for booking this trip! Please be careful: 1,5 hrs for transfer in San Francisco might not be enough time in the future

Over 2.5 hour maintenance delay on first morning flight with no acknowledgement, compensation or even gesture of good will. Aircraft had overnighted at airport so issue should have been addressed prior to boarding. Over 3.5 hours before first slow and deliberate beverage service.

Complimentary light meal would be appreciated. But great flight crew service on all legs

The food was terrible this time. Otherwise pleasant, quiet, on-time.

I was in first class. The outlets at my seat did not work. The plane was shabby and run down. I had prepurchsed a day subscription for internet that was not redeemable. I had to repurchase the internet for my flight and then it didn’t work anyway. Quite disappointed in what was supposed to be the launch of a great vacation.

More options for your flight from San Diego to Japan

Complete your trip to Japan with a hotel stay or car rental