
JAL wants visitors from overseas to see more than just Tokyo during the Tokyo Summer Games.
Japan is expecting a huge influx of overseas travelers next summer, when Tokyo hosts the Summer Olympics. But as exciting a city as Tokyo is, especially with the boost it’ll be getting from the Games, there’s more to see in Japan than just its capital.
So to help visitors see other parts of the country, Japan Airlines (a.k.a. JAL) is offering 100,000 free plane tickets to foreign travelers next summer. The round-trip tickets will be for domestic routes that connect to Tokyo’s Haneda, Osaka’s Kansai International, and Hokkaido’s New Chitose airports. With Haneda and Kansai being two of Japan’s largest international hubs, the free tickets should allow international travelers to easily add an in-Japan side trip to their Olympic travel itinerary at either the start or finish of their time in Japan.
JAL will begin taking applications for the free tickets in February, with non-Japanese members of its mileage club eligible to receive the freebies. The round-trip domestic line tickets can be used between the beginning of July and the end of September, straddling the Olympics themselves, will take place from July 24 and August 9.
There is one catch, or perhaps an exciting wrinkle, depending on how adventurous you are. While the round-trip tickets will all connect to Haneda, Kansai, or Chitose, you don’t choose where you’ll be going from there. The mid-point destination of the round-trip tickets is up to JAL, which is hoping that the program will encourage travel to less-publicized parts of Japan. Still, with each part of Japan having its own unique charm, this is an amazingly generous offer, and considering some of the hotel bargains available in Japan, an incredibly affordable way to see more than just Tokyo during your stay.
Source: Tele Asa News via Hachima Kiko
Top image: Pakutaso
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he’d happily accept a free round-trip ticket to wherever.

Japan Airlines is giving away free domestic flights to international tourists
Japan Airlines staff reassigned to work as shrine maidens during coronavirus travel downturn
Applications for the ticket lottery for Tokyo 2020 Olympics matches and ceremonies are now open!
Japanese airlines offer discounted fares to international tourists
Japan Airlines debuts airport translation panels, translation error quickly results
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Lipton releases… Pudding Milk Tea in Japan?!?
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan Airlines concludes cabin attendant drank bottle of champagne during flight
Japan Airlines re-re-releasing happi famously once worn by the Beatles
Disney’s lovable mascot flies high — Duffy takes to the air on JAL Happy Journey Express planes!
Eat up, take off – The 20 best airport restaurants in Japan, as chosen by travelers
Japan Airlines flight attendant shares packing pro-tips, cool clear file trick【Video】
Japanese gacha capsule vending machines now sell random-destination airplane ticket discounts
Tokyo Olympic Committee considering using “instant transmission” during the Olympic Torch relay
New ANA air pass with unlimited Japanese house rentals, multiple flights now taking applications
Tokyo Olympics will take place as scheduled “with or without COVID” says IOC exec
Advice for Tokyo 2020 Olympics volunteers: Dress like a Japanese ninja
Free Wi-Fi announced for Tokyo Monorail
Japanese government freezes inbound air reservations for foreign residents and Japanese citizens
9 ways Tokyo could become more foreigner-friendly in time for the 2020 Olympics
Free Shinkansen tickets for kids travelling with parents during special JR promotion
Should the 2020 (now 2021) Tokyo Olympics be cancelled? Japanese citizens are divided