Japan
Japan is a trip to the future and the past simultaneously. A country so steeped in tradition and craftsmanship, yet embracing of technology and innovation. Each time I visit this special place, I leave appreciative of how unique of a society it is. As exciting as that uniqueness is, it can also feel foreign and perhaps unapproachable. To help quell any doubt, Annette and I have compiled some recommendations so you can make the most of your time in this beautiful country while also making the most of your points.
Cherry blossoms along the Megro River in Tokyo
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Getting to Japan
While multiple carriers provide nonstop service to Japan, there are three that offer outsized value on points redemptions:
ANA (All Nippon Airways), Star Alliance
By far the best value, can be booked direct via ANA for a round trip or you can book one way tickets via Virgin Atlantic by calling. Virgin is the way to go since full round trip tickets are difficult to find.
ANA is a transfer partner of American Express.
JAL (Japan Airlines), One World
110k to 160k miles for a First Class RT to Tokyo, you can book via Alaska Airlines (140k from NYC) or American Airlines (160k from NYC).
JAL is a transfer partner of Alaska Airlines & American Airlines.
United, Star Alliance
While the Biz and First Class redemptions aren’t great deals, United Economy Saver awards are priced at only 35k miles each way for a direct flight between NYC & Tokyo.
United is a transfer partner of Chase.
🧭 If you need help transferring miles or finding availability, book a credit card consult here.
Card recommendations
Based on current offers available, I would recommend the following cards as you plan your trip:
Chase Sapphire cards offer best in class insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and valuable points for Hyatt, United and many other travel partners. You may only have one Sapphire card at any given point in time, and the lower annual fee of $95 makes the Preferred my suggestion for those getting started in the world of points.
Capital One® Venture X Rewards Credit Card
If you already have a Chase Sapphire card and you’re looking to take your points game to the next level, it’s hard to compete with the value offered by the Venture X. Not only do you get $300 of your $395 annual fee reimbursed when you book any travel in the Capital One portal, but you’re also awarded 10,000 miles each anniversary year (equivalent to at least $100 when redeemed or transferred), and of course the $100 Global Entry / TSA Pre-check reimbursement. Last but not least, access to Plaza Premium lounges, including my new favorite lounge in NYC, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.
Mesm Tokyo, Marriott Autograph Collection
Hotels
There’s no shortage of hotels, hostels and home rentals in Japan, including some more unique options like ryokan, traditional Japanese inns typically situated on or near natural thermal hot springs, and capsule hotels which are the epitome of space-saving minimalism for those on a budget in a major city.
Based on our experience, it’s easier and much more comfortable to focus your search on the larger global hotel chains. Brands like Marriott, Hyatt & Hilton offer hotels across most budgets, and there are plenty of opportunities to get outsized value when redeeming points. These chains also have much larger and more luxurious rooms and amenities compared to local brands. Check out our city guides below for specific recommendations.
Eat & Drink
Generally speaking, our favorite Japanese restaurants have limited menus and focus on perfecting a few dishes versus offering something for everyone. Here’s a few of the different kinds of restaurants you’ll find in Japan:
Noodles (Ramen, Soba, Udon)
Rice (Sushi / Nigiri, Donburi, Curry)
Grilled Foods (Yakitori - Chicken, Yakiton - Pork, Yakiniku - Beef)
Fried (Tempura, Tonkatsu - Pork Cutlets)
Plus, some of the best pizza you'll find in the world!
Curry at KariKari Spice, Tokyo
Matcha and Mochi, Kyoto
Shoyu ramen, Tokyo
Marinara pizza at SAVOY, Tokyo
Reservations
While some restaurants allow for online or email reservations, we recommend using your hotel or a credit card with concierge services to book reservations on your behalf. This will save you time and stress once you arrive so you can focus on enjoying the experience!
Credit Card Concierge
Cards like the American Express Platinum or Gold, Capital One Venture X, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Preferred, and Citi Premiere all offer concierge services.
We recommend requesting reservations for only a few (2-4) places at a time, starting with your most coveted. For example, if eating at Sushi Jiro is on your bucket list, you may want to limit your request to securing that reservation before moving on to others.
Before typing your requests into a chat window or email, be sure to draft your letter in a Google Doc so you can easily copy/paste to other credit cards or directly to your hotel.
Lastly, restaurants and hotels may have multiple locations, so be sure to specify which location is ideal when you submit the request.
Hotel Concierge
All of our Hyatt and Marriott recommendations have concierges on staff.
This is great for last-minute bookings, but there’s no need to wait until you’re there – you can email the concierge with requests in preparation for your stay.
If the credit card concierge cannot help you, it’s worth asking the hotel since they may have insider access.
Now that you have a full team of folks dedicated to making reservations for you, it may be tempting to over-schedule your itinerary. Before you do that, be mindful of whether you’ll want to be so scheduled and try to account for jet lag. Perhaps stick to early dinners for your first few days and progress to later seatings over time.
To continue reading, please check out one of our city guides:
Coming soon: Osaka
Editorial disclosure
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired.
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