- Travel
- News & Advice
The scheme aims to ease overtourism in popular destinations such as Tokyo and Kyoto
Joanna WhiteheadWednesday 26 November 2025 09:13 GMTComments
Discover Okinawa's Iheya Island on a trip to Japan (Getty Images)
Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts
Get Simon Calder’s Travel email
Get Simon Calder’s Travel email
Email*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice
Japan’s largest airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) is offering free domestic flights for British and European travellers this winter.
The initiative, which runs from 24 November to 31 January 2026, enables eligible passengers to book up to two complimentary internal flights on an international booking.
The scheme aims to reduce overtourism in popular destinations such as Tokyo and Kyoto, encouraging visitors to discover lesser-visited regions.
To be eligible for the offer, passengers must pay for a flight from Britain or Europe to Japan with ANA.
It applies to standard class flights only and passengers may have to pay tax and visa fees.
Domestic flights do not need to start and finish at the same airport, offering flexibility to see more of the country.
While the offer runs for a limited period, the actual flights can take place outside of this time.
ANA flies to over 40 Japanese destinations, including Hokkaido, Okinawa, Fukuoka and Nagasaki, meaning there’s plenty of scope for adventure.
The airline says it hopes that the scheme will “make regional exploration… easier and genuinely affordable” and enable “deeper, more sustainable engagement with Japan’s culturally diverse regions.”
Find out more and book your flights here.
The new initiative comes several months after the East Asian country established an administrative body aimed at easing the effects of over-tourism.
The body claims to serve as a cross-agency “control tower” to respond to issues such as crime and over-tourism involving foreigners, the government said.
“Crimes and disorderly conduct by some foreigners, as well as the inappropriate use of various administrative systems, have created a situation in which the public feels uneasy and cheated,” said a spokesperson.
Japan welcomed a record 36 million tourists in 2024, according to official figures.
Read more: Is the Japan tourism bubble at risk of bursting?
More about
All Nippon AirwaysJapanovertourismJoin our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments