Japan is one of those destinations people delay for years. Too far, too expensive, too complicated. With Air China flying from Milan to Tokyo or Osaka from €554 return, those excuses get harder to hold onto.
✈️ The deal
- From: Milan, Italy
- To: Tokyo or Osaka, Japan
- Airline: Air China
- Stops: 1 stop (via Beijing — may involve airport change)
- Price: €554–€599 return
- When: September, November and December 2026
Milan – Tokyo example dates:
01/09/2026 – 15/09/2026
07/09/2026 – 28/09/2026
11/09/2026 – 29/09/2026
20/09/2026 – 15/10/2026
12/11/2026 – 24/11/2026
17/11/2026 – 26/11/2026
01/12/2026 – 16/12/2026
04/12/2026 – 20/12/2026
10/12/2026 – 22/12/2026
Milan – Osaka example dates:
01/09/2026 – 27/09/2026
09/09/2026 – 27/09/2026
16/09/2026 – 30/09/2026
03/11/2026 – 12/11/2026
02/12/2026 – 24/12/2026
💰 How far does your money go?
Japan has a reputation for being expensive, but day-to-day it often isn't. A bowl of ramen from a standing noodle bar costs around €5. A full bento from any 7-Eleven or FamilyMart runs €3 to €4. A cold beer from a convenience store comes in at under €2. What you'd spend on a pizza in Milan covers an entire day of eating here.
☀️ The weather
September is warm and humid in both Tokyo and Osaka, with temperatures around 27–32°C, easing off by late in the month. November is arguably Japan's best month to visit: clear skies, 14–20°C, and the country turning gold and red with autumn foliage. December is colder, between 7–12°C, but dry and quiet, with winter illuminations and festivals making it one of the most atmospheric times to be here.
🏨 Where to stay
Japan covers every budget, from spotless capsule hotels to some of the finest properties in Asia.
Imano Tokyo Ginza Hostel · 8.4/10 · From €45/night
Design-forward hostel in central Tokyo with private rooms available. A short walk from Tsukiji Market and some of the city's best ramen.
Shinjuku Granbell Hotel · 8.6/10 · From €90/night
Stylish mid-range hotel in the heart of Shinjuku, Tokyo's most electric neighbourhood. Excellent transport links and right in the middle of the action.
Swissotel Nankai Osaka · 9.2/10 · From €180/night
Top-rated five-star in the centre of Osaka, steps from Dotonbori. Spa, pool, and views over the city that justify every euro.
🎯 What to do
Two cities, two sides of Japan: Tokyo for scale and speed, Osaka for food and warmth.
Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo — The world's busiest pedestrian crossing is something else at night. Watch it from the Starbucks window above, then head up to one of the surrounding rooftop bars.
Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa — Tokyo's oldest temple is beautiful before the crowds arrive. Go just after sunrise and you'll have the stone lanterns and incense almost to yourself.
Dotonbori at night, Osaka — Neon, canal reflections, takoyaki stalls, yakitori smoke. Osaka's most famous stretch makes the most sense after dark. Come hungry.
teamLab Planets, Tokyo — Immersive digital art across five rooms, including knee-deep water installations and infinite flower projections. Book well in advance.
🗺️ Where to go from here
The bullet train makes Japan feel small. Both Tokyo and Osaka are ideal bases for the rest of the country.
Kyoto — 15 minutes from Osaka or 2h15 from Tokyo by Shinkansen. Bamboo groves, geisha districts, and more temples than you can fit in a week.
Nara — 45 minutes from Osaka. Wild deer roam the park freely, and Japan's largest bronze Buddha sits inside one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world.
Hiroshima and Miyajima — 45 minutes from Osaka by Shinkansen. The Peace Memorial is one of the most powerful sites in Japan. The floating torii gate at Miyajima is unlike anything else.
Hakone — 90 minutes from Tokyo. Mountain hot springs, traditional ryokan, and on clear days, an unobstructed view of Mount Fuji.
Nikko — 2 hours from Tokyo by train. Ornate mountain shrines buried in cedar forest, far from the main tourist circuit.
Dates across September, November and December. Milan to Tokyo or Osaka. Check prices before they move.
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