Haneda or Narita
Haneda is worth a modest premium. It is 30 minutes from Shinagawa on the Keikyu line against 60–90 minutes and roughly triple the fare from Narita, and it handles late-evening arrivals that would strand you at NRT after the last express.
United's LAX–NRT non-stop is often the lowest fare on this city pair. If your itinerary continues domestically within Japan, check whether it departs from Haneda — the inter-airport transfer eats any saving.
When to book
Two reliable spikes: cherry blossom in late March and early April, and Golden Week in the first week of May. Both sell out months ahead. The best-value windows are late January to February and October to early November, when fares start around $720.
Book 3 to 5 months ahead for spring travel and 6 to 10 weeks for everything else. Japanese carriers release discounted economy in a narrow band and it goes quickly.
On arrival
US passport holders do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days, but you must complete the Visit Japan Web immigration and customs declaration in advance — do it before you fly, as the airport wi-fi queue is slow. Haneda arrivals clear immigration in around 20 minutes. If you plan to ride the Shinkansen, order a JR Pass before you leave.
Airlines and fares on this route
Indicative return fares for one adult in economy, seen in the last 30 days. Availability at these prices is limited and changes continuously.
| Airline | Routing | Journey | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANA | LAX → HND non-stop | 11h 40m | $742 |
| Japan Airlines | LAX → HND non-stop | 11h 45m | $758 |
| Delta Air Lines | LAX → HND non-stop | 11h 50m | $720 |
| American Airlines | LAX → HND non-stop | 11h 55m | $735 |
| United Airlines | LAX → NRT non-stop | 11h 35m | $689 |
Phone-only consolidator fares on this route are frequently below the figures above. Call +1 (877) 413-3006 for a live quote — the consultation is free.