Japan has always felt just out of reach. Not anymore. Air China is flying from London Gatwick to Tokyo from £442 return this autumn, one of the lowest prices on this route in years.
✈️ The deal
- From: London Gatwick
- To: Tokyo, Japan
- Airline: Air China
- Stops: 1 stop
- Price: £442–£499 return
- When: September, October, November 2026
Example dates:
09/09/2026 – 14/10/2026
16/09/2026 – 14/10/2026
19/11/2026 – 13/12/2026
23/11/2026 – 10/12/2026
💰 How far does your money go?
Tokyo has a reputation for being expensive. The reality is different. A bowl of ramen costs around £4. A beer in an izakaya runs £3–4. A set lunch at a local restaurant, rice, miso, protein and pickles, comes to roughly £6. Day to day, Tokyo is considerably cheaper than London.
☀️ The weather
September is warm and humid in Tokyo, with temperatures around 24–28°C. October cools into something close to perfect: clear skies, 17–23°C, and the first red and gold in the trees. November drops to 10–17°C, crisp and dry. Autumn in Tokyo is one of the best times to visit Japan.
🏨 Where to stay
Tokyo has excellent options at every budget.
MYSTAYS Premier Akasaka · 8.7/10 · From £68/night Central Tokyo, five minutes from the subway. Well-run and well-priced, close to Roppongi.
Hotel Groove Shinjuku · 8.5/10 · From £115/night Right in the heart of Shinjuku. Great base for nightlife, shopping and easy access across the city.
The Blossom Hibiya · 9.0/10 · From £155/night Polished, design-focused hotel next to Hibiya Park. City views, calm atmosphere.
🎯 What to do
Tokyo is dense with things to do. These four are worth prioritising.
Shibuya Crossing: The most famous pedestrian crossing in the world. Go at night for the full spectacle.
Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa: Tokyo's oldest temple. Visit early morning to beat the crowds. The Nakamise market street is worth an hour on its own.
Izakaya hopping in Shinjuku: The narrow lanes of Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho) are lined with small skewered-meat bars. Pull up a stool and order whatever looks good.
TeamLab Planets: A vast immersive digital art installation in Toyosu. Unlike anything else in the city. Book ahead, it sells out weeks in advance.
🗺️ Where to go from here
Tokyo is a gateway. Japan rewards going further.
Kyoto: Japan's old capital, temples, bamboo groves and traditional inns. 2h 15min on the Shinkansen.
Osaka: Louder, cheaper and arguably the best food city in Japan. 2h 30min by bullet train.
Nikko: Ornate mountain shrines in pine forest. Brilliant for autumn foliage. 1h 40min by direct train.
Kamakura: Seaside town with a giant bronze Buddha. An easy day trip, one hour south of Tokyo.
Hakone: Onsen, ryokan, and Fuji on the horizon on a clear day. 1h 30min from Shinjuku.
Air China flies via Beijing. With a layover of 24 hours or more, you may qualify for a free transit hotel. Worth checking before you book.
£442 for Japan this autumn. Dates are moving. Check and book now.
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