Ginkgo trees turning gold, steam rising from a ramen counter and a bullet train between two of the world's great food cities.
China Southern flies from London to Osaka with one stop in Guangzhou from £449 return, with two checked bags included. XiamenAir covers Tokyo from £456, with a short stop in Xiamen. Dates run from November to mid-December 2026.
✈️ The Deal
- From: London, United Kingdom
- To: Osaka or Tokyo, Japan
- Airline: China Southern (Osaka), XiamenAir (Tokyo)
- Stops: 1 stop (Guangzhou or Xiamen)
- Price: £449–£477 return
- When: November–December 2026
London to Osaka (China Southern):
27/11/2026 - 10/12/2026
01/12/2026 - 11/12/2026
04/12/2026 - 16/12/2026
04/12/2026 - 17/12/2026
04/12/2026 - 20/12/2026
London to Tokyo (XiamenAir):
06/11/2026 - 19/11/2026
20/11/2026 - 03/12/2026
The best Osaka fares fly from Gatwick, with stops of about 4 hours in Guangzhou out and 6 hours back. The 01/12 departure leaves from Heathrow with a 16-hour stop. Tokyo flights use Heathrow and Narita, with just 1h30 in Xiamen on the way out.
💰 How far does your money go?
A pint in a London pub now costs around £6.50. In Japan, a bowl of tonkotsu ramen is about ¥1,000, under £5, and a whisky highball in an izakaya is around ¥500, about £2.40. A salmon onigiri from a konbini costs ¥180, about 85p, and a metro ride across Tokyo starts at the same price. A single Tube fare buys three of them.
☀️ The Weather
November is crisp and bright, with highs of 16-18°C in Tokyo and Osaka and very little rain. By December, days settle at 10-13°C with clear blue skies, and nights drop to around 3-5°C. Late November and early December are peak autumn leaf season in both cities and in Kyoto.
🏨 Where to Stay
Two cities, three bases.
Nui. Hostel & Bar Lounge (Tokyo) · 9.0/10 · From £30/night
A converted warehouse in Kuramae, a short walk from Asakusa, with a bar that fills with locals at night.
Cross Hotel Osaka · 8.9/10 · From £110/night
A stylish hotel right by Dotonbori, so the neon and the street food are on your doorstep.
The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon · 9.2/10 · From £480/night
Leafy, calm interiors and a 31st-floor lobby with views of Tokyo Tower. The splurge.
🎯 What to Do
Japan rewards early mornings and long dinners.
Shibuya Sky at sunset: An open-air rooftop 229 metres above the famous crossing, with Mount Fuji on clear days.
Yanaka: Old Tokyo of wooden houses, temples and a small shopping street that survived the war.
Minoo Park: Autumn leaves, a 33-metre waterfall and maple leaf tempura, 30 minutes from central Osaka.
Tenjinbashisuji: Japan's longest shopping street, 2.6 km of covered arcade lined with cheap eateries and old shops.
🗺️ Where to Go From Here
With a rail pass or a cheap domestic flight, Japan opens up fast.
Lake Kawaguchiko: The classic Mount Fuji view, about 2 hours from Tokyo by bus.
Kanazawa: Samurai streets, gold leaf and one of Japan's finest gardens, about 2h30 by shinkansen from Tokyo.
Koyasan: Temple stays and a forest cemetery on a sacred mountain, about 2 hours from Osaka by train.
Sapporo: Snow, ramen and craft beer from December, about 1h35 by air from Tokyo. Search flights
Okinawa: Subtropical beaches and 22°C in December, about 2 hours by air from Osaka. Search flights
From £449 return to Japan in leaf season, with checked bags on the Osaka fare. Pick your city and book.
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