Quick Summary
Japan is Australia's most popular international destination and one of the most achievable on points — with Pointrs across 16 airlines covering every route from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Cairns to Tokyo. The best-value redemptions in 2026 are: ANA non-stop Economy from Sydney or Perth at 42,500 points (saving 147,500 points, Pointr #8925 and #46); Qantas and JAL non-stop Economy from Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane at 51,500 points (saving 40,500 points); and Business Class return on Qantas, JAL, or ANA from any of those cities at 80,000–85,000 points, saving 122,000–325,000 points versus the standard rate. The cheapest cash-equivalent Business Class deal is from $1,599 on ANA or All Airlines from Sydney (save up to $4,401, Pointr #47 and #36292). First Class return from Sydney on JAL is available from $3,399 (save up to $8,601, Pointr #15112) or 120,000 points (save 190,400 points, Pointr #13760). Jetstar operates non-stop from Brisbane and Cairns at 49,400 points, but the saving versus standard is far smaller — prioritise Qantas, JAL, or ANA for genuine value. The ANA Tokyo hub also unlocks connecting routes — Sydney to London, Frankfurt, Paris, Vienna, Munich, Milan, Stockholm, and beyond — via ANA's Tokyo hub at prices unavailable on direct routes.
Japan is the most-searched international destination for Australian travellers — and the best news for points collectors is that the Australia–Japan corridor is one of the most generously priced routes in the entire Qantas, JAL, and ANA award catalogues.
The reason is simple: Qantas, Japan Airlines, and ANA all operate non-stop services between Australia's east coast and Tokyo, and all three programmes price those routes at 51,500 points return for Economy and 80,000–85,000 points return for Business Class — some of the best rates available for a premium long-haul route anywhere in the world.
Pointrs tracks all active Australia-to-Japan Pointrs across 16 airlines. This guide uses that data to show exactly what the route costs from every AU gateway, in every cabin, on every airline — and which combinations deliver the highest value for the points you already hold.
How many points does it cost to fly to Japan from Australia?
Flying to Japan from Australia costs 42,500–123,200 points return depending on the airline, cabin, and departure city. The cheapest Economy return is 42,500 ANA points from Sydney (Pointr #8925, saving 147,500 points) or Perth (Pointr #46, saving 147,500 points). Qantas and JAL price Economy return from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane at 51,500 points (saving 40,500 points). Business Class return from Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane costs 80,000 Qantas or JAL points (saving 122,000–136,000 points), 85,000 ANA points from Sydney or Perth (saving 325,000 points), or from $1,599 cash equivalent on ANA (Pointr #47) or All Airlines from Sydney (Pointr #36292, save up to $4,401). First Class return from Sydney on JAL costs from 120,000 points (saving 190,400, Pointr #13760) or $3,399 (saving up to $8,601, Pointr #15112). Jetstar flies non-stop from Brisbane at 49,400 points and Cairns at 49,400 points, but the saving versus standard is small. All AU-to-Japan Pointrs are searchable on Pointrs by cabin, airline, and origin city.
The non-stop options — who flies direct from Australia to Tokyo
Four airlines operate non-stop services from Australian cities to Tokyo Narita (NRT): Qantas from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane; Japan Airlines from Sydney and Melbourne; ANA from Sydney and Perth; and Jetstar from Brisbane and Cairns.
| AIRLINE | NON-STOP FROM | ECONOMY RETURN | BUSINESS RETURN | POINTR # |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas | SYD, MEL, BNE | 51,500 pts (save 40,500) | 80,000 pts (save 122K–136K) or $2,299 (save $3,701) | #6467, #5137, #9139 (SYD) |
| Japan Airlines | SYD, MEL | 51,500 pts (save 40,500) | 80,000 pts (save 136,000) or $2,299 (save $3,701) | #6468, #403 (SYD) / #6469, #402 (MEL) |
| ANA | SYD, PER | 42,500 pts (save 147,500) | 85,000 pts (save 325,000) or $1,599 (save $4,401) | #8925, #8665, #47 (SYD) / #46, #8667, #8803 (PER) |
| Jetstar | BNE, CNS | 49,400 pts (save 14,600 BNE / 2,600 CNS) | $2,199 (save $3,801) or 123,200 pts | #12265 (BNE) / #12545 (CNS) |
| All Airlines | SYD, MEL, BNE | 42,500–51,500 pts | 80,000 pts (save 122K–330K) or from $1,599 | #36286, #36290, #36292 (SYD) |
ANA — the cheapest Economy and best Business savings from Australia
ANA is the standout value on the Australia–Japan corridor. Its non-stop Economy return from Sydney costs just 42,500 ANA Mileage Club points — saving 147,500 points versus the standard 190,000-mile rate, and the cheapest Economy seat on any airline from Australia to Tokyo. From Perth, the same 42,500 points applies (Pointr #46, save 147,500).
ANA Business Class return from Sydney is 85,000 points — saving 325,000 points versus standard. That's the highest absolute saving of any Business Class on the route. The cash-equivalent deal from Sydney at $1,599 return (Pointr #47) is also the cheapest Business Class cash deal on the corridor.
ANA also unlocks a secondary benefit no other carrier on this list provides: because Tokyo is ANA's hub, Sydney and Perth customers can book onward connections through Tokyo to Europe at prices that beat direct routes. Sydney–Frankfurt via Tokyo on ANA costs 164,000 points Business Class return, saving 276,000 points (Pointr #13931). Sydney–London on ANA via Tokyo: 164,000 points Business return, saving 276,000 points (Pointr #13936). These are among the best Sydney-to-Europe Business Class deals available to Australians on any carrier.
Sydney to Tokyo — Economy Class Return — ANA Airlines (non-stop)
(non-stop)
Pay also any taxes, fees and surcharges
See how to book this →Sydney → Tokyo Business Return with ANA Airlines
Save 325,000 points!Pointr #8665: Fly Sydney to Tokyo Business Return with ANA (non-stop) for only 85,000 Airline Points - Save 325,000 points!
Sydney → Tokyo Business Return with ANA Airlines
Save up to $4,401!Pointr #47: Fly Sydney to Tokyo Business Return with ANA (non-stop) for only $1,599 - Save up to $4,401!
Qantas — non-stop from three east coast cities at 80,000 points Business
Qantas operates non-stop to Tokyo from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane — and prices Business Class return at 80,000 Qantas Points from all three cities. From Sydney, that saves 136,000 points versus standard. From Brisbane and Melbourne, it saves 122,000 points. Economy return is 51,500 Qantas Points from all three cities, saving 40,500 points.
The Qantas advantage is the direct earning of Qantas Points from the flight itself — and for status holders, the Status Credits accumulating toward Qantas Gold or Platinum. A Brisbane–Tokyo Business Class return earns approximately 280 Status Credits — a meaningful contribution toward Qantas Gold's 700 Status Credit threshold.
Sydney to Tokyo — Business Class Return — Qantas (non-stop)
(non-stop)
Pay also any taxes, fees and surcharges
See how to book this →Brisbane → Tokyo Business Return with Qantas (non-stop)
Save 122,000 points!Pointr #5135: Fly Brisbane to Tokyo Business Return with Qantas (non-stop) for only 80,000 Airline Points - Save 122,000 points!
Sydney → Tokyo Business Return with Qantas (non-stop)
Save up to $3,701!Pointr #9139: Fly Sydney to Tokyo Business Return with Qantas (non-stop) for only $2,299 - Save up to $3,701!
Japan Airlines — non-stop from Sydney and Melbourne, plus First Class
JAL prices Business Class return at 80,000 JAL miles from Sydney and Melbourne — saving 136,000 points versus the standard 216,000-mile rate. Economy return is 51,500 miles, saving 40,500 points. Cash-equivalent Business Class is $2,299 return from both cities (save up to $3,701).
Where JAL genuinely stands apart is First Class. Sydney–Tokyo First Class return on JAL is available for 120,000 JAL miles — saving 190,400 points versus the standard 310,400-mile rate (Pointr #13760). And the cash equivalent First Class deal at $3,399 return (Pointr #15112) — saving up to $8,601 versus the standard $12,000 fare — is one of the most compelling First Class deals available to any Australian traveller.
Sydney to Tokyo — First Class Return — Japan Airlines (non-stop)
(non-stop)
Pay also any taxes, fees and surcharges
See how to book this →Sydney → Tokyo First Return with Japan Airlines
Save up to $8,601!Pointr #15112: Fly Sydney to Tokyo First Return with Japan Airlines (non-stop) for only $3,399 - Save up to $8,601!
Sydney → Tokyo Business Return with Japan Airlines
Save 136,000 points!Pointr #403: Fly Sydney to Tokyo Business Return with Japan Airlines (non-stop) for only 80,000 Airline Points - Save 136,000 points!
The All Airlines Pointrs — best rate from any carrier, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane
Pointrs tracks All Airlines Pointrs — the best available rate across all carriers on a given route, updated in real time. For Australians heading to Japan, the All Airlines Pointrs often deliver the best Economy or Business Class rate because they surface whichever carrier is cheapest at the moment of booking.
From Sydney, the All Airlines Economy return is 42,500 points (saving 147,500 points, Pointr #36286) — matching ANA's best rate. Business Class from Sydney via All Airlines is 80,000 points saving 330,000 points (Pointr #36290) — the highest absolute saving of any Business Class Pointr from Sydney. Premium Economy from Sydney is 62,000 points saving 108,000 (Pointr #36288). First Class via All Airlines from Sydney is 120,000 points saving 190,400 (Pointr #36294) or $3,399 cash (Pointr #36296, save up to $8,601).
Sydney to Tokyo — Business Class Return — With All Airlines (via All Routes)
(non-stop)
Pay also any taxes, fees and surcharges
See how to book this →Sydney → Tokyo Economy Return with All Airlines (via All Routes)
Save 147,500 points!Pointr #36286: Fly Sydney to Tokyo Economy Return with All Airlines (via All Routes) for only 42,500 Airline Points - Save 147,500 points!
Sydney → Tokyo Business Return with All Airlines (via All Routes)
Save up to $4,401!Pointr #36292: Fly Sydney to Tokyo Business Return with All Airlines (via All Routes) for only $1,599 - Save up to $4,401!
Jetstar — non-stop from Brisbane and Cairns: convenience, not value
Jetstar operates non-stop to Tokyo from Brisbane and Cairns — the only non-stop option from Cairns and a solid schedule option from Brisbane for travellers who prefer to book early and avoid connections.
The points saving on Jetstar, however, is far smaller than the other carriers. Brisbane–Tokyo Economy return on Jetstar costs 49,400 points, saving just 14,600 points versus the standard 64,000-mile rate (Pointr #12265). Cairns–Tokyo Economy at 49,400 points saves only 2,600 points (Pointr #12545) — barely worth using points for at all. Business Class via Jetstar points (123,200 points return from Brisbane) is more expensive in points than Business Class on Qantas or JAL from the same city.
Jetstar vs Qantas from Brisbane — the points maths
Brisbane–Tokyo Business Class on Qantas: 80,000 points, saving 122,000. Brisbane–Tokyo Business Class on Jetstar: 123,200 points, saving 61,800. The Jetstar Business points deal costs 54% more in points and saves 50% less than Qantas on the same route. If you're flying Business Class from Brisbane, always check the Qantas Pointr first. For Economy, Qantas (51,500 pts) also beats Jetstar (49,400 pts) on savings ratio — Jetstar's 49,400 saves only 14,600 versus the 40,500-point saving on Qantas.
The ANA Tokyo connection — Australia to Europe via Japan
One of the most underused routes in Australian frequent flyer planning: using ANA's Tokyo hub to connect from Australia to Europe on a single award booking, at prices that routinely beat direct Australia-to-Europe fares.
ANA prices Sydney–Frankfurt via Tokyo at 164,000 Business Class points return, saving 276,000 points (Pointr #13931). Sydney–London via Tokyo: 164,000 Business Class points, saving 276,000 (Pointr #13936). Sydney–Paris via Tokyo: 164,000 Business Class points, saving 316,000 (Pointr #13951). Perth–London via Tokyo: 164,000 Business Class points, saving 276,000 (Pointr #13936).
All of these include the Japan stopover as part of the itinerary — making them the most efficient way for Australians to both visit Japan and continue to Europe on a single award booking. Tokyo becomes a free stopover on the route to or from Europe.
Sydney to London via Tokyo — Business Class Return — ANA Airlines
(non-stop)
Pay also any taxes, fees and surcharges
See how to book this →
See all Japan Pointrs — every airline, every cabin, every gateway, right now.
Browse all Japan Pointrs Sign up to Pointrs for FREEEarn More. Spend Less. Travel Better. — All Pointr numbers, miles costs, and savings figures sourced directly from the Pointrs platform dataset as of July 2026. Award availability, points requirements, and cash fares are subject to change — always verify directly with the airline programme before transferring any points. Spend Less Pointrs referenced: ANA SYD Economy #8925 (42,500 pts, save 147,500); ANA PER Economy #46 (42,500 pts, save 147,500); ANA SYD Business miles #8665 (85,000 pts, save 325,000); ANA SYD Business cash #47 ($1,599, save $4,401); ANA PER Business miles #8667 (85,000 pts, save 325,000); ANA PER Business cash #8803 ($1,599, save $4,401); Qantas SYD Economy #6467 (51,500 pts, save 40,500); Qantas SYD Business miles #5137 (80,000 pts, save 136,000); Qantas SYD Business cash #9139 ($2,299, save $3,701); Qantas BNE Economy #6465 (51,500 pts, save 40,500); Qantas BNE Business miles #5135 (80,000 pts, save 122,000); Qantas BNE Business cash #9137 ($2,299, save $3,701); Qantas MEL Economy #6466 (51,500 pts, save 40,500); Qantas MEL Business miles #5136 (80,000 pts, save 122,000); Qantas MEL Business cash #9145 ($2,299, save $3,701); JAL SYD Economy #6468 (51,500 pts, save 40,500); JAL SYD Business miles #403 (80,000 pts, save 136,000); JAL SYD Business cash #9141 ($2,299, save $3,701); JAL SYD First miles #13760 (120,000 pts, save 190,400); JAL SYD First cash #15112 ($3,399, save $8,601); JAL MEL Economy #6469 (51,500 pts, save 40,500); JAL MEL Business miles #402 (80,000 pts, save 136,000); Jetstar BNE Economy #12265 (49,400 pts, save 14,600); Jetstar CNS Economy #12545 (49,400 pts, save 2,600); All Airlines SYD Economy #36286 (42,500 pts, save 147,500); All Airlines SYD Premium Economy #36288 (62,000 pts, save 108,000); All Airlines SYD Business miles #36290 (80,000 pts, save 330,000); All Airlines SYD Business cash #36292 ($1,599, save $4,401); All Airlines SYD First miles #36294 (120,000 pts, save 190,400); All Airlines SYD First cash #36296 ($3,399, save $8,601); All Airlines BNE Economy #37788 (49,400 pts, save 42,600); All Airlines BNE Business miles #37790 (80,000 pts, save 122,000); All Airlines BNE Business cash #37792 ($2,199, save $3,801); All Airlines MEL Economy #37246 (51,500 pts, save 40,500); All Airlines MEL Business miles #37248 (80,000 pts, save 136,000); All Airlines MEL Business cash #37250 ($2,299, save $3,701); ANA SYD–London Business #13936 (164,000 pts, save 276,000); ANA SYD–Frankfurt Business #13931 (164,000 pts, save 276,000); ANA SYD–Paris Business #13951 (164,000 pts, save 316,000). Taxes, fees, and carrier surcharges are payable in addition to points on all award bookings. This is general information only and is not financial advice.
