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Melbourne to Tokyo from $321 One Way, $618 Return on Cebu Pacific or Royal Brunei Airlines [Feb to Sep] @ Beat That Flight

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Now that Japan has reopened, I've been keeping an eye on the flights for ages and the cheapest for ages was Philippine Airlines at ~$750 return. (They still are, on some dates).

However, for the first time I'm spotting some cheaper fares! AND you have options!

View the full list of hyperlinked dates and prices here

So pick your dates below, and I've tried to show the cheapest. Where you might want to filter airlines, you can do so once you've clicked through. But seeing the Cebu as the cheapest at ~$618 return and have spotted the Royal Brunei in the high 600s.

Don't forget to look for hotels - we're seeing some up to 60% off


Melbourne - Tokyo one way from $321
Dates: 22 Jan 23 - 30 Sep 23

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
22 Jan 23 Jan 24 Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 28 Jan
$722 $611 $510 $611 $455 $605 $552
29 Jan 30 Jan 31 Jan 1 Feb 2 Feb 3 Feb 4 Feb
$571 $590 $511 $477 $493 $477 $477
5 Feb 6 Feb 7 Feb 8 Feb 9 Feb 10 Feb 11 Feb
$477 $477 $464 $477 $454 $500 $454
12 Feb 13 Feb 14 Feb 15 Feb 16 Feb 17 Feb 18 Feb
$602 $477 $477 $477 $453 $477 $453
19 Feb 20 Feb 21 Feb 22 Feb 23 Feb 24 Feb 25 Feb
$477 $477 $477 $477 $463 $500 $453
26 Feb 27 Feb 28 Feb 1 Mar 2 Mar 3 Mar 4 Mar
$602 $477 $477 $477 $453 $477 $451
5 Mar 6 Mar 7 Mar 8 Mar 9 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar
$477 $477 $451 $477 $451 $557 $451
12 Mar 13 Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 16 Mar 17 Mar 18 Mar
$557 $514 $451 $557 $451 $631 $451
19 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 22 Mar 23 Mar 24 Mar 25 Mar
$667 $574 $451 $574 $451 $776 $770
26 Mar 27 Mar 28 Mar 29 Mar 30 Mar 31 Mar 1 Apr
$757 $726 $451 $781 $799 $816 $839
2 Apr 3 Apr 4 Apr 5 Apr 6 Apr 7 Apr 8 Apr
$831 $795 $608 $833 $833 $854 $854
9 Apr 10 Apr 11 Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr
$683 $682 $558 $611 $450 $627 $461
16 Apr 17 Apr 18 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 21 Apr 22 Apr
$603 $608 $450 $608 $608 $627 $450
23 Apr 24 Apr 25 Apr 26 Apr 27 Apr 28 Apr 29 Apr
$603 $581 $450 $581 $450 $627 $450
30 Apr 1 May 2 May 3 May 4 May 5 May 6 May
$604 $693 $449 $769 $450 $788 $450
7 May 8 May 9 May 10 May 11 May 12 May 13 May
$660 $693 $449 $639 $450 $658 $450
14 May 15 May 16 May 17 May 18 May 19 May 20 May
$658 $677 $450 $581 $450 $627 $450
21 May 22 May 23 May 24 May 25 May 26 May 27 May
$604 $611 $449 $581 $450 $627 $450
28 May 29 May 30 May 31 May 1 Jun 2 Jun 3 Jun
$590 $609 $450 $580 $450 $657 $450
4 Jun 5 Jun 6 Jun 7 Jun 8 Jun 9 Jun 10 Jun
$637 $675 $450 $636 $450 $657 $450
11 Jun 12 Jun 13 Jun 14 Jun 15 Jun 16 Jun 17 Jun
$637 $675 $450 $636 $450 $657 $657
18 Jun 19 Jun 20 Jun 21 Jun 22 Jun 23 Jun 24 Jun
$657 $646 $636 $783 $760 $807 $762
25 Jun 26 Jun 27 Jun 28 Jun 29 Jun 30 Jun 1 Jul
$762 $791 $762 $785 $762 $807 $762
2 Jul 3 Jul 4 Jul 5 Jul 6 Jul 7 Jul 8 Jul
$762 $516 $497 $517 $497 $657 $497
9 Jul 10 Jul 11 Jul 12 Jul 13 Jul 14 Jul 15 Jul
$553 $517 $497 $636 $497 $608 $497
16 Jul 17 Jul 18 Jul 19 Jul 20 Jul 21 Jul 22 Jul
$497 $519 $450 $518 $450 $657 $447
23 Jul 24 Jul 25 Jul 26 Jul 27 Jul 28 Jul 29 Jul
$447 $510 $447 $634 $447 $657 $447
30 Jul 31 Jul 1 Aug 2 Aug 3 Aug 4 Aug 5 Aug
$447 $321 $447 $634 $447 $511 $447
6 Aug 7 Aug 8 Aug 9 Aug 10 Aug 11 Aug 12 Aug
$447 $707 $447 $634 $447 $657 $447
13 Aug 14 Aug 15 Aug 16 Aug 17 Aug 18 Aug 19 Aug
$447 $709 $447 $688 $447 $711 $447
20 Aug 21 Aug 22 Aug 23 Aug 24 Aug 25 Aug 26 Aug
$447 $709 $447 $688 $447 $711 $447
27 Aug 28 Aug 29 Aug 30 Aug 31 Aug 1 Sep 2 Sep
$447 $321 $447 $321 $447 $657 $447
3 Sep 4 Sep 5 Sep 6 Sep 7 Sep 8 Sep 9 Sep
$447 $705 $447 $634 $447 $657 $492
10 Sep 11 Sep 12 Sep 13 Sep 14 Sep 15 Sep 16 Sep
$492 $708 $492 $781 $492 $799 $492
17 Sep 18 Sep 19 Sep 20 Sep 21 Sep 22 Sep 23 Sep
$492 $707 $492 $781 $492 $799 $492
24 Sep 25 Sep 26 Sep 27 Sep 28 Sep 29 Sep 30 Sep
$492 $568 $620 $568 $568 $568 $568

Melbourne to Tokyo Return from $618

Dates: 22 Jan 23 - 30 Sep 23

Cheapest: $618 return


You can follow us at Beat That Flight for more deals, error fares, promos and sales, or on Facebook.

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closed Comments

  • +6

    I still hate these one way prices

    • +3

      Then book return

      • +6

        He meant $321 should be return flight!!!

        • Probably worth copping the scorching summer heat during the cheap times.

          Probably.

          • @silverrat23: I'm from hot, humid Brisbane. Can anyone please comment on how summer in Japan compares to summer in Brisbane?

            • +3

              @Russ: Don't know about Brisbane but Japan in summer (July/August) is horrible. Massive humidity in big concrete cities is not fun.

            • +5

              @Russ: It’s like next level hot. Brisbane is not even on the same scale.

              Imagine how much you sweat when playing basketball in the sun in Brisbane summer. You would sweat more in your sleep with fans blowing directly on you in Tokyo summer.

              • @Rec0nz: Yeah the word I've always liked is "oppressive heat".

                It actually inhibits your ability to live.

            • +1

              @Russ: When it's summer in Bris you go to Japan for powder snow.

            • +2

              @Russ: Similar to a Brisbane muggy day but everyday

            • +2

              @Russ: Used to live there. It's worse than Brisbane. It's like Singapore humidity turned up to a 10. I refuse to travel back during that time. And then right after Summer you're hit with their rainy/monsoon season too. I avoid Japan from late June until mid October. Worst time to travel IMO.

              If you do decide to go, back loose fitting clothes, otherwise the humidity will make your clothes stick to you like glue and drink lots of water. Like non-stop. Your body won't be able to regulate itself in the heat.

              On the plus side, Summer nights can be really awesome and some of the best festivals happen during the Summer.

              • @Cyphar: Thanks for the advice. It seems everyone agrees with you, but your reply is the most useful one, as you advised which months to avoid.

  • +5

    $618 return is getting more decent. Tempting. God I've missed traveling to Japan.

    • +3

      Me too

      Next year.

  • +15

    Cebu Airlines are a horrible airline to go on for comfort. An example is their new A330-900neo, which has 460 seats (this is the most of any carrier), were most airlines have 350-370 seats. As for pitch (leg room), this is the same size (30") as Virgin Australia use on their 737-8NG for short haul. The normal smallest pitch on long haul aircraft is 32", so if you fly Cebu, make sure you are small and don't mind being packed in for one of the worst experiences possible. Lastly, many of their "premium" eco seats (particularly long haul), will have obstructions (like life rafts behind plastic panels) that will only allow 1 leg extra room, whiles the other is stuck in a very small space.

    • How about Royal Brunei?

      • +1

        Seat space just like jetstar.
        I had a bad experience where They served meal just before landing, I never feel airsickness before except for that flight. The transit airport doesn't have lots of shop when we arrived

      • +5

        I have never flown on them, but from Seat Guru their pitch is 32" on long haul, which is the same as Virgin Australia's old 777 long haul flight and is the standard in the industry. Singapore Airlines A380 (V1) also is 32" for refence for a better airline.

        Here is Noel Philips Review on Cebu and he is trusted to be truthful for his reviews, unlike other reviewers like Sam Chui, who are always ass kissing airlines and has been accused of taking gifts / payments from Airlines. Noel is just honest and I always check out his videos on a new airline before flying with them (he has covered many airlines and aircraft types)

        • +1

          Sam Chui, and many other airline reviewers, are the biggest suck-ups. They are given gifts of free upgrades or a pool of frequent flyer points. I never trust them. Noel Phillips is great. Definetely the most genuine.

      • I flew Royal Brunei from Brisbane to London a few years ago, I think it was on a Dreamliner. I'd rate them slightly below Singapore Airlines and slightly above Etihad/Emirates… although they're all pretty much the same in my experience.

    • +2

      They also squeeze an extra seat in across… so rather than it being 8 abreast on an a330 it's 9.

      It'll make the jetstar 9 abreast on the 787 (which might be industry standard (except Japan Airlines) but not what it was designed for) look positively luxurious.

  • +1

    Any decent one way direct flight options OP?

  • As a parent I’m so keen to go to Japan - can anyone recommend it as a family friendly destination for kids aged 8 and 9? I should also mention they can be fussy eaters…

    • +5

      I lived in Japan for several years, and took my 2x kids there when they were about your children's ages (I lived there years before they were born). The variety of Japanese food, and easily accessed western food (in the cities and larger towns) should be fine for your kids. Both my kids loved their time there, and we indulged at Tokyo Disneyland as well. Bullet train trips were fun, and cities like Osaka, Hiroshima and Nara are easily accessible. There's a real mix of experiences, and so much to see and do. I would highly recommend.

      • Thanks for the tips! I feel so much more confident with making a decision to go!

      • Would you recommend an area in tokyo for younger kids like 4 and 2? Or do you think somewhere like kyoto is a better location for younger kids? Thanks

        • Keen to know this too as my kids are 1&3 but by the time we go they might be 4&2

          Also amazed aussie dollar is going high against then yen !
          :)

        • Tokyo is a mega city with little soul and hardly any parks. Do Disneyland, the free Government Metropolitan lookout and then leave. Get a rail pass before you go and visit the country - Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Kyushu

          • @mjref: I guess so. I've been to tokyo a few times (before kids) and could imagine it'll be a bit much but thought perhaps could do a few days there then head to kyoto and base there to do day trips out

    • Japan is all about good foods but long queue to get those food. You could always book Disney land and universal studios holidays. Make sure to go on weekdays as weekends can be very busy. There’s lots of shrines around nara which kids might like.
      Transportation is cheap and suggest you to pre book jr pass, which would take you almost everywhere In Japan.

    • they can be fussy eaters…

      Eating what?

      • We do have the occasional sushi but that is about all for anything Japanese that the kids have experienced. They are fussy when it comes to trying new foods so not sure how that will go but I guess that is part of the fun with travelling!!

        • +6

          Doesnt sound fun to me

          • +1

            @U30004: Hahah I think I’m lucky that they’re a bit older, can’t imagine travelling with toddlers, at least kids this age can kinda do stuff on their own lol

        • +1

          There are a variety of cuisines available, at least in big cities like Tokyo or Osaka. Fast food is always an option, or you can get some food from convenience stores like 7-11, Lawson etc.

        • Japan has a lot of fried chicken, grilled chicken and curry dishes which are popular with kids.

          They might not be as adventurous as you’d prefer and it might be a struggle in some of the nicer restaurants but for sure they’ll be plenty of food they can eat. Convenience stores will have stir fried and other kid friendly too.

          • @Laurana: Good to know thank you! My next question is Narita vs Haneda?

            • @pumpkinpieblah: Happy to help! I've only been there on my own, but I have kids close to that age (8 & 10) and I'm planning on taking them next time.

              Regarding airport, I flew into Narita as it was what was recommended to me last time but it's 1hr further away and you have to pay an extra amount (I forgot how much but, around 4k yen) to get there and back. However, I've heard that Haneda is on the Yamanote line and can be difficult/annoying to carry luggage around. Which brings me to another point, before booking accommodations you should get familiar with the train lines in Japan/Tokyo. They're very easy to navigate and might save you a bit of headache or unnecessary walking.

          • @Laurana: Anything for vegans?

            • +1

              @U30004: I’m not sure, unfortunately. My Japanese is non-existent so I couldn’t be sure if the meals were vegan. There were definitely some vegetarian options though.

              • @Laurana:

                There were definitely some vegetarian options though.

                Things might have changed, but the last time I was there, anything that was not red meat was classified as vegetarian. Chicken, fish etc., All vegetarian ;)

                • +1

                  @RSmith: Hahaha. That reminds me of my friend going to Spain and ordering watermelon (as it was the only option in the menu with no meat) and the watermelon arriving wrapped in prosciutto lol.

            • +2

              @U30004: You will be surprised… the country can be very unfriendly to vegan. I used to live there for almost 5 years working at a hotel - we had vegetarian guests and kitchen staff thought seafood or meat stock were okay until I pointed it out. A strict vegan will find it easier to navigate the food scene in big cities like Tokyo or Osaka. There are much more vegetarian restaurants now than a few years ago. Better do your research online and make a list of suitable restaurants before you visit.

            • +1

              @U30004: Best to check Happy Cow

            • @U30004: I once visited Japan with a vegan for business and it was very difficult to find suitable food, even with Japanese hosts who could speak the language. It will be a struggle compared to what you might be used to here.

              • @Gav: Thats what feel too.

        • +1

          There are plenty of options even in the smallest of country towns (which I highly recommend you visit). The convenience stores - 7-11, Lawson etc - are so different to here and there will be plenty that your kids will like. Food is cheap.

    • +1

      When I went with my girlfriend we hit up Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea and Universal Studios. They are great because the lines are much shorter than the US parks.

    • +1

      Absolute its a family destination. You wont regret it.

  • +3

    No to any airline transiting through philippines airport. Got to open your luggages during the transit n for that you got to wait in a small room until ur luggage is brought from your initial flight.

    • Yes! It was such a weird badly organised experience queing down some stairs to go in to a small room with no idea why. Hated Manila airport.

    • This! Never experienced something like that anywhere. Plus the airport is terribly outdated and I struggled 2 hours before giving up on accessing the elusive wifi. Absolutely nothing to do there.

  • Cebu Pacific is one of the worst airlines to use as they change flight schedules and don't offer any option except refund even if connecting flight you are going to miss is also on cebu pacific

  • Keen to return to Australia's overseas colony (Niseko)

  • clicked the $618 and $613 link, fare does not exist for RB flight anymore

  • -8

    Arent we happy just staying in oz??

  • +4

    I flew with Royal Brunei to japan, literally weeks before covid lockdowns, best airplane food i've ever had. i'd be happy getting that food in a restaurant, entertainment options were also great
    Went from BNE- Brunei- japan and same on return, Brunei airport was very bare, but the airline was awesome and i'd highly reccomend them

    • +1

      thank you for your feedback, hopefully we would have a good experience like you did next year too

    • Royal Brunei being a full service airline is at least an improvement on Cebu. Cebu might be fine if they were cheaper but with the price too close and considering you have to pay extra for food, drink and baggage and the fact they crammed in the seats with no shoulder space.

      There are issues obviously with Royal Brunei, but they are all mostly minor and i'd be a little concerned if you can last a day without liquor.

  • Flying Royal Brunei MEL to BKK soon!!!! Can anyone help with their own experience so i am prepared for what to expect!!!

    • I enjoyed travelling with them - they are a dry airline though so no alcohol. They do (or used to) allow you to discretely bring your own to drink if you'd like though.

  • @beatthatflight how do I get a similar price for the return flight, with a stopover in Manila?

    • You could try multi-search on the site, do MEL->TYO->MNL->MEL and see what comes up? Often costs more tho to split it like that :/

      • Ye I did, and it came back at around $1300 :(

      • +2

        Dear @beatthatflight, I think OzBargainers need to be alerted to your site’s promotion of misleading drip pricing/unobtainable fares from the various Gotogate Pty Ltd / Etraveli Group companies which many customers report as scammers.

        I don’t want to see the OzBargain community getting scammed after using your site to book through Gotogate or their very badly reviewed MyTrip and Flight Network sites, so I hope you will address these concerns as soon as possible.

        And, as you well know, I wrote you a private message on OzBargain about my personal experience which you have not responded to.

        • +4

          Apologies for not responding within 14? hours, but I did need to sleep and go to the doctor. I don't have a large customer service team like some of the OTAs, sorry :/

          A lot of the OTAs (online travel agencies) get comments like that. In my experience, they're like a rental car company - you can get great prices, then they try to upsell you on everything - do you want insurance, do you want SMS updates, do you want cancellation insurance, do you want seat selection and so on.

          I was booking one the other night (not mytrip/gotogate but have personally used them with no issues aside from a slow customer service response from mytrip) and had to click no to about 20 things, but got the price advertised in the end.

          So personally, I've used them without issue, and I'd presume that's enough to indicate it's not a scam and more likely is people either not reading the T&Cs and then having issues, or trying to change things like the name/date on the ticket and being asked for more money. There's a reason the prices are often cheaper - they get you if you change anything, but provided it's all smooth and you haven't made a typo on your booking name, usually it's smooth, in my experience.

          Certainly not saying everyone on those forums are liars/wrong, but if a company really wasn't giving customers their tickets, the airline would stop allowing that company to sell their tickets pretty darn quickly.

          • -1

            @beatthatflight: I appreciate your reply here and to my pm.

            The same drip pricing is still occurring today, so they are not making any attempt to update their prices to what (they say) is obtainable from the airline.

            I just feel it is best OzBargainers are fully informed so that they can avoid being mislead or scammed.

  • What's the policy if you have to cancel or change flights with Brunei?

  • +1

    Just came back from Dubai via Royal Brunei, very good service
    The staff are nicer than Emirates
    Food was good
    Stopover was only 1 hour and used priority pass to get into the lounge

    • Are they part of any alliance? Which priority pass did you use?

  • +1

    Avoid Cebu Pacific at all costs
    They are a joke of an airline with mass cancellations and the website does not even work so no way to communicate with them

  • thanks OP! booked!

  • Does anyone know if you need a visa for a layover in Brunei? I'm seeing mixed responses online.

  • Anyone has experience with booking via sites like mytrip.com.au? What are the advantages/ disadvantage compared with direct with the carrier, besides the cheaper fares?

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