How to Get to Tibet from Japan: 5 Best Routes in 2025

Traveling from Japan to Tibet is now easier than ever, thanks to the 30-day visa-free stay in China for Japanese tourists. Although there are no direct flights from Japan to Tibet, you can first fly to gateway cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, or Guangzhou. From there, you can easily take a flight or train to Lhasa.

You can also fly to Kathmandu in Nepal and then travel to Lhasa by flight or by road. To help you plan your trip, we’ve listed the five most popular ways to get from Japan to Tibet. Keep reading to find the best route for your smooth and exciting journey to Tibet!

How Far is Tibet from Japan? Are There Any Direct Flights?

The Tibetan Autonomous Region is located in the southwest of China, while Japan lies to the east. The distance between Tokyo and Lhasa is about 3400 kilometers in a straight line.

Currently, there are no direct flights from any city in Japan to Lhasa. Therefore, you need to first fly into a gateway city in mainland China, such as Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu, and then continue to Lhasa by train or flight. Or, you can first travel to Kathmandu, Nepal, and then enter Tibet by air or overland.

While the journey may take time, the overland travel experience can be both rewarding and enriching. It allows for more flexible routing and gives you the opportunity to explore additional highlights along the way.

Join our most popular Lhasa and EBC tour for a smooth experience!

Japan to Tibet via Beijing: The Most Recommended Route

Flying from Japan to Beijing is one of the most convenient and popular ways to begin your Tibet tour. Major Japanese cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto offer multiple daily direct flights to either Beijing Capital International Airport or Beijing Daxing International Airport, with a flight time of around 3 to 4 hours. Ticket prices start from around $165 for economic class.

Once in Beijing, you have two options to reach Tibet: by air or by train. There are two to three direct flights from Beijing to Lhasa each day, operated by Tibet Airlines and Air China. These flights typically depart at 7:45 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:55 pm, with airfare starting from around $450.

If you take the train, then you have one choice for boarding every day. The train departs daily around 19:53 pm from Beijing, and takes about 40 hours to reach Lhasa, after running for 3,757 kilometers. A hard sleeper of Beijing to Lhasa train costs about 720 CNY per person, while a soft sleeper is around 1144 CNY.

Owing to its limited supply, train tickets from Beijing to Lhasa can be hard to get, especially during peak season in summer. In such cases, you can consider flying from Beijing to Xining first. Xining is a key gateway city with the most frequent train departures to Tibet each day.

Japan to Tibet via Shanghai: Another Popular Route with Convenient Flights

Another great option is to fly from Japan to Shanghai. This international city is well connected with many Japanese cities, including Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Kyoto. Flights from these cities to Shanghai depart up to 10 times per day, and take only about 2 to 3.5 hours.

From Shanghai to Tibet, you can also choose between flying and taking train. Direct flights from Shanghai to Lhasa leave two times per day, with a stopover in Xi’an or Chengdu on the way. It takes around 8 hours to reach Lhasa, and the price starts from $300 dollars.

Trains from Shanghai depart at 18:33 am daily, and take around 44.5 hours for the whole ride. This route is the second longest train route to Tibet from mainland China. If you feel that such a long train journey may be too tiring, you can shorten the trip by first flying from Shanghai to Xining, and then taking the train to Lhasa from there.

Japan to Tibet via Guangzhou: Easy Access to Southern China

Guangzhou is one of the most popular entry cities to China for international travelers. Located in southern China, this vibrant port city is well connected with Japan, offering convenient daily flights from Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. These flights usually take about 4 to 5 hours.

From Guangzhou, you can travel to Lhasa either by flight or train. Direct flights to Lhasa depart twice daily, usually with a stopover in Chongqing or Diqing, and the total flight time is around 6 hours.

However, the train from Guangzhou to Lhasa is less convenient than those from other gateway cities. It is the longest of all Tibet train routes, departing at 9:15 a.m. daily and taking approximately 53 hours to cover nearly 5,000 kilometers before reaching Lhasa.

If you're heading to Tibet from Guangzhou, it's recommended to take a connecting flight to Chengdu or Xining first, and then continue on to Lhasa from there.

Join our most popular Lhasa and EBC tour for a smooth experience!

Japan to Tibet via Chengdu: A Closer Gateway to the Plateau

Chengdu in Sichuan Province is geographically closer to Tibet and is widely regarded as the most accessible gateway to the region. It offers more frequent flights to Lhasa than any other city in mainland China.

From Japan, you can fly directly from Tokyo or Osaka to Chengdu, with a flight duration of about 4 to 6 hours. Once in Chengdu, you can choose to take a quick flight to Lhasa or enjoy a scenic journey by train.

Flights from Chengdu to Lhasa depart over 20 times per day, and take only about 2 hours and 30 minutes on average. You can flexibly decide your flight time in the morning, afternoon, or even at night.

If you prefer the train, please note that it departs every other day. But the journey takes less time of around 34.5 hours. The train leaves from Chengdu West Railway Station at 21:11 and arrives in Lhasa around 7:41 a.m. on the third day.

Japan to Tibet via Kathmandu: Enjoy Stunning Himalayan Views

If you want to visit Nepal first or enjoy breathtaking views of the Himalayas, it is also a good choice to travel from Japan to Nepal and then to Tibet. There are direct flights from Tokyo to Kathmandu every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, taking about 8 hours. While most other flights include one layover in cities such as Bangkok, Delhi, or Guangzhou.

From Nepal to Tibet, you can either travel overland via Gyirong Port or take a nonstop flight. Flights from Kathmandu to Lhasa depart every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and take only about 1 hour and 20 minutes. On a clear day, you’ll be lucky enough to catch glimpses of Mount Everest and other majestic Himalayan peaks from the plane.

Compared to the flight, the overland travel from Kathmandu to Lhasa is often more popular among tourists. The road trip first takes you to cross the Gyirong Port, the border crossing checkpoint between Nepal and China. After you pass the customs to enter Tibet, you will meet with our Tibetan guide, who will keep you accompanied all the way to Lhasa.

As you drive along the Friendship Highway, you will pass the Everest Base Camp in Tibetan side, then move to historic city of Shigatse, and forward to turquoise Yamdrok Lake before get to Lhasa city. The overland journey itself is a wonderful 8-day Tibet trip that presents the unique mountains, Buddhist temples, scared lakes of Tibet, and is sought-after by many first-timers to Tibet as well as road-trip lovers.

What Documents are Required for Japan Tibet Tours? Chinese Visa Free Now!

The good news is that tourists with a Japanese passport now can enjoy visa-free access to China within 30 days. This policy is valid through the end of 2025. So, you will only need the Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet at present.

The Tibet Travel Permit can only be applied through an authorized travel agency, since individual application is not allowed. But we can help you to get it easily on your behalf. Simply send us the copy of your valid passport to us, and then we will handle the rest.

It usually takes 8 to 9 working days to get the Tibet Travel Permit issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau in Lhasa. Once it’s ready, we will immediately deliver it to your address in mainland China, allowing you to board the train or flight to Lhasa. To ensure a smooth process, we recommend contacting us at least 20 days in advance for the permit application.

Join our most popular Lhasa and EBC tour for a smooth experience!

Conclusion

There are several exciting routes to travel from Japan to Tibet. To take advantage of the convenient flights and trains to Lhasa, you can transfer from Japan to Tibet via major cities in mainland China, like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu. If you are interested in visiting Nepal, you can also travel to Kathmandu first before entering Tibet.

As the leading Tibet tour operator with years of experience, we are here to make your journey from Japan to Tibet smooth and worry-free. We guarantee your Tibet Travel Permit and help design the travel route that suits your needs. For more questions, feel free to contact us or book your tour with us today!