Flights from Dubai to Japan
Which Japanese airport to fly into from Dubai, how long it takes, the time difference, and how to plan your arrival and departure.
From Dubai you can fly to Japan without changing planes. Emirates serves two airports for Tokyo (Haneda and Narita) and one for Osaka (Kansai). This guide covers which one to pick, how long the flight takes and what to plan around it.
Which airport to fly into
| Airport | What Emirates says | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Haneda (HND) | Daily flights. International flights use Terminal 3. | Central Tokyo, the shortest trip into the city |
| Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 14 flights a week at the time of writing, which can change by season. Listed at 9 hours 25 minutes from Dubai and 12 hours 10 minutes back. | Tokyo, often with more flights and fare choices |
| Osaka Kansai (KIX) | Flights EK316 and EK317. An A380 with Premium Economy has flown this route since 1 June 2024. | Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and the Kansai region |
Schedules and aircraft change, so check the current timetable on the airline website before you book. Our airport transfers guide explains how to get from Narita and Haneda into Tokyo.
Fly into one city and out of another
Most first trips run Tokyo to Kyoto to Osaka, or the reverse. If you fly into Osaka and out of Tokyo (or the other way round), you skip a long train ride back to where you started. Compare the fares for both directions before you decide, and use the itinerary maker or our 7, 10 and 14 day itineraries to see which order suits you.
The time difference
Japan is 5 hours ahead of the UAE. You lose a little sleep in the first days, so keep the first day light: a walk, an early dinner and an early night.
What gets added to your trip
- Departure tax: the International Tourist Tax is 3,000 yen per person leaving Japan from 1 July 2026. Read what is changing for travellers.
- Tax-free shopping: since 1 November 2026 you pay the full price in the shop and complete the refund at the airport before baggage check-in. Allow extra time on your last day.
Before you fly
- Check the visa rules for UAE passport holders and residents.
- Complete Visit Japan Web: see entering Japan in 2026.
- Sort a Japan eSIM so you are online when you land.
- Work through our trip planning checklist.
Other airlines
Other airlines connect Dubai and Japan through hubs in the Gulf, Asia and beyond, and schedules change often. We have only listed what we could confirm on the airline pages above, so compare current options on the airline sites.
Checked against the 4 official and news sources listed below. Last updated 13 November 2026. Basis: researched from official sources. Written and edited by Delfin, with AI-assisted research (how we work). Rules and prices change, so confirm before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.