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Dec 6, 2025

Which airline do you prefer?

If money wasn't an issue, which airline and / or air route do you prefer when traveling to Japan?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

Former nickname was "Saitama". Changed it to save confusion on place review posts! Irish, 20+ years in Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com

7 Answers



  • genkidesu

    on Dec 7

    Back to Australia I'd pick either JAL, ANA, or Qantas which all fly that route. I'd probably lean towards the Japanese carriers since the customer service is always impeccable. Qantas is great, too, but the Japanese omotenashi is hard to beat. I've flown Jetstar before too but wouldn't again, I don't think. They can be a bit unreliable with cancellations or delays since they're a budget airline.

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  • TonetoEdo

    on Dec 7

    In the last 10 years, I've traveled to the west coast of North America, the UK, and Southeast Asia. One Cathay Pacific route I like is Narita, a stopover in Hong Kong, and arrival in London. The service is excellent. I prefer to travel JAL or British Airways. The service is smooth, and the and the hospitality on board is quite good.

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  • genkidesu

    on Dec 7

    @TonetoEdo Heard quite good things about Cathay Pacific too, they do a stopover in HKG if you're traveling to Australia, and then they have direct flights to both Sydney and Melbourne. Haven't flown them myself, yet!

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  • helloalissa

    on Dec 9

    Once I used Singapore Airlines on the way to the states. I had heard they are one of the best and I could use Delta frequent flyer miles. It was probably the best in flight I've used so far. We also had a great experience using Canada Air a couple years back. Mostly that the immigration was like domestic inbound flights, it was so easy! Honestly as long as it isn't a discount airline or one based in the US, there's no concern about cancelations or being late etc.

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  • TonetoEdo

    on Dec 11

    @genkidesu I was impressed by the service, in-flight WIFI, and classic Chinese and Hong Kong meals. Service is polite, and flight attendants speak a lot of languages, including English, Japanese, Cantonese, and a handful of other languages. It's a treat to hear them interact with other passengers in whatever languages.

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  • genkidesu

    on Dec 15

    @TonetoEdo I often think about the food as a big deciding factor when looking at airlines, so it's encouraging to hear that Cathay's offerings were good. If I flew an Australian carrier back home, the food would be very Western. Fine for me who still gravitates towards Western food a lot, but my kids would 100% prefer Japanese (or other Asian) style meals, as would my husband.

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  • TonetoEdo

    on Dec 15

    @genkidesu The menus on Cathay Pacific incorporate a lot of Hong Kong and mainland Chinese dishes. It's a preview, maybe even a tease, of what you'll get in transit at airport dining. It tempts me to stop over longer in Hong Kong...

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Awaiting More Answers

2 Answers

What's on your "generic" local manhole?

My local area has some specialty manholes (including some from the Gundam manhole project not too far away!) but the most common "generic" one features mountains and watermelon. Fairly representative of the region, I think! What's on yours?

genkidesu

on Jan 17

5 Answers

Do you have a favorite mascot?

The other day, on "Strawberry Day" I wrote about "Yoshimin", the strawberry mascot of Yoshimi. I thought it might be fun to introduce a few others, so I've just written about "Tokimo" the mascot of Kawagoe. And I plan to introduce a couple of my favorites. It begs the question, do you have a favorite mascot? And how about writing a post on City-cost about your favorite or a local mascot? Pictured "Umerin" who I plan to write about next!

BigfamJapan

on Jan 17

6 Answers

Who is your hero!?

Today, January 16th, is Hero Day. Who is your favorite hero, fictional or otherwise? The first one who comes to my mind for me is a real life person; Mary Robinson, a former president of Ireland (moreover, the first female president), and a former United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights, among other impressive roles. I had the great pleasure of meeting her in December, a dream come true. I was trying to think about who my favorite fictional hero is. I have not come to conclusion yet! There is such a choice. Do you have one?

BigfamJapan

on Jan 16

4 Answers

Recommendations for next Christmas?

While its somewhat fresh in your mind, what gifts came into your house this Christmas and / or New Year, that you thought were really nice things to receive and / or really good buys, that you think might make a good present for someone else in the future? As you might see in the product reviews, I am going through some of the things I bought for the kids this year and thinking of what I was really happy with. And already thinking of next year!

BigfamJapan

on Jan 11

3 Answers

Growing Mushrooms

Here's for a weird hobby. I just saw a video by an American Youtuber that I plan to watch about growing shiitake mushrooms. From what I've seen, it probably needs a bit of space. There was a local market in Fukuoka Prefecture that had a "mushroom room" where they grew and sold mushrooms like maitake and eringi. I also saw a video of a couple in Paris that built a mushroom growing shower room! The local hardware store sells "seeded" logs and shiitake mushroom growing kits. I have seen the logs around people's homes on occasion. It seems like a very odd, but sustainable hobby. Has anyone tried it, or is anyone interested to try this? I wonder how involved or beginner friendly it is.

helloalissa

on Dec 29

2 Answers

Japanese Christmas songs

Do you like any Japanese Christmas songs? If so, what is your favorite Japanese Christmas song? Or maybe you like the Japanese version of a traditional Christmas carol?

BigfamJapan

on Dec 19

2 Answers

Where do you visit Santa Claus?

Firstly, do you visit Santa Claus each year in Japan? And if so, where? I've been posting places you can meet Santa Claus in various parts of Japan on the blog section. If you are looking for somewhere to meet him this year, you'll find at least 25 places on City-cost.

BigfamJapan

on Dec 11

2 Answers

Did you feel the December 8th earthquake?

There was a large earthquake off the coast of Aomori Prefecture at 11.15 pm on December 8th 2025. We are approximately 700 kilometers from the epicenter, yet we felt it very strongly. Did you feel it and how far away (roughly) are you from the epicenter?

BigfamJapan

on Dec 9

7 Answers

Which airline do you prefer?

If money wasn't an issue, which airline and / or air route do you prefer when traveling to Japan?

BigfamJapan

on Dec 6

6 Answers

What do you most associate with Wakayama?

Today, November 22nd, is Wakayama Prefecture Hometown Birthday. What do you most associate with Wakayama Prefecture? To be honest, I realized in writing about this 'birthday', that I know next to nothing about Wakayama Prefecture. I'm really interested to hear what your image of the prefecture is. Wakayama Prefecture Hometown Birthday post; https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/z8X5a-living_wakayama

BigfamJapan

on Nov 22

10 Answers

What do you most associate with Saitama?

November 14th is Saitama Prefecture Day. I am curious, especially as I live there, what is the FIRST thing that comes to mind when I say "Saitama Prefecture"? About Saitama Prefecture Day; https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/wmeY2-living_saitama

BigfamJapan

on Nov 16

4 Answers

What is your favorite 'nabe' hot pot?

November 7th is "Nabe no hi" or 'hot pot day'. As I wrote in a post about it, there are many different type of hot pot in Japan. What type of 'nabe' do you like in Japan? The post about 'hot pot day' ; https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/G68de-food_wako_shi_saitama

BigfamJapan

on Nov 7