Asian Journeys:Traveling From Japan to Singapore

© 2012 by Aurelio Locsin.

The Asian destinations of Japan and Singapore attract visitors because of their cultural sites and business opportunities. The city of Singapore lies about 3,300 miles southwest of Tokyo, Japan’s capital. Though both areas are separated by the East and South China Seas, the following three options are available for travel between the two countries.

Book an airline ticket and fly between the two destinations for the fastest option. Japan’s major air hub is Narita International Airport while Singapore has Changi International. Both show frequent flights by many airlines between the two. The travel time can run as little as 6.5 hours non-stop. Cheaper journeys with connections in such cities as Shanghai, China, can take up to 14 hours. Airlines that travel non-stop include Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines and United. Airlines with stops include Asiana, China Eastern and Korean Air.

In general, American, Singaporean and Japanese citizens can travel freely between both countries for tourist vacations with nothing more than a valid passport. No visas are required. You can find more information from the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Take a cruise if you have at least two weeks. This most leisurely option typically plies routes between port cities such as Nagasaki, Japan, and Singapore. It also offers visits to other Asian cities such as Shanghai, Hong Kong and Bangkok. This mode of travel can also prove expensive because you can be housed in cabin suites that rival top hotels and dine at least three times a day. But it can also provide recreational activities because cruise ships feature amusements such as pools, night clubs, theaters and gyms.

For example, Princess Cruises has a 39-night option on the Diamond Princess that includes a segment from Nagasaki to Singapore.

Take a tour if you prefer to have someone else take care of all arrangements and want to spend several days visiting the sites in both countries. This is often the most expensive option because you not only have to pay for transportation but accommodations, land transportation, sightseeing fees, food and tips. However, this may be less troublesome if you do not speak the local language. Although English is commonly spoken in Singapore, Japanese is the national language of Japan.

You can easily book tours in one country to the other using such operators as JTB Tours, SA Tours or Explorient. Many airlines and cruise companies also offer land vacations with their tickets. Note that vacations combining Japan and Singapore by themselves are scarce. You will typically have to visit other countries as well such as China, Thailand and/or Malaysia on the same tour.