Many Japanese travellers feel an affinity with Bhutan, drawn by its Buddhist culture, its mountain scenery and its careful approach to tourism. Getting there from Tokyo usually involves one connection. Departures leave from either Narita International Airport (NRT) or Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND), heading for a hub in South-East or South Asia, where you board one of Bhutan's airlines for the final flight to Paro. This page sets out how the journey typically works from the Japanese capital and complements our full guide for travellers from Japan.
Narita or Haneda: Starting Your Journey
Which Tokyo airport you use depends on your first airline and the time of day. Haneda is closer to central Tokyo, while Narita handles many international departures too. Check your ticket carefully before travelling, as getting to the wrong airport is an easy mistake to make in a city with two major gateways.
There are no direct flights between Japan and Bhutan. Paro International Airport (PBH) is Bhutan's sole international airport, with only Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines) and Bhutan Airlines serving it.
The Bangkok Route and Other Hubs from Tokyo
Our Japan guide describes Bangkok as the most popular and reliable path. You fly from Narita or Haneda to Suvarnabhumi with Thai Airways or All Nippon Airways, then connect to Drukair or Bhutan Airlines for Paro. The guide puts the total at about 10 to 12 hours including layovers.
Alternatives, according to the same guide, include:
- Delhi: with Japan Airlines or Air India.
- Kathmandu: via carriers such as Cathay Pacific or Nepal Airlines.
- Singapore: with Singapore Airlines, then on to Paro.
These options may take longer, around 12 to 15 hours depending on schedules. Always check current schedules before booking.
A Sample Tokyo-to-Paro Journey
Here is an illustration, not a promise. You take the Keikyu line or the monorail to Haneda in the evening and fly overnight to Bangkok. Rather than rushing a tight connection, you rest at a hotel near Suvarnabhumi, then take the Drukair flight to Paro the next morning. The approach into the valley is flown visually, so weather can occasionally cause delays; having a night in Bangkok means that is not a problem. Your guide meets you at Paro airport and takes you to your hotel.
On the return, a similar stop in Bangkok makes it easier to protect your first day back at work in Tokyo.
Three Hours Behind Japan Standard Time
Japan keeps Japan Standard Time, UTC+9, all year, and Bhutan keeps UTC+6, also without daylight saving. Bhutan is therefore three hours behind Tokyo throughout the year. When it is 9am in Shibuya, it is 6am in Thimphu.
Westbound travel makes this shift fairly easy. You are likely to feel sleepy early in the evening and wake early, which suits Bhutan's morning-focused sightseeing.
Tsuyu, Golden Week and Bhutan's Calendar
Tokyo has hot, humid summers, a rainy season in early summer, and cool, mostly dry winters. Bhutan offers another rhythm. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the busiest travel seasons, the summer months of June to August make up the monsoon, and December through February is cold but usually clear, especially in higher valleys.
Golden Week, in late April and early May, falls during Bhutan's spring, which also hosts the Paro Tshechu. Autumn, when the Thimphu Tshechu is held, can line up with Japan's September holidays. Festival dates follow the lunar calendar, so confirm them early, and expect flights to fill during Japanese holiday periods. The Obon break in August coincides with Bhutan's monsoon, when green landscapes come with a greater risk of disruption.
What Japanese Citizens Need for Entry
Japanese passport holders need a Bhutan visa, applied for online in advance and usually arranged through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator. Our Japan guide recommends booking flights well in advance, ideally three to six months ahead, through an operator who can coordinate the connections with your visa.
The Sustainable Development Fee is currently USD 100 per adult per night for most international visitors, Japanese citizens included. Check the latest rates with the Department of Tourism before booking. Travel insurance covering your entire stay is required, so arrange a policy before you leave Tokyo.
Bhutan uses the ngultrum (BTN), which is pegged 1:1 to the Indian rupee. ATMs are mainly in towns, so carry some cash.
Recommended Trip Lengths from Tokyo
- 5 nights: a Golden Week-sized trip focusing on Paro and Thimphu.
- 6 to 8 nights: time to explore beyond the western valleys at a comfortable pace.
- 9 nights or more: for trekking, festival trips, or combining Bhutan with Thailand or Nepal.
When annual leave is limited, a five-night stay with a Bangkok stopover on each side can work well. Travellers who can take a longer break often find that the extra days pay off, because the most rewarding moments in Bhutan, from a quiet morning at a temple to a slow drive between valleys, are hard to rush.
If you have particular language or dietary preferences, mention them when you first enquire from Tokyo. Your operator can then advise on what is possible before you commit to dates, rather than after flights are booked.
Tokyo Travellers' FAQ
Should I fly from Narita or Haneda?
Either can work, depending on the airline and timing. Check your ticket, as flights to Bangkok and other hubs leave from both.
What is the time difference?
Bhutan is three hours behind Tokyo all year.
When should I book for Golden Week?
As early as possible. Our Japan guide suggests three to six months ahead in general, and holiday periods fill sooner.
For full details on visas, the SDF and itineraries for Japanese travellers, see our main guide: How to Travel to Bhutan from Japan. We would be happy to plan your trip from Tokyo.
