Fly JAL Business Class to Japan from 62K Points

Fly Japan Airlines Business Class to Japan from 62,000 Citi points each way, thanks to the current 30% transfer bonus from Citi points to JAL Mileage Bank. JAL charges 80,000 miles each way between Tokyo NRT or Tokyo HND and San Diego SAN, San Francisco SFO, and Seattle SEA, while routes between Honolulu HNL and Osaka KIX or Nagoya NGO are 84,000 miles (65K Citi points, with the transfer bonus).

SFO to HND: very few Aug. 2027 dates
HND to SFO: very few late Aug. and Sep.-early Oct. 2027 dates
NRT to SFO: a few Sep.-early Oct. 2027 dates
SAN to NRT: decent Jan. 2027 and July-Aug. 2027 availability; very few Feb. 2027 and early Sep. 2027 dates
NRT to SAN: decent Dec. 2026 and Aug.-Sep. 2027 availability; very few Jan.-Feb. and early Oct. 2027 dates
SEA to NRT: decent July-Aug. 2027 availability and a few Sep. 2027 dates
NRT to SEA: several Dec. 2026 dates and decent May to mid-Oct. 2027 availability
KIX to HNL: several late Aug. to mid-Oct. 2027 dates, very few Feb.-July 2027 dates
HNL to NGO: a few late Oct. and Dec. 2026 dates, several Jan. and April-July as well as Sep.-early Oct. 2027 dates
NGO to HNL: several late Oct., Nov, and Dec. 2026 dates; decent availability Jan. to mid-Oct. 2027

Here's our Japan Airlines Business Class Review on the 777-300ER, a different aircraft type, but rather similar seats to the 787-8.

Where to Stay in Japan

In Tokyo, we highly recommend the Four Seasons Tokyo at Otemachi, which we recently reviewed, and which we reserve for clients with Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits. For clients who will be arriving early or departing late, The Peninsula Tokyo has the advantage of offering our clients early check-in (from 6am) and late check-out (until 10pm); if your reserved room or suite isn't available, a courtesy room will be provided.

In Kyoto, we especially like the boutique feel and location of the Park Hyatt Kyoto, in the Higashiyama area, although families are likely to prefer the Four Seasons Kyoto, which has larger rooms and suites that can more easily accommodate them, as well as a swimming pool. We're also excited for the new Capella Kyoto, which opens in March 2026. The Six Senses Kyoto has a great hard product and spa, having opened in April 2024, but guests have had mixed experiences, as the service and service recovery when things go wrong isn't as polished as expected for this caliber of hotel.

With more time in Japan, consider adding a ryokan such as Nishimuraya Honkan in Kinosaki Onsen or a stay at a luxury hotel with its own onsen (hot spring water) such as the Ritz-Carlton Nikko or Park Hyatt Nikseko in Hokkaido.