How I Skipped the Jet Lag After My 12-Hour Flight to Japan

Japan is a place I’ve always wanted to visit, but as an American, there’s one giant barrier to entry – the exhausting 12-hour flight it takes to get there. Visiting Japan requires some careful planning if you want to bypass the fog of jet lag between the long flight and the time zone difference. 

After taking a few easy measures, though, I managed to crack the code and skip over the agonizing jet lag. 

The following steps are some of my most crucial travel hacks for visiting Japan. It’s all about starting your trip off on the right foot. Simply follow this four-part strategy and I’m confident you’ll beat your jet lag, too. 

Step #1: Book a Flight That Lands in the Late Afternoon, Tokyo Time

Successfully skipping the jet lag after my long solo journey to Japan started by booking the right flight. It’s basically impossible to get on the right side of jet lag if you take a flight that arrives in Japan very early or very late in the day. 

Think about it – if your plane lands at 8 in the morning you are forced to stay awake for at least 12 hours to beat the jet lag curse; more likely, you’ll knock out in the afternoon and wake up in the middle of the night, screwing up your schedule for the rest of the trip. 

Instead, I booked a flight that departed from Los Angeles in the morning and reached Tokyo by the late afternoon Japan Standard Time. 

This was the perfect time to land for a few reasons: 

1. I didn’t have to endure an overnight flight. 

2. It gave me plenty of time to get all my arrival tasks done.

3. I wasn’t forcing myself to stay up for an incomprehensible amount of time. 

This one decision set me on the right path to avoid jet lag in Japan, but there were still a few more things I had to do once I arrived in the country. 

Step #2: Take Walks Around the City to Keep Yourself Awake on Arrival Day

It took me about an hour to depart the airport and check in to my hotel. That left me with around five hours to kill before I could fall asleep at a reasonable time. The reality was that I was completely exhausted and wanted to fall asleep the moment my gaze landed on the bed. 

I decided the best way to keep my eyelids from involuntarily sliding shut was to get moving and start wandering around the city. I was more than happy to do that in a place like Tokyo. 

I took photos, observed everyday life around the city, and perused 7-Eleven for snacks. I stayed in the quiet Minato district and it was perfect for just exploring without a plan. 

In my years of travel, I’ve learned that I never want to visit huge tourist attractions or busy areas right after getting off a long flight. That’s why just getting to know a city on foot is the ideal activity to keep you awake without it being too much. 

👉 Pro Tip: If you want to walk around Tokyo neighborhoods away from your hotel, it’s very easy to navigate Japan’s public transportation. 

Step #3: Fall Asleep at Around 8 PM and Naturally Wake Up at 4 AM the Next Day

By the time the clock struck 8 pm and the sun had descended, I barely had enough energy to do my evening routine. This groggy state was optimal because as soon as I hit the hotel bed, I was completely out for a solid eight hours. 

My internal alarm clock rang at around 4 in the morning, which gave me plenty of time to ease myself awake, take a shower, and get ready for my first day in Japan. I was prepared to take on a full day by around 5:30 am; well-rested and bubbling over with anticipation. 

However, Japan is a country of late risers and there were very few things to do at that time. Plus, I was starving and most of the cafes didn’t even open for another four hours. Luckily, there is one popular Tokyo attraction that requires visitors to wake up around this time. 

Step #4: Plan to Visit the Tsukiji Fish Market Early in the Morning on Your First Full Day in Japan

It’s beneficial to get up early to visit any major tourist spot because they get overwhelmingly busy pretty early in the day. However, this is essential for visiting the Tsukiji Fish Market, one of the most popular attractions in Japan. 

Don’t let its name fool you – this Tokyo market is packed with much more than just fish (although that’s obviously available, too). Some of the market’s staples are sweet egg omelets, wagyu beef on a stick, and strawberry daifuku. 

Visiting the Tsukiji Fish Market was a terrific way to dive into Japan’s amazing food culture right off the bat. It’s also one of the few things available in the wee hours of the morning. Plus, it’s highly recommended to visit around this time regardless of jet lag.

The market is only open until around 1 pm, but many of the stalls close by 11 am or earlier. 

That’s why visitors should aim to arrive around 6:30 in the morning to get the best selection of food options and beat the crowds. 

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Acclimating your sleep schedule from the get-go sets the tone for the rest of your trip. Travelers can waste days of their valuable time in Japan if they fall into the jet lag trap. 

With this simple four-step plan, I effectively skipped the jet lag phase of traveling to Japan and got right into having fun. Just follow this blueprint to do the same. 

During my Japan trip, I came across several things that would be seen as questionable or even rude in the United States. To find out more, check out my article on American taboos that are considered normal in Japan.