Perfect TIMING

Qantas’s convenient daily f lights to Japan guarantee a relaxed arrival in Tokyo.

It’s early morning in Japan’s capital and the city is already wide awake. With the kaleidoscope of neon lights well and truly off, the early-morning Qantas flight from Sydney taxis into one of the world’s busiest airports. Welcome to Tokyo, a city that will almost certainly blow your mind, no matter how often you’re lucky enough to visit.

In 2015, Qantas began operating the first-ever direct flight from Sydney to Haneda International Airport, in addition to the Brisbane-Narita route, allowing Australians to arrive at Tokyo’s most central airport. The beauty of the departure time from Sydney is an arrival in Tokyo just after dawn, allowing a full day ahead for exploration, relaxing or making domestic flight or train connections.

The flight is just a little over nine and a half hours, passing in the blink of an eye with the constant stream of entertainment, in-flight dining options and, in Business Class, the enviable flatbed in the refurbished B747, now matching the standard of the A380.

Supper is served not long after the seatbelt sign switches off: choose from Neil Perry’s Rockpoolinspired menu, including a generous selection of Japanese dishes such as a black sesame rice parcel for travellers keen to start their culinary journey immediately. Expect outstanding service plus a range of snacks, fruit and chocolates available at any time during the night, with premium beer, champagne and a wine list selected by Rockpool sommeliers. Sake is also available exclusively on flights to Japan.

There’s no doubt that after the premium dining it’s easy to reach into the vivid Kate Spade amenities kit, don the soft black eyemask and settle in for some uninterrupted hours of in-air slumber. The cocoonlike flatbeds, with adjustable entertainment screens and latest movie, music and television options, and the electric privacy screen between seats, maximises the pleasure of the journey.

The return flight to Australia is also perfectly timed, with the Qantas late-evening service from Tokyo providing an early-morning arrival into Sydney. A generous 40 kilograms of checked luggage and two carry-on bags for Business Class means all that Tokyo retail therapy is easy to get home. Now to unpack …