Hello everyone, this is Sugiura, the editor-in-chief of Ashu Travel, a travel agency specializing in Central Asia.

Kyrgyzstan is full of many charms, such as the picturesque scenery that has been called “the Switzerland of Central Asia” and the unique culture that is woven together by its diverse ethnic groups. It is a little far from Japan, but it is well worth the long journey to visit.

In this article, we will introduce the best way to get to Kyrgyzstan for those of you who are visiting for the first time. We will also explain the recommended routes and how to find the best flight deals, so don’t miss it!

Where is Kyrgyzstan? Is there a time difference?

First, we will introduce the location of Kyrgyzstan and the time difference with Japan. Please try to imagine the general location.

This is where Kyrgyzstan is!

Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, rich in nature. It is surrounded by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China. It is a crossroads on the so-called “Silk Road”, and in the past, many trade caravans passed through this region. It is also a land of mountains and grasslands, where the culture of herding and nomadic people still survives.

This topography and environment create a unique exotic atmosphere and endless expanses of beautiful nature, which are the unique charms of Kyrgyzstan. I have traveled to nearly 20 countries, and I look for a different experience when I travel abroad, and Kyrgyzstan is perfect for those who are looking for a special experience.

The distance from Japan is 2.5 times that of ○○.

The straight-line distance between Tokyo, Japan, and Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is about 5,500 km. The straight-line distance from Hokkaido to Okinawa is about 2,200 km, so it may be easier to imagine if you think of it as being about 2.5 times that distance. Incidentally, the straight-line distance from Tokyo to Singapore is also about the same, at about 5,300 km.

This alone makes it look far away, but the actual flight route is not a straight line, so it will be even further away.

The time difference with Japan is surprisingly…

Now, as for the time difference, the time difference between Kyrgyzstan and Japan is only -3 hours. In other words, when it is 12 o’clock noon in Japan, it is 9 o’clock in the morning in Kyrgyzstan.

Personally, I think it’s a level where you don’t have to worry about jet lag. The time difference between Denmark, where I’ve traveled abroad before, and New York is 8 hours, and it was pretty tough. Since the difference is only a few hours, it’s not so easy to disrupt your daily rhythm, and you can probably move around actively while you’re traveling.

How do I get from Japan to Kyrgyzstan?

Let’s take a look at the basic ways to get from Japan to Kyrgyzstan and some typical routes.

There are no direct flights from Japan to Kyrgyzstan!

The first thing you need to know is that there are no direct flights from Japan to Kyrgyzstan. You will need to change planes at least once. This may seem a bit troublesome, but it all depends on how you look at it.

For example, it’s more refreshing to get off the plane for a while than to stay on it for nearly 20 hours. Also, you can enjoy local food and souvenirs at the airport you’re passing through. For example, I recommend Incheon International Airport in South Korea. It has a large site with stylish shops, delicious Korean food, unique art, and many other attractions, making it perfect for a girls’ trip.

By all means, please enjoy your trip to Kyrgyzstan, including the journey there.

There are two ways to get there via a connecting flight from Japan.

There are two main ways to get from Japan to Kyrgyzstan.

• By air only
• Air + Land

If you are flying only, you will take a route that goes from Narita Airport or Kansai International Airport to Manas International Airport in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, via South Korea or Turkey.

The following is an example of a connecting route.

• Tokyo → Seoul (South Korea) → Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)
• Tokyo → Istanbul (Turkey) → Bishkek
• Osaka → Beijing (China) → Bishkek
• Tokyo → Seoul (South Korea) → Almaty (Kazakhstan) → Bishkek

When combining air and land routes, the most common route is to enter the country from Kazakhstan. You can fly from Japan to Kazakhstan via South Korea or China, and then enter Kyrgyzstan from Kazakhstan by bus or car.

Japanese citizens do not need a visa to stay in Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan for a certain period of time for tourism purposes. If there are no problems, you can cross the border smoothly even by land.

Recommended route

As an editorial staff member specializing in Kyrgyzstan travel, I recommend a route that combines air and land travel. There are two reasons for this recommendation.

① The balance between price and time is excellent.

At first glance, air routes alone may seem like the easiest option, but in reality, they can be quite expensive and the flight times can be very long.

For example, the following is a flight from Tokyo to Bishkek on a certain day, as searched on Trip.com.

When I thought “There are flights in the 50,000 yen range!” I found a flight that took 55 hours, and when I thought “I found a 26-hour flight!” it was “150,000 yen one way”.

If you are flying via China, there are “20 hours x 50,000 yen” flights, but to enter China you need to either obtain a visa or use the transit visa exemption system. If you understand the system and make good use of it, you can go to Kyrgyzstan on a cheap flight, but if you are new to this, the procedures can be complicated and you may have trouble.

Therefore, the route to Bishkek’s Manas Airport by air is a little difficult.

On the other hand, when I searched for a flight ticket from Tokyo to Almaty, Kazakhstan on the same day as above on Trip.com, I got the following results.

With the increase in the number of airlines to choose from, such as Asiana Airlines, Zip Air, and Air Seoul, the flight time and price are moderate compared to routes that only travel by air, such as “70,000 yen for a 13-hour flight” and “60,000 yen for an 11-hour flight”.

Once you get off the plane in Almaty, you can travel by marshrutka (a small shared bus in Central Asia), large bus, taxi, or tour bus. A marshrutka costs around 700 yen, and a taxi or large bus costs a little over 1,000 yen. It takes about 5 hours. Depending on the time of day, you may have to wait at the bus station or immigration.

After getting off the plane after 10+ hours, I refreshed myself before setting off on my road trip. When you think about it in total, I recommend air + land because it’s a good balance of price, time, and fatigue!

② You can enjoy the spectacular view from the window and sightseeing in Kazakhstan.

The advantage of traveling by land is that you can enjoy the scenery from the window. You can enjoy the great outdoors, which is something you don’t often get to see in Japan.

Also, some of the visitors to Kyrgyzstan also stop off in Kazakhstan to enjoy sightseeing and trekking. Since you’re there anyway, why not take the opportunity to visit two countries?

How to find a good flight to Kyrgyzstan

Now, let’s explain how to find a good deal on a plane ticket to Kyrgyzstan!

Price of air tickets to Kyrgyzstan

The price of a round-trip ticket to Kyrgyzstan is around 100,000 to 300,000 yen. There is a considerable difference in the price of tickets depending on the time of year and route.

Tips for finding cheap airline tickets

The trick to finding cheap flights is to go to comparison sites like Google Flight or Skyscanner, enter your destination, and find out the going rate for the time of year you want to go by changing the departure and arrival locations and dates.

There are three ways to buy airline tickets: (1) using the official website of the airline company, (2) asking a travel agency in Japan, and (3) using a comparison search site. No matter where you buy your tickets, it is convenient to compare prices on multiple flights on a comparison search site first, so you can understand the market price and make your choice more easily.

Incidentally, the advantages of booking through an airline’s official website are that you can easily earn miles and choose your seat. On the other hand, if you use a Japanese travel agency, you will receive more support, although the price will be slightly higher. If you purchase through a comparison search site, it is difficult to change or consult about your reservation, but the advantage is that it is easy to find cheap tickets.

Points to note when choosing a connecting flight ticket

In case of delays, we recommend choosing flights with a transfer time of at least 3 hours. Delays are common with flights. I have been on many overseas trips where the flight was delayed by nearly an hour, and I was very nervous. With LCCs, there are cases where refunds are not given for delays, so choose a flight plan with plenty of time to spare.

As Travel Tour supports smooth travel

If you want to cross the border in comfort, why not consider using a tour? With Asu Travel, you can enjoy your trip from start to finish with the support of a Japanese-speaking guide.

A Japanese-speaking guide will meet you at Almaty Airport.

A reassuring service for your trip to Kyrgyzstan is the pick-up service provided by the Japanese-speaking guides at As Travel. You will be taken to Kyrgyzstan in a private car. This is a great service for those who are worried about the language barrier on their first trip to Kyrgyzstan!

We will see you safely to the airport on your return.

You can also rely on Ashtravel’s support when you return home. Basically, night flights are recommended for all tours, but if you consult with us in advance, we can also adjust the time.

Can I ask you to arrange my air ticket?

Unfortunately, we do not arrange airplane tickets, but we can introduce you to a ticket agency in Japan. If you are worried about doing it for the first time, please contact us.

Japan Air Travel Marketing Co., Ltd. Tokyo Head Office Mika Yasuda

5th Floor, Toudan Building, 4-16-13 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0023

For individual, tour, corporate and group customers: rtbinfo@jatm.co.jp Mobile: 090-6477-2575

Business hours: Weekdays 09:30 – 18:30

The journey to Kyrgyzstan is also the best part of the trip!

The journey of gradually approaching your destination while changing planes is also the real pleasure of traveling to a foreign country. As you think to yourself “I wonder what kind of scenery is waiting for me?”, please enjoy the different scenery and encounters at each airport.

It’s a bit of a detour, but the trick to enjoying a trip to Kyrgyzstan is to enjoy the process as well. Let’s get ready for our adventure right away!

Recommended Tours by Ashu Travel

If you want to enjoy Kyrgyzstan at a leisurely pace, we recommend the “Trekking and horse riding in the valley to Lake Kol-Kogul, staying overnight in a tent” tour from ASHUTRAVEL. In addition to activities in the spectacular scenery, you can also enjoy staying at famous spots in Bishkek and the popular Ashu Guest House.

Our experienced guides will provide you with full support, so please enjoy your trip to Kyrgyzstan with peace of mind.

渓谷乗馬トレッキングでコルコグル湖へ目指すテント泊ツアー7泊8日

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