Is it cheaper to fly into Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND)?

Haneda is closer to the city center, but Narita often hosts the budget international carriers, making it slightly cheaper to access.

Does it matter which day of the week I fly?

Yes. Mid-week departures (Tuesday/Wednesday) are consistently 10-15% cheaper than Friday or Sunday departures.

Should I use a VPN to find cheaper prices?

It is largely a myth. Airline pricing algorithms are more influenced by your historical search cookies and departure airport location than by your IP address.

Finding Cheap Flights to Tokyo from the U.S.

Use Google Flights to track prices 3-6 months in advance and aim for flights into Narita (NRT) rather than Haneda (HND) if prices are stagnant. Booking on a Tuesday or Wednesday for off-peak months like November or February will save you at least $300 compared to summer or Cherry Blossom season.

Set up tracking alerts. Open Google Flights, enter your departure city and Tokyo (TYO covers both NRT and HND). Toggle the 'Track prices' switch immediately. This provides email updates when prices drop, which happens frequently on trans-Pacific routes.
Look for the shoulder seasons. Avoid late March/early April (Cherry Blossoms) and August. Prices plummet in mid-November and February. If you fly during these windows, expect to pay $800-$1,000 round-trip instead of the $1,500+ standard.
Consider positioning flights. If you live in a smaller U.S. city, don't search for a single ticket to Tokyo. Search for a cheap domestic flight to a major hub like LAX, SFO, or SEA, then book your trans-Pacific flight separately from that hub. You will often save $200+ even after paying for the domestic leg.
Use airline alliances. Check flights on specific alliance websites (Star Alliance, Oneworld, SkyTeam). Sometimes booking a 'codeshare' flight—where you buy an American Airlines ticket that is actually operated by Japan Airlines—is cheaper than buying directly through the operating carrier.

Is it cheaper to fly into Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND)?: Haneda is closer to the city center, but Narita often hosts the budget international carriers, making it slightly cheaper to access.
Does it matter which day of the week I fly?: Yes. Mid-week departures (Tuesday/Wednesday) are consistently 10-15% cheaper than Friday or Sunday departures.
Should I use a VPN to find cheaper prices?: It is largely a myth. Airline pricing algorithms are more influenced by your historical search cookies and departure airport location than by your IP address.