This blog is to keep a record on the process to secure flight ticket at most suitable time for best possible price.
My son's secondary school planned a student exchange trip to Toyohashi (Aichi Prefecture). The nearest airport is Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) which is located at Nagoya.
Due to recent political issue between China and Japan, it was announced that China cancels all flights on 49 routes to Japan | The Star (27/Jan/2026). Thus, flight selection had been limited to only several airlines except those from China. With such limitation, Singapore Airlines will be the one of the best option, and it is expected the fare will continue to increase if the political issue continues as it is. On the other hand, school teacher is looking for ticket purchase directly via travel agency as alternative option.
[ News ]
1) Proposal #1
Target Date: 22/May/2026 (Fri) ~ 30/May/2026 (Sat) - 9D8N
Target Flight: Singapore Airlines
Departure: Penang International Airport (PEN)
Arrival: Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO)
- Flight Fare Monitoring:
- 12/12/2025: RM3,283
- 03/02/2026: RM3,841
- 04/02/2026: RM3,758
- 09/02/2026: RM3,757
- 10/02/2026: RM4,117
- 23/02/2026: RM4,476
- 11/03/2026: RM6,173 (Middle East War causing fuel shortage)
Pros:
- Shortest flight time, longer stay time in Japan.
Cons:
- Price kept increasing from day to day.
2) Proposal #2
Target Date: 23/May/2026 (Sat) ~ 31/May/2026 (Sun) - 9D8N
Target Flight: Singapore Airlines
Departure: Penang International Airport (PEN)
Arrival: Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO)
- Flight Fare Monitoring:
- 10/02/2026: RM3,757
- 23/02/2026: RM3,756
Pros:
- Cheapest price at this moment (23/Feb/2026)
Cons:
- Longer transit time at Singapore Changi Airport when heading to Japan. However, possible of 2.5-hour guided FREE Singapore Tour during the long hours transit.
3) Proposal #3
Target Date: 22/May/2026 (Fri) ~ 31/May/2026 (Sun) - 10D9N
Target Flight: China Airlines
Departure: Penang International Airport (PEN)
Arrival: Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO)
- Flight Fare Monitoring:
- 23/02/2026: RM3,408 (via Travel Agency)
Pros:
- Day flight. Travelers who transit through Taoyuan International Airport and enter Taiwan for a stay of up to 24 hours during their layover will receive a gift voucher worth NT$600 (possible for Evening Tour or Self-Guided Tour). The vouchers can be redeemed across airport restaurants, duty-free outlets, souvenir shops, and retail stores.
Cons:
- Layover 2-night (to/fro) at Taoyuan Airport. Need to pay additional for 2-night stay at airport hotel (for 2-night, twin sharing basis).
Conclusion:
- Majority voted to proceed on Proposal #3 as we do not know if the flight fare will further increase or not. Secure a seat earlier with China Airlines save us from future uncertainty.
- Total payment of RM3,848 (Flight RM3,408 + Hotel RM440).
Travel Insurance
- Lounge Finder | Complimentary Airport Lounge Access (if flight delay more than 60min)
Sim Card (4G / 5G Data Roaming)
- Daily 1GB / 2GB / 3GB High Speed Data (+ Unlimited 128kbs)
- Plan 1: Daily 1GB for 10 days @ RM35.83
- Plan 2: Daily 2GB for 10 days @ RM66.38 (recommended)
- Plan 3: Daily 3GB for 10 days @ RM90.35
- Once connect to network, data service will be started until 23:59 and counted as 1 Day
- Cover multiple regions: Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan
- The "Enter Taiwan, Enjoy a Gift!” campaign will open for online registration at 12:00 PM on November 1, 2025, and will run until October 31, 2026. Specifically designed for transit travelers, the campaign offers tangible incentives that encourage international visitors to explore the airport's unique shops and enjoy Taiwanese delicacies during their layovers. Through this effort, the Tourism Administration aims to enhance Taiwan's international visibility and attract return visits from transit passengers.
- Travelers holding a non–Republic of China (Taiwan) passport who transit through Taoyuan International Airport and enter Taiwan for a stay of up to 24 hours during their layover will receive a gift voucher worth NT$600. The vouchers can be redeemed across airport restaurants, duty-free outlets, souvenir shops, and retail stores.
- Travelers can register their basic information on the campaign website. Upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport, they can present their passport and onward international boarding pass at the Taiwan Tourism Administration's Visitor Service Centers (located in Terminal 1 or Terminal 2) to receive a NT$600 shopping voucher.
- Evening Tour @ Gourmet Guided Tour with Night Market. Tour schedule | Free Half-Day Tour. The night tour accepts group reservation only. If you have such request, please send us your inquiry to halfdaytour@mail.tad.gov.tw
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
- TWAC | Taiwan Arrival Card (within 3 days before arrival)
- Physical printout is not required. However, if requested during the immigration process, you may be asked to present the confirmation email on your mobile device for verification.
- TWAC provides a group submission service with the following options:
- Web-based Submission: Up to 10 people in a single session.
- Excel File Import: Up to 16 people by importing an Excel file.
- Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport | Facilities Map | Floor Plan
- Terminal 1: Arrival Procedures-Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
- Terminal 1: Departure Procedures-Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
- Transit: Transfer /Transit Procedures-Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO)
- Visit Japan Web | Japan Arrival Card (at least 48 hours before departure)
- In order to use Visit Japan Web, one account is required for each person, so in principle, please create an account with a different email address for each person.
- Show your QR code at immigration and customs when you arrive in Japan.
- Chubu Centrair International Airport, Nagoya | Floor Map
- Terminal 1: International Flight Arrival Procedures
- Terminal 1: International Flight Departure Procedures
- Flight of Dreams
- Centrair Sky Deck
Tax Exemption / Tax-Free in Japan (for tourist staying in Japan < 6 months)
- The standard VAT (tax) rate in Japan is 10%. Certain products, such as food, drinks, and subscribed periodicals, are subject to a reduced tax rate of 8%.
- Existing: Japan Tax Refund Guide for Malaysian Tourists | How to Shop Tax-Free in Japan
- Tourists are exempted from VAT tax on eligible items bought at approved stores (e.g.: Don Quijote, Bic Camera, Sugi Pharmacy, Isetan, Takashimaya, etc...)
- There are two main categories for tax exemption in Japan:
- General Goods: Clothes, electronics, bags, toys, etc.
- Consumable Goods: Food, drinks, cosmetics, medicine, toothpaste, supplements, etc.
- Conditions:
- Must spend at least ¥5,000 (excluding tax) in same day, in the same store.
- Maximum limit: ¥500,000 (about RM12,500)
- Usually packed in a special sealed bag by the store – don’t open it before you fly!
- Buy items for personal use only – not for business or resale
- Leave Japan within 30 days of the purchase date
- Not open or use consumables in Japan
- New: From November 1, 2026, Japan’s new tax-free system for inbound travellers will change to a refund-based system.
- Before departure from Japan, you will have to show your goods when going through Customs.
- Ensure that you have all of your tax-free items on your carry-on or wherever it is easily accessible to show the Customs; and
- Consumables must be sealed in clear plastic bags and not be opened.
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