Japan Airlines is giving away 50,000 round trip plane tickets - here's how to get yours

• Japan Airlines is giving away 50,000 free round trip tickets.
• The flights must be between Tokyo (Haneda) and Osaka (Itami/Kansai). That's to encourage tourists to go outside of the typical urban centers when visiting Japan.
• Only international tourists qualify for the tickets.
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Japan Airlines announced it's giving away 50,000 free round trip tickets. But, don't expect to save thousands on a trip to Japan.

The tickets are only for flights between Tokyo (Haneda) and Osaka (Itami/Kansai). That's to encourage tourists to go outside of the typical urban centers when visting Japan.

"Japan is much more than the bright lights of its sprawling urban centers," said a Japan Airlines online announcement dated December 30. "Visitors can discover more about the country's fascinating history and distinctive cultural practices by exploring Japan's different regions."

Nearly 2.5 million foreign residents visited Japan in October 2019 alone, according to JTB Tourism Research. The tourism industry generated a whopping $37 billion for the country.

But government statistics show that travelers overwhelmingly visit the Kanto region, where Tokyo is, as well as Osaka's and Kyoto's Kansai region. Smaller, rural areas aren't able to capture money from the tourism industry - but the Japan Airlines promotion may help encourage visitors to go further afield.

Based on fleet age, passenger reviews, product offerings, and profitability, Japan Airlines was called the No. 10 best airline in the world by AirlinesRatings.com.

How to learn if you're eligible to claim a free ticket:

1. Your residency must be outside of Japan - meaning that your passport is issued by a country that's not Japan, or you have the right of permanent residence outside of Japan
2. You will be in Japan between July and September 2020
3. You are a JAL Mileage Bank member