The budget airline officially relaunched the country’s only direct service between Sydney and Osaka (Kansai), with the first flight taking off this morning

The flight marks the first time in 15 years the low-cost carrier has operated the route which will see it run three return services per week on its Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

“Australians’ love for Japan continues to grow and the strength of the Australian dollar against the Yen means it’s incredibly affordable right now,” Jetstar’s executive manager of customer relations Jenn Armor said in a statement.

“This is the third direct service we’ve launched from Australia to Japan in the last six months and the second to Osaka, with strong demand for our existing flights.

“As the food capital of Japan, Osaka has so much to offer Aussie travellers, with incredible night markets, street stalls and Michelann star restaurants.”

Prices from Sydney to Osaka, which is Japan’s second biggest city after Tokyo, will start from just $363.

Demand for Japan continues to grow

Tourism & Transport Forum Australia’s annual travel plans survey found Japan continues to soar in popularity with every age group and will be the third most popular overseas destination this year after Europe and New Zealand.

Expedia Australia’s Sarah King explained a trip to Japan for Aussies right now is “better value than it has been in years” thanks to the strength of the Australian dollar against the Japanese Yen.

In December last year, new data from Expedia revealed that for the first time in eight years, Bali had been dethroned in what has been dubbed a “significant shift” in Aussie vacationers’ behaviour.

It found Tokyo had knocked Bali out of the top spot with Singapore coming in third, followed by Osaka and Kyoto, then New York.

Some argued Japan’s rising popularity could be due to many Aussies seeking snow being forced to rule out more expensive winter sport destinations, such as Europe and the US.

Rising costs at home have also pushed Aussies to look for more budget-friendly holidays.

“Japan is a really good option for people who don’t want to travel to North America or Europe but who want the snow,” Expedia brands managing director Daniel Finch said in December.

“The people are very welcoming, it’s not a hard time zone change, and without a doubt snow sports and winter sports play a part in outbound travel for Australians in summer.

“With the euro and the US dollar, once foreign exchange comes into the equation it just becomes really expensive for Australians.”