Thai AirAsia X (www.airasia.com) has announced new direct flights between Bangkok's Don Muang and Fukuoka, Japan. Starting from Jul 4, the five-hour flights will run four times a week.

After low-cost airline Jetstar dropped the route back in 2016, bargain flights to Fukuoka have been few and far between. Now, within the promotional period (Mar 29 - Apr 14), AirAsia BIG members can snag a round-trip for just B5,980 return (traveling period of Jul 3-Oct 26). Outside of that, you can expect to pay around B7,000 (excluding luggage) which is almost half what rivals Thai Lion and Thai Airways charge.

After adding Sapporo and Nagoya to their roster last year, Thai AirAsia X now offers a total of five routes to the Land of Rising Sun (the other two are Tokyo and Osaka).

Situated on the northern shore of Japan's third largest island, Kyushu, Fukuoka is a dreamy city known for its beaches, malls and yatai (street-food stalls), as well as ancient temples like Tochoji Temple, home to Japan's largest wooden Buddha statue, and shrines like Dazaifu Tenmangu and Kushida.