Nah, I'm just going in on Friday and flying back Monday. Cheaper to drive. Out of curiosity, how low of flights have you found from LA to Tokyo? What travel search place are you using? Other than looking at the airline websites, I use Google Flights and Kayak. I used to use cheapoair.
The "cheap" airlines are coming to america...or at least offering service from europe to america. Many "somewhat smaller cities" routes are now out there from the ryan air international imitators. (too many to list). Its a renaissance for low cost airfares imho.
$491 on Air Canada out of San Diego $614 out of LAX When I'm shopping I use a bunch; secret flying, google flights, points guy, etc.
Just booked the flights for our November holidays in Afrika. Frankfurt to Windhok and Victoria Falls to Frankfurt. Return flight on the 29th:900€ pp. Return flight one day later 640€. Not bad for a multi-city flight. I thought they were more expensive. We decided to spent another day in a lodge under the African sun instead of immediately returning to the rainy, foggy Northern Hemisphere.
Paris flights have gone down now. I can find them at $600 pp. Rio is still around $1100/1300 pp unless you want 2 stops.