In addition to its international business and first class lounges, JAL operates also a number of domestic Sakura Lounges and Diamond Premier Lounges at airports around Japan.
Earlier this month, I had a chance to visit one of the latter prior to taking a JAL flight from Tokyo to Fukuoka in first class. The below review will take you through the facilities the lounge offers as well as through the basic information like opening hours and entry eligibility.
Location, Opening Hours & Access
JAL operates two Diamond Premier Lounges in Tokyo Haneda’s terminal 1, its domestic hub. Both of those – the one in the South Wing and the one in the North Wing – can be accessed through a dedicated security check.
In line with JAL’s lounge access policy, passengers able to use the dedicated entrance and enter the lounge include:
- JAL domestic first class passengers and JAL international first class passengers connecting on the same day with up to one guest
- JAL international first class passengers connecting by 6:00AM of the next day with up to one guest
- JAL Mileage Bank Diamond and JAL Global Club Premier members with up to one guest
- Other oneworld Emerald status holders departing on a JAL domestic flight
While the South Wing lounge is open from 5:15AM until the last domestic JAL departure of the day, the North Wing one opens a few minutes later, at 5:30AM, every day.
Lounge Tour
Considering that I visited the South Wing lounge before my flight, that is the one I will talk about below. However, other than some minor differences in the layout, the South Wing and North Wing lounges are identical.
After passing through the security and heading up to the third floor where the lounge is located, I was welcomed by the reception staff.
The reception is shared with the business class Sakura Lounge and passengers eligible to access to that lounge are directed to the right. Those eligible for access into the Diamond Premier Lounge are directed to go left.
Leading to the main lounge area was a hallway lined with some of noteworthy features.
First, there were a few phone booth – my favorite feature of all Japanese airport lounges. Then, there were a cloak with a few dozen luggage lockers and a smoking room. Finally, there were the restrooms.
While I didn’t check them out, the lounge also offered shower rooms. Those were in the reception area, though.
Across from the entrance into the main part of the lounge, there was a large counter with a bonsai displayed on top. There were also a couple more phone booths.
To the left of the entrance art, one could find the drinks and snacks area while to the right there was the relaxation area.
Starting with the drinks and snacks area, there were about two dozen tables for two. There was also a counter along the windows with easy access to power outlets and nice views of the apron and runways.
Separately, there was also a counter with a relatively limited selection of food and drinks. More about that in the next section of this review, though.
Going back towards the entrance area and to the other side of the lounge, there was a relaxation area with plenty of seating. There were several different types of padded leather chairs and sofas, all fairly comfortable.
Unlike in the drinks and snacks area, each seat in the relaxation area offered easy access to power outlets.
Along the wall in this area, there were some individual workspaces. Along the windows, there was a counter. Sitting at the counter offered some excellent views of aircraft.
There was also another phone booth.
Finally, in the very back of the lounge, there was an area with three massage chairs.
Food and Drinks
Before continuing, keep in mind that I visited this lounge during the COVID-19 outbreak. Because of that, the offerings were limited compared to “normal times.”
As is usual with Japanese lounges, there were automatic beer dispensers. Four brands were offered – Asahi, Sapporo, Suntory, and Kirin.
Besides that, there was a Coca-Cola dispenser where one could get a variety of soft drinks. Among others, Coca-Cola, Minute Maid juices, and tea were available.
There were also a coffee machine and a selection of tea bags.
Other than the lack of juices in pitchers, the drink selection was unaffected by the outbreak.
The food selection, on the other hand, was reduced and only included packaged rice balls.
During “normal times,” a selection of bread including the lounge’s signature curry bread (served from 11:30AM) as well as a couple of different soups are served.
JAL Diamond Premier Lounge Tokyo Haneda Summary
Even though this is technically a “first class lounge,” considering that it is only used by passengers on domestic flights, it is nothing to write home about. In fact, the interior is largely the same as that of the business class Sakura Lounge.
The only difference is the availability of some light food items like rice balls and (during non-COVID-19 times) bread.
With all that said, if you are in Japan on a business trip and need to get some work done before your domestic flight, then it might be well worth spending a couple of hours in the lounge. Especially so if you are a oneworld Emerald status holder.
