Sakura Lounges are Japan Airlines’ trademark Business Class-tier lounges. For domestic services, these lounges are specifically available at Haneda (HND), Narita (NRT), Itami (ITM), Fukuoka (FUK), Sapporo (CTS), Naha (OKA), Okayama (OKJ), Kagoshima (KOJ), Hiroshima (HIJ), Matsuyama (MIJ), and Komatsu (KMQ). Being JAL’s main hub, Haneda has four domestic lounges – two of which are Sakura Lounge complementing two top-tier Diamond Premier Lounges. This is the review for the JAL Sakura Lounge North, which is the biggest of the four JAL Lounges.

Lounge Access Rules

Passengers with a same-day reservation on JAL First Class (regardless of domestic or international) or international Business Class flight are afforded access. Passengers connecting from international JAL First Class and JAL Business Class flights are also eligible for entry. Note that passengers without status holding a domestic Class J ticket are not qualified for entry.

When accessing by status, passengers holding at least a JMB Saphire or JAL Global Club status are eligible for access. This also extends to Sapphire status holders with oneworld carriers, such as Cathay Gold, AAdvantage Platinum, or BA Executive Club Silver. Of course, access is also permitted to oneworld Emerald card holders.

In addition, it is possible to pay to use the Sakura Lounge for JPY3000, which can be reserved online from the flight reservation details screen (in Japanese only).

Location

Airside, this lounge is located near Gate 15 on the North Wing of Haneda Airport. It shares one common entrance with the JAL Diamond Premier Lounge, which is located a few steps away from the security checkpoint and the exit to the baggage claim. In case you are coming from the JAL First Class check-in counter and want to use this lounge over the Diamond Premier Lounge for some odd reason, it is directly accessible past the private First Class security checkpoint.

JAL Sakura Lounge

As a rehash from the Diamond Premier Lounge Review: There is a reception desk immediately after taking the escalators up from the lounge entrance. On the desk are a few self-service boarding pass scanners that will advise which lounge you are eligible to enter. Upon a successful beep, the friendly reception associate will point you in the direction of either the Diamond Premier Lounge or the Sakura Lounge. I had access to both by virtue of my Cathay Diamond membership and my JAL First Class boarding pass.

Lounge Seating and Amenities

The lounge is located down a corridor from the reception, opening to a well-lit windowed space. Just like the Diamond Premier Lounge, there is a prominent artwork display, this time of a stylised blossoming tree.

The lounge extends lengthwise to the right-hand side from the entrance, down several sections. In terms of design, it has a very similar look to the Diamond Premier Lounge. Of that, I think it is an interesting design choice on the part of JAL since there are little to no hardware differences between the two lounges. The only noticeable absence is a cloakroom available in the Diamond section.

Dining Area

Immediately to the left of the entrance is the main dining area, consisting of a handful of proper dining tables. This is also where the lounge’s main refreshments spread is located. Much like the Diamond Premier section, most lounge patrons were concentrated in this area during my visit.

A second dining area that also features refreshments is available in the middle section of the lounge. Unlike the main dining area, this one only features high-top seating, in addition to the window-side long bar seating that extends along the full length of the lounge.

Sofa Seating

In the middle of the lounge is an ordinary pattern of seating, featuring rows of sofa chairs facing each other. By the interior wall are semi-partitioned desk cubicles, facing a book and curio display. More desk seating is available by the window, only without any partitions. Power outlets are available on the consoles next to each chair, or on the surface of the desks. Remarkably, this area looked identical to the Library section of the Diamond Premier Lounge, only on a larger scale. Likewise, the books on display appeared to be there more as decoration.

Cubicle Seating

In addition to the row seating, there is also a mini-cubicle seating option at the opposite end of the lounge. These cubicles are slightly more private than the main seating area, although remain mostly exposed. Each cubicle features a single leather sofa chair, along with a small side table. Power outlets are available on the wall. Given the inconvenient table surface (to use a laptop), I didn’t find this seating option to be particularly favourable. Still, it’s nice to have the option, especially as a solo traveller.

Nap Area

One remarkable difference to the Diamond Premier Lounge is the availability of a nap area in the Sakura Lounge. The area is composed of ottoman-equipped chairs partially separated by walls. However, do note that there are only a handful of these lounger cubicles, making them difficult to get during busier times of the day.

Massage area

Towards the far corner of the lounge is a room with two massage chairs separated by half-wall cubicles. Like the ones in the Diamond section, these chairs are free to use.

Telephone Booths

As is widely the case in Japan, making telephone calls in enclosed spaces are frowned upon. In fact, nodding to this cultural norm, signs advising that phone calls are not allowed are scattered all over the lounge. Instead, such calls are expected to be taken in enclosed telephone booths, which limit the amount of noise coming into the lounge. There are four booths at the Sakura Premier Lounge, spread along the interior wall of the lounge. Power outlets are similarly available in these booths.

Lounge Wifi

The lounge has its own WiFi network separate from the rest of the terminal. There was no password for the network and the connection was fast and reliable. Very convenient, as always!

Dining

Whilst the rest of the lounge looks incredibly similar to the Diamond Premier Lounge (if not nicer), that all changes when it comes to food and drinks. Food is limited to the three kinds of rice crackers (senbei) and hard candy, both of which are also available in the Diamond section.

Following this, there are also the ordinary coffee machines, along with a tea selection and a soft drink dispenser – all of which are similar to that in the Diamond Lounge.

In terms of alcoholic drinks, there are similarly three types of beer available, although the options are a bit different and less premium. On offer were Perfect Suntory Beer, Kirin Ichiban Shibori, and Asahi Super Dry, all of which are ordinary mainstream beers. Also available is a bottle of Suntory Royal Blended Whisky.

The selection is more-or-less identical in the other dining area of the lounge. Truly nothing extraordinary, but fair enough I guess.

Toilet

Being the biggest lounge, the Sakura Lounge North has two toilets, located at opposite ends. The one near the entrance is the bigger of the two toilets. Like the Diamond section, the toilet cubicles feature Toto Neorest washlets. When I visited, the male toilet was expectedly clean and well-kept.

Overall

Overall, I thought that the JAL Sakura Lounge North is a decent-enough lounge to spend time in. I was surprised that the seating options and amenities are arguably as good, if not better than the Diamond Premier Lounge. Despite that, given the very limited food selection and the average drink selection, I wasn’t as impressed with this lounge. Whilst I think it’s nice that it is possible to pay for access to this lounge for JPY3000, I’d rather make the splurge to upgrade to JAL First Class in that case.

In any case, I wouldn’t complain if this were the only lounge I had access to; yet, I wouldn’t think twice about disregarding the Sakura Lounge supposing that I have access to the Diamond section!

Read more from this trip here!