The Sakura Lounges are Japan Airlines’ trademark Business Class-tier lounges. On this visit, I was able to check out the international Sakura Lounge offering at Narita International Airport, one of the two major JAL hubs. At Terminal 2, the airline also operates a First Class Lounge, dedicated to First Class passengers and top-tier elite frequent flyers. Although the satellite part of the terminal originally housed a second Sakura Lounge, the latter closed down in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lounge Access Rules

Passengers with a same-day reservation on Japan Airlines and oneworld First Class and Business Class flights are eligible for access. Passengers connecting to a oneworld flight from an international long haul oneworld flight in First Class and Business Class are also eligible for entry. Additionally, Japan Airlines also generously grants access to JAL Premium Economy Class passengers and certain JAL Economy Class passengers (Fare Class Y). When accessing by status, passengers holding at least oneworld Sapphire status are eligible for access. Refer to the Japan Airlines website for specific details.

Location

The JAL Sakura Lounge is located in the main building of Terminal 2, right after the South Passport Control checkpoint. The entrance to the lounge is prominent, with JAL’s golden tsurumaru emblem and signs saying Sakura Lounge and First Class Lounge. If you’re in transit, follow the signs pointing to Gate 61, which is the closest gate to the lounge.

JAL Sakura Lounge

As I made my way to the shared lounged entrance for the First Class Lounge and the Sakura Lounge, I was greeted by the lounge staff at the reception. After taking and scanning my boarding pass to the lounge, I was invited to use the First Class Lounge due to my oneworld status. After inquiring, I was told that I was also welcome to use the Sakura Lounge anytime. Despite flying in Economy Class, I had access to the lounge thanks to my oneworld Emerald status.

From the reception, the Sakura Lounge is located on the right. There will be a pair of escalators that lead downstairs to the main portion of the lounge. Alternatively, there is also a glass door that goes straight to The Dining, the aptly-named dedicated dining area of the Sakura Lounge. I will expand on this later in this review.

Lounge Area

Being Japan Airlines’ flagship Business Class lounge, it is no surprise to see how huge it is. In fact, huge might even be an understatement. In particular, the JAL Sakura Lounge Narita is spread between two floors, the lower one being where most of the lounge’s seating and facilities are. It is further subdivided into two areas, which I’ll simply refer to as the first and second seating areas in this review.

First seating area

The first seating area stretches lengthwise from the escalator landing. Most of the seats towards the front of this section consist of leather sofa chairs and sofas facing each other. By design of the seating arrangement and the slight narrowness of the corridor, this is perhaps the most intimate seating area in the lounge. In addition, there is also a row of counter seats along the window. Power outlets are available on the side consoles and on the counters by the window.

Towards the end, the narrow corridor widens into a much larger space, with more a lot more seats. In addition to the tightly arranged counter seats by the window, there are also rows and rows of armchairs facing each other. Some of these armchairs are separated with a console table, where you’d find a pair of the Japanese Type A power outlets.

Running along the interior wall are also high backed banquette bench seats, each with a table and a complementary leather dining chair across it. Power outlets are available under the benches. There is also a smoking room at the far end of this space, next to the business centre.

Refreshments

Expectedly, this area has a small refreshments area with a handful of packaged snacks, candies, and pastries. There is also a complete selection of alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks. This includes two red wines and two white wines, Kirin Ichibanbori Beer, and a large choice of liquor and liqueurs. Of course, a soft drinks dispenser typical of Japanese airport lounges and a espresso machine are both available.

In terms of hard liquor and liqueurs, the lounge offers a decent variety of Japanese and Western options. To be specific, there are three kinds of sake, as well as a Suntory plum wine. There are also four whiskies (Jack Daniels Old No. 7, Ballantines 12 Years, Chivas Regal 12 Years, Tomatin 12 Years), as well as a bottle each of Tanqueray Gin, Camus Cognac, and Smirnoff Vodka. In terms of liqueurs, on offer were Campari Bitters, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Lejay Cassis, and Cinzano Vermouth.

Second seating area

There is an even larger seating area located to the left of the escalator landing. The seating area starts after passing by the supplementary reception table and the grand spiral staircase leading to The Dining. At first, most of the seats consists of swivelling leather armchairs, arranged facing each other. Each pair is separated by a console table, on which you’ll find a pair of power outlets.

The choice of seating becomes a lot more uniform towards the centre of the area, close to the refreshments station. Virtually all of the seats here consists of padded armchairs arranged in tight rows facing each other. Given the look and lack of power outlets, I believe these seats were added in hindsight, to dramatically increase the capacity of the lounge.

Furthermore, there is a single long communal table in this area, with a power outlet for each seat. This table lies right in fron of the refreshment and beverage station. Since the selection of refreshments is identical to the first seating area, I won’t be elaborating more on it.

Finally, there are also a bunch of sofa chairs near the back of this area, alongside a number of high-top bar seating. Despite the bar seating, there isn’t actually a manned bar at the lounge, unfortunately. Despite that, given the selection of self-poured liquor, you could easily make your own drinks given the will.

Cosy seating area

The seats progressively gets more intimate as you reach the far end of the lounge. Thanks to the warm wooden tones of the walls and the furniture as well as the partitions, the seats here feel a lot cosier and private, with a library-like ambiance. Again, most seats in this area thankfully have easy access to power outlets, either next to or under the seat.

Amenities

Business centre

A dedicated business centre is available at the far end of the first seating area. Within it are five work booths, along with a printer and photocopying and fax facility.

Cloakroom

Just behind the escalators from the reception is the cloakroom, which is the Sakura Lounge’s storage and locker space facility. Most lockers are operated with a key, although there are a few which are pin-code operated. Each locker comfortably fits a cabin-sized carry-on and/or a winter jacket. There are 45 lockers available at the JAL Sakura Lounge Narita.

Massage

Like any international JAL Sakura Lounge, the Narita lounge also has a massage chair facility. Located just before the shower area, the massage facility features five massage chairs partitioned by semi-sheer blinds. These massage chairs are free to use. Note that eating and drinking is prohibited in this area.

Nursery

A dedicated nursery and kids-friendly area is available near the escalator landing from the lounge reception. Notably, there aren’t any special amenities in the room apart from the bright coloured furniture and a changing table

Phone booth

As is widely the case in Japan, making telephone calls in indoor spaces is frowned upon. Instead, such calls are expected to be taken in enclosed telephone booths, which limit the amount of noise coming into the lounge. This expectation is explicitly written on signs placed all over the lounge. The JAL Sakura Lounge Narita has several phone booths spread around the lounge. The first few are located near the escalator landing, complemented by a few more in the second seating area. Power outlets are available in these booths.

Showers

The JAL Sakura Lounge has a shower facility located under the staircase leading to The Dining. To request a shower, you can use the JAL Lounge+ app used to order food or approach the shower counter. After making a request, the app will show a shower queue and notify you when one is ready. Once you are notified, head to the shower reception to get the keycard to your shower suite.

In addition to the shower stall, each room features a built-in toilet with a bidet and a dedicated bench big enough for a carry-on bag. Furthermore, a hairdryer and two clothes hangers are also provided in the shower room. I’ll also note that toiletries like toothbrushes and hair combs are available but have to be requested at the reception desk.

The shower stall itself is composed of a rain shower and shower jets, in addition to a handheld shower. I found the temperature to be good, with a nice water pressure. The bath amenities are from Predia Fango, which is decent enough.

Sleeping rooms

The pair of sleeping rooms are likely the lounge’s most secretive amenity since it is not advertised anywhere. Located by the shower reception, these rooms can be reserved in a two-hour block, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each room sleeps just one person, featuring a small single bed and a sofa chair. There is also a sink, along with a closet in the sleeping room. Although it is basic, it is better than nothing.

Toilet

A pair of toilets are available on the second floor of the JAL Sakura Lounge. The first is located near the escalator landing, followed by another behind the staircase to The Dining. As expected from Japan Airlines, the toilets were kept very clean at all times.

The toilet cubicles themselves are private and feature a complete set of toilet paper rolls, sanitisers, and disposable seat covers. Better yet, I also appreciated the fact that the toilet cubicles feature heated Toto Neorest smart toilet seats, which I am particularly fond of.

WiFi

The JAL Sakura Lounge has its own WiFi network (‘jal’) separate from the rest of the terminal. There is no password for the network and the connection was fast. Connecting to this network is also essential to make mobile food orders for JAL’s Table in The Dining, as I’ll explain shortly.

The Dining

Located one floor up from the main lounge is The Dining, which is the Sakura Lounge’s dedicated dining facility. It is here where you’d find heavier selections of food, alongside tables dedicated to dining. Immediately up the spiral stairs, you’d find many counter seats by the window alongside four communal tables, each seating eight.

There are also individual tables scattered in this area and along the interior walls. Most of these tables are arranged close and tight to each other, seating just two people.

Interestingly, there is a second dining area partitioned behind a wall with a sign for ‘The Dining’. While the seating arrangement remains identical, this area feels a bit cosier and more elegant than the first dining area. In particular, there are three communal tables, each seating twelve. Running along the interior wall are also counter seats, complemented by individual tables at each end of this area.

Food

It in itself is composed chiefly of a counter service in which food is prepared and picked up after ordering. In The Dining, there are two food counters, one being a mobile order station. With the latter, you can pick up your food after ordering on the JAL Lounge+ app. Since the app will notify you when your food is ready, this area is consistently quieter compared to the other counter. To note, the selection is identical at both stations.

The dishes on offer consists of cooked elements which are plated by the staff. You might notice that a lot of the choices are identical to those available at Tsuruya, the restaurant in the JAL First Class Lounge. Hence, it is no surprise that the food was easily restaurant-quality and very delicious. I’ll also note that there is a small selection of high quality pastries across from the main dining counter.

Drinks

Non-Alcoholic

The dedicated beverage station in The Dining has an identical selection to those available next in the main lounge. For soft drinks, the lounge has a Coca-Cola-branded soft drink dispenser. To be specific, the drink dispenser features various options like Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Calpis, Calpis Soda, Ayataka Green Tea, Canada Dry Ginger Ale, Minute Maid Orange and Lemon, and Georgia Iced Coffee. It also dispenses mineral and sparkling water. Expectedly, there is also a selection of Western and Japanese teas and a coffee machine brewing espresso-based drinks. In addition, there are also bottles of tonic water and pitchers of cold tea, cold-brew coffee, juice, and milk in the chiller.

Alcoholic

Beer dispensers are available throughout the lounge, which during my visit dispensed Kirin Ichibanbori. Again, there is also a selection of two white wines and two red wines. Champagne is not available. In place of this is Richland Brut Cuvee Chardonnay Pinot Noir, an Australian sparkling wine. This is the same sparkling wine served at the JAL Sakura Lounges in Haneda.

Overall

Overall, I found the JAL Sakura Lounge in Narita to be a top-tier Business Class lounge. Despite the older design, the lounge had a timeless charm to it, exuding an aura of warmth and comfort. Thanks to the high-quality food in The Dining and the myriad of facilities, it was a no-brainer to give this lounge a perfect rating. Given Narita’s lower yield traffic, I also found this lounge to be a bit less crowded than its Haneda counterparts. As such, I have no qualms in considering this Narita Airport’s best Business Class lounge.

Read more from this trip here!