Once you pass through security and passport control, your impression of Haneda Airport's Terminal 3 will change to a glamorous atmosphere reminiscent of a department store. Among the rows of famous high-end brand stores and duty-free shops, you'll find the entrance to the Sakura Lounge near Gate 114.
Spanning two floors, it is one of the largest airport lounges in Japan.
Take the escalator up to the 4th floor. Previously, the Sakura Lounge was only on the 5th floor, but it has now been expanded to the 4th floor. With a combined total of 782 seats on both floors, it is now one of the largest airport lounges in Japan.
Guests are greeted by the large JAL logo, commonly known as the "Tsurumaru." With a diameter of 90cm, it is an imposing symbol that represents the current "flagship" of Sakura Lounges around the world.
Ohno: "The wooden lattice design that decorates the sides is a feature used in many JAL lounges both in Japan and overseas. It's a touch that we hope will reassure Japanese customers in JAL lounges overseas that they're "home."
These are the words of Shigeho Ohno of JAL's Customer Experience Department, who was in charge of the Sakura Lounge project. The Sakura Lounge is characterised by the incorporation of small touches like these.
For example, in the corridor extending to the right from the reception, a tile wall is lined with a collage of soft sandstone and dignified granite with its rough shadows. The rough granite is recessed slightly, not only for design reasons, but also to prevent the wall from being scratched by customers' baggage.
By the way, the long corridor that stretches out into the back gives off a sense of excitement as the lounge unfolds ahead. Now, let me show you inside.
"The Dining" features JAL original interior design
Beyond the corridor is a chic, spacious space surrounded by panoramic windows offering a full view of the runway. Everywhere you look, the space is designed to help you make the most of your time before your flight.
The entire lounge is divided into two parts from the reception desk, but they are connected at the back, allowing passengers to move around in a circular flow. The Dining area is close to the food and drink counters, making it the perfect place to enjoy a meal. Some tables have two-dimensional barcodes attached, allowing for mobile ordering. You can order your meal without having to wait in line, even when it's crowded.
The space is reminiscent of a terrace, and is covered with carpet that looks like grass and tiles that look like cobblestones. Tables are basically for two people, but tables can be joined together to allow groups to enjoy meals together.
Ohno: "These chairs and tables are original designs for Sakura Lounge. They incorporate modern Japanese design elements and we made many prototypes with durability and ease of use in mind."
Even the walls themselves can have a variety of different impressions. A chic marble-clad wall or a collage of wood with different tones and grains will give you a sense of depth, like a forest.
Enjoy a made-to-order meal service in collaboration with food professionals
Meals are served at two counters in the center. The main dishes are made to order, so they are beautifully presented and served fresh. Compared to the traditional buffet style, this is not only more hygienic, but also helps reduce food waste.
The bar counter-like drink corner is decorated with a photo of the Douglas DC-8, a plane once used by JAL. The drink display was supervised by table coordinator Yukiko Yamamoto. In addition to soft drinks, there is also a wide selection of alcoholic beverages.
The wine dispensers installed in the Sakura Lounge since the COVID-19 outbreak have been specially painted black to match the atmosphere of the Sakura Lounge. The wines were selected by wine taster Motohiro Okoshi, who is also in charge of the wines served with in-flight meals. The sake was selected by the renowned Hasegawa Sake Shop.
Ohno: "The table coordination, using black and white wood-like fixtures, is a unified design in all Sakura Lounges. This small commonality is what we want to convey to our customers who are accustomed to using the lounges, to feel as comfortable as if they were coming home."
Next to the food counter is the bread case, which is regularly replenished with Maison Kayser bread.
All of these meals and drinks are provided free of charge, so why not order now?
JAL's special original beef curry is a popular staple menu item with a rich flavor and a deep spice flavor. You can also choose from a wide variety of other items, such as pasta, Japanese set meals, and salads.
Numerous pieces of art will enrich your time before departure.
The Sakura Lounge has a "room to room" concept, with each space designed to be different. Guests who want to work or relax can head to the lounge area. There are plenty of power outlets and USB ports around the seats, which are designed to ensure privacy.
As you walk through the lounge, you will notice various art pieces installed. You can spend your time enjoying art in the Sakura Lounge.
The first thing that catches your eye is the painting on the left side of the reception desk. This gorgeous drawing of a weeping cherry tree, lavishly covered in gold leaf, is by artist Mariko Hayashi.
Among the many pieces of art inside the lounge, the stone object placed in the center is perhaps the most eye-catching. It is a work that combines natural stone and glass and is polished to a beautiful finish like a jewel. By using stone, a natural material, and glass, an artificial material, it expresses the symbiosis of the two while making the most of each other. It is a work by glass artist Taku Iwasaka.
Ohno: "I traveled all the way to Toyama, where the artists' studios are located, to select the pieces. Some were made especially for Sakura Lounge. Because they are located in the center of the lounge, we paid special attention to the display stand and placement so that the appearance changes depending on how the light hits them and the angle from which they are viewed."
There is a wide variety of other art on display, including an installation that is a collage of rice scoops from all over Japan, and wall art made from eggshells, all of which are sustainably created by Japanese artists.
A digital installation using a projector expresses natural elements such as the swaying of trees and sunlight filtering through the leaves.
Massage in the shower booth. Latest facilities and ease of use.
You are welcome to spend your time however you wish, but we also pride ourselves on the ease of use provided by our diverse facilities.
There are nine shower booths across two areas, all of which can be reserved via smartphone. They are always kept clean so that you can use them comfortably before boarding.
If you want to soothe your fatigue, please visit the massage room. The lighting is dimmed, and the relaxation space is separated by partitions, and there are four massage chairs.
In addition, the lounge also provides all the basic facilities required for a lounge, such as a smoking area, changing rooms, and lockers.
Ohno: "The tables in the phone booths are two-tiered. We've put a lot of thought into the little details so that you can use them comfortably, whether you're sitting or standing, in terms of height and power outlets."
It's been three years since we last opened. Please allow yourself plenty of time when you visit.
This new Sakura Lounge was originally scheduled to open in the summer of 2020, but was postponed due to the spread of COVID-19. After about three years, it is finally ready to welcome guests.
If you are departing from Haneda Airport's Terminal 3 for an international flight, please arrive a little early and enjoy our new Sakura Lounge, where you can enjoy art, a meal, work or just a feast for all your senses.
Haneda Airport International JAL Sakura Lounge
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
