Review | The Brilliant Japan Airlines First Class Lounge Tokyo Haneda

On the back of my recent review of Japan Airlines’ brand-new A350-1000 Business Class, I’ve finally gotten the time to write this article, where I visited the absolutely spectacular JAL First Class Lounge at Tokyo Haneda Terminal 3 prior to my departure to London.

The lounge is a brilliant space, but based on the lengthy 3+ hours I’ve spent here, I’d reckon many don’t actually know that certain spaces in the lounge exist, which is pretty surprising. Hence, I’m here to ensure that for those of you who managed to gain access to this lounge, you won’t miss out.

Lounge Location

The JAL First Class Lounge is located in Terminal 3, within the post-departure area after you clear security and immigration. Once you’re airside, head in the direction of the central concourse and look for signage pointing you towards the JAL lounges.

The easiest reference point is Gate 112. You’ll find escalators and lifts around that area that take you up to the lounge complex. The JAL First Class Lounge sits on the upper levels, and yes, it actually spans two floors, which is the key detail most people forget.

It opens from 5.30am and typically runs until the last departures of the night, which in practice means it stays open well past midnight. It’s also worth noting that the JAL Sakura Lounge sits further away, so if you’re following signs for the Sakura Lounge, you’re probably walking past the turning you actually want.

Lounge Entry Requirements

As per Oneworld norms, access to the JAL First Class Lounge is granted to Oneworld Emerald frequent flyers.

I was able to obtain access given that I was an Enrich Platinum member, despite flying on Business Class. Fellow Malaysians travelling out of Tokyo Haneda Terminal 3 and holding Oneworld Emerald status should most definitely visit the JAL First Class Lounge and not the JAL Sakura Lounge, which is primarily for Business Class and Oneworld Sapphire members.

Of course, it goes without saying that those flying on First Class on JAL and other Oneworld airlines will have access here as well.

Lounge Space

Upon entering the lounge, you’ll be welcomed with architecture showcasing true Japanese hospitality and elegance. Japan does lounges differently.

Even before you get to the food, the mood is already set with warm lighting, subtle textures, and a layout that feels intentionally segmented rather than one giant hall of chairs.

Start with JAL’s Table Dining Area, which is the most obvious “main” zone. This is where most travellers naturally gravitate to because it looks like the heart of the lounge.

You’ll see plenty of seating clustered around the dining space, quick turnaround traffic, and a general sense of movement. If you’re visiting during peak bank times, this area can feel busy, simply because it’s where everyone ends up by default.

Then you’ve got the RED Lounge and shoeshine centre zone, which is where the lounge starts to show its personality.

It’s not just seating and food. The vibe shifts into something more playful and premium, almost like JAL tried to build a space where you can actually kill time properly rather than just wait for your boarding call.

The shoeshine service is a classic touch, and the RED Lounge concept adds a bit of character that you don’t typically get in most Asian carrier lounges, which often take themselves a bit too seriously.

There is also a cozy Champagne bar located within the RED Lounge itself.

On the other end, you’ll find Sushi Tsurutei, which in my opinion is the most “first class” part of the first floor. This area feels calmer and more intentional, with a stronger emphasis on made-to-order dining rather than buffet grazing.

It’s also the part of the lounge that most people somehow miss, either because they assume it’s private, closed, or just do not walk far enough to discover it.

Crucially, the JAL First Class Lounge actually has a second floor, and I’d wholeheartedly recommend everyone to spend most of their time here, because it was truly a spectacular space.

While the first floor was bustling with travellers, I was genuinely surprised to find the second floor mostly empty, despite the availability of a full-service bar with a bartender and barista for coffee.

This upstairs area is commonly referred to as JAL’s Salon, and it feels like a completely different lounge. The lighting is softer, the seating is more lounge-like, and the entire floor has that calm, premium hush that you would expect when you read the words “First Class Lounge” in the first place.

The service here also feels more personal because staff are less stretched, and you can actually enjoy the space without constantly hearing luggage wheels rattling behind you.

If you’ve ever visited a great first class lounge and thought, this is what it should feel like, the Salon is that. It’s not trying to impress you with gimmicks. It’s simply a well-executed premium space with the best asset any lounge can have: peace.

Food and Beverage

The food at the JAL First Class Lounge was great, but not spectacular, and I’d say this is one of the major weaknesses when compared to the likes of The Pier First in Hong Kong.

You’ll find a solid range of Japanese comfort staples that do the job well. Sushi is available, including made-to-order options in the Sushi Tsurutei area, alongside classics like Japanese curry, teishoku-style set meals, and other familiar hot items you’d expect in a flagship Japanese lounge.

Everything is very competent and very “Japan”, but it’s also very normal. It’s the kind of food you could happily eat at a decent mid-tier restaurant in Tokyo. It doesn’t quite have that fine dining edge that you’d associate with a true first class ground experience, especially if you’re the type who’s been spoiled by lounges that treat dining like a proper restaurant.

No Acqua Panna or San Pellegrino! Blashemy!

To be clear, you won’t walk away hungry, and the quality is good. But if you arrive expecting a theatrical, ultra-premium dining experience purely because the lounge says “First Class”, you’ll probably find the food slightly underwhelming.

However, the real F and B gem in the JAL First Class Lounge is in the JAL Salon on the second floor.

This is where the lounge suddenly becomes dangerous, because it becomes very easy to lose track of time. The JAL hand drip coffee is genuinely excellent. Not “airport lounge good”, but legitimately satisfying coffee that you’d be happy paying for in the city.

There’s also something oddly therapeutic about watching coffee being prepared properly in a quiet space, especially when the rest of the terminal is doing what airports do best, which is stressing everyone out.

I also tried the espresso martini, and it was surprisingly solid.

Sitting upstairs, sipping that, with a view of the runway, with virtually no other travellers around, felt like the lounge’s best kept secret. If you’re only spending time downstairs, you’re basically doing the JAL First Class Lounge experience on easy mode, and missing the real ending.

Shower Suites

As expected with a First Class lounge, shower suites are available and are located on the first floor. If there is no attendant at the shower concierge, you may simply approach the reception to obtain the keys to the shower.

The shower rooms themselves are exactly what you’d want before a long-haul flight. Private, clean, properly maintained, and designed to be functional rather than flashy. You’ll typically get a full suite setup with a walk-in shower, sink area, and a toilet within the room, so you can reset properly without rushing.

Water pressure is strong, the temperature is stable, and the overall experience feels efficient in a very Japanese way. Amenities are well thought out, and while this isn’t a spa suite by any means, it absolutely gets the job done for what matters: arriving onto your long-haul flight feeling human again.

Miscellaneous Lounge Services

In addition to the main seating and dining zones, the JAL First Class Lounge is also packed with practical amenities that are easy to overlook.

There are dedicated massage chairs tucked away within the lounge, perfect for loosening up before a long-haul flight, especially if you’ve spent the day walking around Tokyo. A cloak and luggage room is also available, which is particularly useful if you’re travelling with bulky winter coats or cabin bags and want to move around the lounge unencumbered.

For those who still need to get some work done, there’s even a photocopy machine available, reinforcing the idea that this lounge is designed not just for leisure, but also for business travellers who may need to tie up loose ends before departure.

It’s these smaller, functional touches that quietly elevate the lounge experience and make extended stays here genuinely comfortable, rather than feeling like time spent waiting.

Final Thoughts

The JAL First Class Lounge at Tokyo Haneda Terminal 3 is, overall, a fantastic lounge and easily one of the better Oneworld ground experiences in Asia. It nails the fundamentals: space, comfort, cleanliness, and a sense of calm that you actually want before flying.

But the biggest takeaway from my visit is this: the lounge is only as good as the parts you actually use.

If you spend your entire time on the first floor near the dining area, you might walk out thinking, nice lounge, slightly crowded, food is decent, moving on.

If you discover Sushi Tsurutei and then camp upstairs in the JAL Salon, the entire experience becomes something else entirely. Quiet runway views, a proper bar, excellent coffee, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you’re in an airport.

So here’s my advice. If you have Oneworld Emerald access at Haneda, treat this lounge like a two-level game. Walk the full lounge, find the spaces that match your mood, and do not leave without spending time upstairs. Because once you do, you’ll realise the real first class lounge experience was there all along, hiding in plain sight.