Review: JAL Diamond Premier Lounge at Tokyo Haneda

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.

Review: JAL Diamond Premier Lounge at Tokyo Haneda
JAL Diamond Premier Lounge.

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.

JAL Domestic First Class Security at Haneda
Dedicated security check entrance.

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.

JAL Diamond Premier Lounge Haneda Reception
Reception.

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.

JAL Diamond Premier Lounge Haneda Map
Map.
JAL Diamond Premier Lounge Haneda Cloak
Cloak.

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.

JAL Diamond Premier Lounge Haneda Bonsai
Bonsai at the entrance.

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.

JAL Diamond Premier Lounge Haneda Dining Area
Seating in the drinks and snacks area.
JAL Diamond Premier Lounge Haneda Drinks and Snacks Area
Besides tables, there were also counters along the windows.

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.

JAL Diamond Premier Lounge Haneda Seating
Sofas offering a decent amount of privacy.
JAL Diamond Premier Lounge Haneda Seating
Seating in the relaxation part of the lounge.
JAL Diamond Premier Lounge Haneda Power Outlets
Each of the chairs offered access to power.

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.

JAL Diamond Premier Lounge Haneda Workspace
Along the windows, there was a counter.
JAL Diamond Premier Lounge Haneda Phone Booth
Phone booth.
JAL 787 at Tokyo Haneda
Boeing 787 parked right in front of the lounge.

Finally, in the very back of the lounge, there was an area with three massage chairs.

JAL Diamond Premier Lounge Haneda Massage Chair
Massage chairs area.
JAL Diamond Premier Lounge Haneda Massage Chair
Massage chair.

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.”

Service Announcement
A sign explaining the reduced service during my visit.

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.

JAL Diamond Premier Lounge Haneda Beer
Beer.
JAL Diamond Premier Lounge Haneda Soft Drinks
Soft drink dispenser.
JAL Diamond Premier Lounge Haneda Coffee and Tea
Coffee and tea.

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 Haneda Rice Balls
Rice balls.

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.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

Get Your FREE "Four Ways to Try Business Class Without Breaking the Bank" Guide

No, I am not going to tell you how to fly in first class and sip Dom Perignon for free…

But, I am going to introduce you to a couple of ways you can experiment with to try a business class flight without having to spend thousands of dollars.

How Can I Help You?