Japan Airlines First Class Lounge, Main Building — Attraction in Narita

This used to be one of my favorite Oneworld lounges. This is sadly no longer the case. The renovation along with other changes has ruined the experience for me. I am mourning the previous setup. Here are some of the things that are vexing me: Partitioning this lounge into two separate spaces on different floors is just a bizarre move. This just creates confusion and inconvenience with passengers. There is no value to the "salon" area...what were they thinking? The larger lounge upstairs is overly bright from aggressive fluorescent lighting. Sadly natural light is limited by net curtains which are probably there to obscure the truly horrible views of flat roofs and buildings. The old First Class lounge had outstanding views which have been surrendered to the expanded business class lounge. The old buffet has gone. Everything must be ordered via a QR code. Worse still you need to download an app then access the QR code. The whole experience was lousy/fiddly. The print size was tiny. The options were extremely limited. Gone are the days when you could have a taste of multiple items or serve the portion size that you want. All gone. All wrecked. I went over to the business class lounge to try to find the missing buffet...that side has fallen victim to the QR code as well. Showers need to be ordered via the app. Not funny. The droids have taken over in the bar area. Wine can only be poured via a screen. Not the sensory First Class experience one might hope for. The one I wanted didn't work. A lady kindly tried to fix it ...in the end we both gave up and I took some of the "English sparkling wine" that was on offer! Ticket changes were not possible. I attempted to adjust the time of another JAL flight but was advised (after an hour) they couldn't do this in the First Class lounge and that I should contact their call center. This was a shocker. JAL needs to address this immediately.

My long awaited return to the Narita JAL First Class lounge was a complete bust. I ended up heading over to the Cathay lounge to get away from the place. I used to do unnatural trips to spend time in this lounge. That won't be happening anymore. JAL lounges need a Cathay Pacific-style overhaul. The staff is very sweet and attentive (this is Japan after all) but the experience is woefully lacking. it is a major downgrade from what we...

First Impressions & Ambience The entrance to the lounge immediately sets the tone: minimalist, serene, and unmistakably Japanese. The space is bathed in natural light, with tasteful décor and a variety of seating zones. Whether you want privacy to work or a cozy spot to unwind, there’s a place for you. The lounge never felt crowded, even during the morning rush, which is a rare treat.

Culinary Experience Food is where this lounge truly shines. The made-to-order sushi counter is a standout-I’ve rarely had fresher sushi in an airport setting. The buffet features JAL’s famous beef curry (believe the hype), delicate Japanese side dishes, and a solid selection of Western options. The à la carte menu is well-curated, and the staff are happy to accommodate special requests. The drink selection is impressive, with premium sake, Japanese whisky, and a respectable wine list.

Amenities & Facilities The shower suites are spotless and well-appointed, stocked with Shiseido amenities and fluffy towels. I appreciated the massage chairs in a quiet corner-perfect for unwinding before a long-haul flight. Power outlets are plentiful, and the Wi-Fi is fast and reliable. There’s a business area with printers and private workspaces, making it easy to catch up on emails.

Service Service is impeccable: attentive without being intrusive, and always delivered with a smile. Staff circulate regularly to clear plates and offer assistance, but never hover.

Final Thoughts Having visited dozens of flagship lounges, I can confidently say the JAL First Class Lounge at Narita holds its own among the world’s best. It combines the warmth of Japanese hospitality with top-tier facilities and cuisine. If you value tranquility, great food, and thoughtful service, this lounge is a must-visit. It’s the perfect prelude to a premium...

Traveling for worked (solo), checked into this first class lounge for the first time. While checking my lounge pass the Reception staff asked if the guy standing 10 feet away from me was my (male) companion and almost proceeded to talk to him until I politely explained I was traveling solo unaccompanied (by a Male) if that’s ok. Then I went upstairs at the dining area. Huge floor, spartan and dated decor. There were 5-6 staff present standing around and the place had only 5% occupancy. I sat down and nobody came so I thought I would just go to the food counter , it was empty and I was puzzled. Then went back to my table and spotted a sticker with a QR quote. I pointed my camera at it and a link forwarded me to App Store to download the lounge app to perhaps order food. After 15-20min could not do it. Staff just stood there and watched me. One of them came close to my table and kept checking behind the cushions for ? Dust for 2-3 times. I waved and then asked her to help me download the app. Suddenly she brought an iPad and told me to order using it. Not sure why she didn’t bring me the iPad 20-25min before while she was checking the cushions. The menu was very very basic - a bowl of plain rice, croissant, some maguro but no explanation what kind, curry rice, miso . I picked what I thought was salmon sushi and miso soup, dumpling. To my shock the salmon was… fake. I read the menu again and the small print said ‘plant base’, I thought it was referring to the rice. The wine and drinks list was subpar compared with other first class lounge. The miso didn’t taste like miso. So, I...