Japan TR (include JL & CX F review)

[Dalescott]

This was our favourite, park in Tokyo. Very busy on weekends.

 

[love_the_life]

And the cherry blossoms were out - perfect.

 

[boomy]

Hard to believe this park is so close to the busiest train station in the world.

After we ticked the last box on this trip, Sakura in (almost) full bloom, it was time to walk back to our hotel and catch the shuttle to NRT.
First we had to look for place to have lunch.

Found a place serving (very) spicy Ramen Sapporo style with beer to match.

Bach to the hotel with 20 minutes to spare before the shuttle comes we waited upstairs in the exec lounge.


Very nice of them to serve beer (Asahi or Heineken) during afternoon tea hours. I did limit my drinking knowing the high quality booze awaiting soon in the Flounge and later onboard.

 

[boomy]

There was not much traffic going to the airport so we arrived a bit earlier then expected. It meant that we could check out the OW lounges in terminal 2.
JL F check in takes all the right side of section L with four dedicated counters.

They even put small F tags on carry-on luggage, haven't seen that before.
Passing through priority security check.

Minimal queue at passport control and we enter the DF area in no time. After the missus bought some Japanese cosmetics we went to visit the lounges. Starting with CX lounge.

It's similar to most of their lounges outside HKG (exclude the new one in HND), small and simple, nothing interesting inside but still better then waiting for the flight outside in the terminal.

 

[boomy]

Moving on the the QF lounge.
The B747 is being transferred to the gate.

There are no clear directions to the lounge which is located in the lower level of the satellite terminal.

I got the impression of a very sterile lounge. It looks nice, big and specious but somehow the atmosphere inside felt a bit depressing. Maybe because it was so quiet inside.



Two staff members were standing next to the food area looking for something to do. The place was almost empty, it was a still early and I guess anyone with a bit of status anyway goes to JAL.

 

[boomy]

Ok, enough with mediocre lounges, time to enter the JL Flounge.
First thing booking 10 minutes foot massage.

The lounge is a bit busy but not too bad.

A staff member comes to assist us finding place to sit in a more quiet area and offers a locker to store our bags.

Many flights listed on the board and I heard announcements of delays for different destinations, thankfully not to SYD.
The wines on offer.

And the spirits.

 

[boomy]

Sushi bar inside the lounge, that's awesome!

Yum, fresh sushi with shochu to match.


Sake bar with Reidel sake glasses.

Looking outside admiring the JAL fleet.

 

[Rugby]

We did our first Japan trip in January and you've helped motivate me to book the next one So this morning I did my first AA miles purchase and booked JAL business class for Feb next year. Again great report Boomy.

 

[boomy]

NRT-SYD JL771 B777 F
While the missus was enjoying one of the massage chairs in the lounge and I was having another glass of sake someone came to tell us our flight is about to start boarding in 5 minutes. We then headed to the gate and found two rows for J and Y. The FA who checked everyone's BPs immediately moved us to the front, next to J and welcomed us to board first. Usually airlines don't distinguish between F, J and WPs when it comes to PB so it was a nice touch by JL. One of those small things that don't matter much but show attention to details.
Boarding the B777 via two aerobridges.

Same type of cabin like we had on the way over but this one looked better. Hard to see in the photos but the wooden panels on the inbound flights had many scratches and the carpet wasn't in the best condition. Still looked nice but gave the feeling (to me at least) of an old F cabin. It all looks great when it's new, like on this plane. The dark brown colours mix well with the maroon carpet to give a warm yet luxurious feeling.


For some reason the champagne offered pre-takeoff was different then what they had on the menu (same drinks menu as on the inbound flight, can view it on post #17). Told the CSM I'm not falling for this "cheap stuff" and will wait until after takeoff. She laughed and agreed it's a wise decision.
Canapés to start the service.

Ok, this is what I was waiting for.

My name is written all over this bottle, they just don't know it yet

 

[boomy]

JAL has their own celebrity chefs in charge of the menus for each cabin, like chef Yamamoto from the 3* Michelin RyuGin restaurant who designed the menu in F.

Dinner - Western

Dinner - Japanese

A La Carte

Breakfast - choice of Japanese or western.

 

[boomy]

On the inbound flight I chose the Japanese meal so this time went for the Western option.
Amuse Bouche

Caviar

They recommend mixing the caviar with the other ingredients in the bowl but I think it's best enjoyed on it own.
Glass of fine Bordeaux red to go with the main.

Main - Kuroge Wagyu Beef.

This is the dish I was most excited about. Kuroge (Japanese black wagyu) is high quality beef. Cooked to perfection, melting in the mouth, by far the best steak I had in the air.
Moved on to California red from Kenzo Estate, an excellent drop.

I like the fact JL supports Japanese winemakers around the world.

 

[boomy]

First dessert - Assorted cheese selection.

Second dessert - Strawberry & Rose Flan.

Both desserts were nothing special, a bit of a let-down after wonderful meal but the coffee was a highlight. Usually coffee on planes goes from awful (in Y) to not bad (in J) to pretty good (in F). The coffee on JL was cough*ing awesome! There is also an interesting story behind it.

 

[Aeolus]

Unbelievable! I just discovered your TR after all this time. Going to get some wine and cheese and read every single page of your fabulous TR! Thanks for sharing your journey with us

 

[PLANT]

Those beans don't come out of some animals rear end? ie. Bucket list!

 

[boomy]

Unbelievable! I just discovered your TR after all this time. Going to get some wine and cheese and read every single page of your fabulous TR! Thanks for sharing your journey with us

Better late then never
Not much to read I'm afraid, it's mostly photos, like a kids book

 

[boomy]

Those beans don't come out of some animals rear end? ie. Bucket list!

Do you mean Indonesian Kopi Luwak?
Maybe EY serve it in the Residence

 

[TomVexille]

Better late then never
Not much to read I'm afraid, it's mostly photos, like a kids book

The best kind

 

[boomy]

Both CSM and FAs were very cute, providing attentive service always with a smile. One FA was usually walking in the cabin making sure everything is ok and when they both went inside to have dinner (while everyone but me was sleeping) another FA came to replace them, standing silently in the back of the cabin. Once I got up to use the toilet she quickly came to make the bed.
The amenity kit on this flight looked different from the one we got on the flight from SYD. Same Spanish cosmetics company, similar stuff inside but different kit.

The only thing I tried from there was the Jean-Paul Havin chocolate and it was really good.
After all the f&b service and the movie I was watching finished, it was almost midnight. Looking around I noticed everyone else are already sleeping so I also had few hours nap on the super comfortable bed.

Woke up for breakfast 90 minutes before landing. The Japanese meal was a good light option.

Had another coffee, changed to normal clothes, then got ready for landing. The trip was about to end and I just wished this flight would take a bit longer

 

[Aeolus]

Better late then never
Not much to read I'm afraid, it's mostly photos, like a kids book

A picture is worth a thousand words...your TR definitely fulfilled that, plus more.
Makes me want to book a flight to Japan right now, JAL should sponsor your next trip too for all the free publicity!

 

[boomy]

We did our first Japan trip in January and you've helped motivate me to book the next one So this morning I did my first AA miles purchase and booked JAL business class for Feb next year. Again great report Boomy.

Thanks for the kind words.
Where will you go next year? We are thinking about exploring Tohoku region sometime in the next two years.