Japan TR (include JL & CX F review)

[boomy]

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!

Thanks, you are very kind.
I never know who actually read these TRs so it's always nice to get a positive comment.

 

[LadyC]

Thanks for the TR - i have really enjoyed it

 

[snabbu]

Ahh those Japanese whiskies are just so refined and smooth. Looking forward to spending a bit of time there in June (albeit only a couple of 23 hour transits).

What an awesome trip boomy. Loved riding along with you through the report.

 

[drron]

Fantastic TR boomy.We also love Japan and this TR makes us think we should go back to some ares we haven't seen for a while.

 

[kezzakawasaki]

Fantastic TR!!! We will be in Japan later this month for 16 days - visiting Kyoto, Hiroshima, Fukui, Kanazawa, Takayama, Kamikochi, Matsumoto and Tokyo. We are also taking CX F from HND to HKG on the way home, I was glad to hear that CX recommends the JAL First Lounge, although the new CX lounge looks very nice too.

 

[boomy]

Ahh those Japanese whiskies are just so refined and smooth. Looking forward to spending a bit of time there in June (albeit only a couple of 23 hour transits).

That's plenty of time to enjoy some fine Hibiki 17 yr in the lounge.
If you are looking to buy a bottle just make sure to do it on the city. For some reason all DF shops in NRT T2 were completely sold out of any Japanese whisky over 12 yr.

 

[boomy]

Fantastic TR!!! We will be in Japan later this month for 16 days - visiting Kyoto, Hiroshima, Fukui, Kanazawa, Takayama, Kamikochi, Matsumoto and Tokyo. We are also taking CX F from HND to HKG on the way home, I was glad to hear that CX recommends the JAL First Lounge, although the new CX lounge looks very nice too.

Sounds like a good trip, enjoy!
In case the Red Suite in JL Flounge is not open when you go there (they usually open it for F pax before JL flights), look for one of the staff members, show them your F BPs and ask if you can take a tour inside. They will let you in and if you're lucky you'll have the whole place (plus the booze) to yourself.

 

[romney]

I have just read your whole TR in one sitting - great job Boomy! All the photos really make it!

Japan has never really figured in my thoughts when I have been choosing where to travel but lately it has started to interest me. After reading this I am really keen to fit it in sometime in the next year or two. I also haven't eaten a lot of Japanese food, but now the food is one of the biggest attractions! Will have to head to a local restaurant and be a bit more adventurous than I have been in the past.

 

[boomy]

I have just read your whole TR in one sitting - great job Boomy! All the photos really make it!

Thanks, I'm glad you've enjoyed it.

Japan has never really figured in my thoughts when I have been choosing where to travel but lately it has started to interest me. After reading this I am really keen to fit it in sometime in the next year or two. I also haven't eaten a lot of Japanese food, but now the food is one of the biggest attractions! Will have to head to a local restaurant and be a bit more adventurous than I have been in the past.

I think you should go, it's totally different from any other Asian country.
My parents are currently traveling in Japan and they enjoy only European style food. After a bad experience traveling in China last year where they mostly ate rice and veggies, they were very worried they won't find anything to their taste in Japan either. The advice I gave them is to focus on the meat. IMO the Japanese have some of the best beef in the world and outside of Tokyo it can be enjoyed at a reasonable price.

 

[legroom]

.
I never know who actually read these TRs so it's always nice to get a positive comment.

Many just leave positive FBs as a way of thanking and appreciating the report.

Done my obligatory Cherry Blossoms, XMas trips

Looking forward to my first Autumn Leaves trip in early Nov

No F cabin on the JL flights available to us in Nov but ... still a WP so Flounge access is on the card again

Now, as you asked, it is a very pleasant TR !

 

[love_the_life]

It made a great read - pity F is no longer available as I decided it might be worth a trip.
Thanks for posting and all the pics - love to see the food and other 'goodies'.

 

[boomy]

It made a great read - pity F is no longer available as I decided it might be worth a trip.
Thanks for posting and all the pics - love to see the food and other 'goodies'.

Hopefully JL will bring F back next summer.

 

[Julesmac]

Thanks boomy​ what a fabulous TR. Loved all the food photos (does that make it seem all us FF'ers are focussed on food and drink?) and it's whetted my appetite for sake! Scenery looks wonderful, you had an amzing trip and thanks so much for sharing

 

[TomVexille]

Hopefully JL will bring F back next summer.

Might have to jump if they do

 

[coolkid101]

yeah we were really hoping to get JL F for our Jap trip at the end of the year... ended up going on QF J 747 which appears to be the non-refurb ones (happy to be corrected here) oh well. maybe last chance to fly the 747

Might have to jump if they do

 

[Bali Belly]

Qantas lounge
It was still early for all the QF flights so not many people in the lounge.
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The caramel cheesecake was delicious.
I found it interesting that when I visited earlier this year as P1 flying QF I was treated like VIP but this time I was completely ignored. Although I didn't have my QF status written on the BP, we were still flying OW F and the lounge was almost empty. It's not a whinge, just wanted to point out an interesting observation.

As a normal plebe I was treated beyond my wildest imagination as I was early I found the staff to be not invasive but tentative to my empty plate and glass

 

[clazman]

Concur the cheesecake was awesome

Showers



Reception



Over looking the gates

 

[sjd]

Great TR, thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

[grussellt]

Take a bow, boomy, that's a most professional and enjoyable trip report. After years of full English/American/Irish breakfasts I am convinced that a Japanese breakfast is a great start to the day. Miso soup is indeed a great accompaniment but I noticed a lot of the locals (in the JAL/AA J lounge) prefer beer for breakfast!

 

[boomy]

Thanks for the kind words grussellt.
Indeed Japanese breakfast is a great start to the day and since many locals don't fancy coffee I guess they prefer drinking beer to wake up