Japan Master Thread

[shmuels2]

I'm planning a trip to Japan and I seem to remember a a great DDMS TR from a couple years back but can't find it now. Am I remembering correctly and was it taken down?

There was talk of a private dinner with exotic fruits, IIRC

[yungermanchik]

I'm planning a trip to Japan and I seem to remember a a great DDMS TR from a couple years back but can't find it now. Am I remembering correctly and was it taken down?

https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/trip-notes/united-island-hopper-trip-notes-part-4-tokyo-japan/

[shmuels2]

https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/trip-notes/united-island-hopper-trip-notes-part-4-tokyo-japan/

Nope, that's not it

[Yo ssi]

Nope, that's not it

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=132910.0

This?

[ffly45]

Do hotels in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka) allow second guest check-ins with FNC (like the ones sold here)?

[tavster]

GH in a much better location.

Grand Hyatt Tokyo

I was able to apply at SUA on a 35k booking.
The Executive Suite retails for $2110, so that's 6cpp 

[shmuels2]

Does anyone know if you retrieve checked bags/clear customs when transiting HND to another airport in Japan? Route is JAL ORD-HND-ITN

[SSLPhD]

Does anyone know if you retrieve checked bags/clear customs when transiting HND to another airport in Japan? Route is JAL ORD-HND-ITN

No first-hand experience with this arrangement, but the answer is generally yes.  You clear customs at entry.  ITN is a domestic airport, and would not have customs.

[SSLPhD]

Anyone ever stay at the Smile hotel listed on Chabad of Japan's website?

[ReadsTheT&C]

Anyone ever stay at the Smile hotel listed on Chabad of Japan's website?

Yes. It's a small Japanese style business hotel. The price is certainly right. They will give you a sheet of paper when you walk in with how they can accommodate Sabbath-observant guests.

[tavster]

Geeky question
If I book the Shinkansen btw Tokyo and Kyoto over 30 days out through smartEX and request a seat with extra luggage.

When the system does the allocation 30 days before the trip, will it automatically give me a seat with extra space?

Seeing contradicting DPs

[shmuels2]

Hi everyone, I'm planning a 7–10 day trip to Japan within the next year and am hoping to experience some top-notch First Class products along the way. So far the only F product I've tried is LH in the A380. Here's what I have so far:

I've booked ANA F from ORD to Tokyo for next November, with a throwaway return leg currently in Y to round out the RT. Most ORD flights in the next 5 months show ANA's new First ("The Suite"), but beyond that is currently showing the older product. I'm hopeful this will be updated as we get closer to departure.

For the return, I was aiming for JAL's A350 First via CX or AA, but I haven’t been able to find availability for two seats, even looking a full year out.

My main question: For those who have tried both ANA and JAL First, is it worth the effort to hunt down JAL F availability, or should I just stick with ANA F round-trip if I can find it and keep things simpler? The latter would involve a preemptive transfer of another 100k points to ANA, so I want to make sure it’s the right move before pulling the trigger. When I first booked a couple of weeks ago there was plenty of 2F a year out round trip, does not seem to be quite so much now. Maybe because getting closer to business December travel season, or maybe because of recent equipment changes?

Also, any thoughts on the likelihood of equipment change on those ORD routes as we near?

Lastly, would you even consider Singapore Airlines NRT-LAX as a viable alternative to either Japanese carrier for the return?

Appreciate any advice or tips! Thanks in advance.

(Apologies if this belongs in up in the air, wasn't sure)