Response from JAL
Thx for all of your help.
I called JAL, they mentioned their policy is to provide hotel accommodations ONLY if the next outbound flight is the next day. In my particular case, there is one leaving the same day @6pm, therefore I don't qualify (that's probably what made my flight a better price).
JAL can also make hotel reservations for us @ Nikko in Narita. It ends up being around 11500 Yen (w/out breakfast) for twin size beds (this is about $108 USD).