Just an update. First, our AA flight came in early, we landed at about 430am and clearing immigration/customs was a relative breeze. It's worth noting that the flight attendants on our flight, AA169 were superb. Younger, mostly Japanese, perfect English. They gave me a handwritten letter with my names, thanking me for EXP status and wishing me and my family a great trip in Japan. It was touching. They kept coming directly to me throughout the flight to ask if I needed anything. They were not doing that for others, so they were really honoring my status.

Anyways, back to Haneda, where I am right now. With it raining pretty good, I told my family we should just bus over to T1 and try to get on an earlier flight. I went to the JAL Global check-in which is a private room with four check-in counters and private security. Despite inquiring about numerous earlier flights, the agent (who was spectacularly kind and formal) ultimately said we had non-refundable fares and we had to wait. As we were already near security, I told my wife let's just go through and see about the lounge. I was nervous about the three hour limit, but upon arriving at the lounge check-in, I presented the three tickets and passports as well as the entirely Japanese email reservation I made (mentioned above). They collected the 3000JPY and let us in. This is a good 6-7 horus prior to the flight mind you. While the agent didn't speak Japanese, my basic Japanese language abilities and a little Google translate, she informed me that I could take two of us into the Diamond (Emerald only) room and 1 could go to Sakura. She also confirmed that I could rotate guests and go back and forth. So far I've gone back and forth twice, even brought some baked goods back from Diamond for my wife. We're all able to take showers here as well.

So all in all, this worked out quite well. Sadly, the food is almost non-existent in Sakura and it's a pretty light offering at Diamond, but it was enough to top us off after the breakfast before landing. I did witness a Japanese guy take a beer glass (8-10 ounce) and completely fill it up with Japanese whiskey (to the top) with no ice (neat) at 6am which was impressive to watch. We'll head down to a restaurant airside when they open at 11am. So all in all, this worked out perfectly. We found a private room with comfy chairs with ottomans and are taking power naps.