TA

Hi all -- I have a connecting ticket with UA/ANA (USA-NRT-Asia) on a future date, and am planning to throw away the 2nd half and stay in Tokyo. The pricing is just really good, but only if you buy the Asia onward portion.

My question is, could I arrive at NRT, go through the motions of the connecting transit so I can use the ANA lounge prior to my next intl flight and get some late dinner, but then exit through immigration and arrivals? Is there a path / flow to do this?

I know I could just arrive and exit, but if I could stop at the lounge and eat before taking the long ride to Tokyo and late night hotel arrival that would be nice. But I want to know if it causes exceptions / special handling problems (like at HKG where depatures is isolated from exiting) to try this.

Thanks!

CPH-Flyer

Departures are complete separated from arrivals, once you go through to transit (no security check from US flights any longer) you would need staff members to escort you back to immigration.

It is the ANA lounge we are talking about, on a good day the food may be 7-11 level. Get a bento box from 7-11 before boarding the train and you will likely get better food. Don't waste your time and effort for dinner in the lounge.

TA

Thanks, that's very helpful to know.

If I persisted in doing it though, would it cause problems, or just a delay to my own time in finding the right staff person to get me through the "wrong' passenger flow?

tide

I have done this before albeit several years ago. I just made my way back to the security checkpoint and told them I wanted to go to immigration. They then let me pass back into the non-sterile area. IIRC there are 3 security checkpoints: 50s gates, 40s gates and near the United Club.

roberto99

Agreed.

An evening in Tokyo is way better than any NH lounge.

IMHO the trip into Tokyo is not that long or painful from NRT.

TA

Ah yes, but for a single traveler about to go to hotel, I'm considering it's easier to just divert slightly and go to a familiar (though mediocre) lounge, than to find and navigate a restaurant etc. on my own late at night. But I will definitely take your advice into consideration!

mr8

There is an arrival lounge located landslide just outside international arrivals that doubles as a domestic lounge.

The system might grant you access with your onward ticket, but be prepared to be denied since they'll most likely tell you that you need to be back airside for your international flight if they check the destination.

jgchiker

If you are Japanese, they won't really do anything about it as you are going back to your own country. If you are a foreigner, be prepared. If someone suspects you are doing something you are not supposed to do, you might not be able to enter Japan ever again. I wouldn't risk a 7 eleven lunch box for a deported stamped passport.

TA

Well, that's kind of what I want to know. In Singapore, they have those rules that penalize "improper" use of the departures area without intent to take a flight (lounge abusers, etc), and those kinds of things were reported in the news. But that's in the case the person was not traveling at all and had no intention. In this case, I'm arriving, with onward ticket, and decide not to use it. Is your worst case above an actual risk? Any examples?

Thanks.