FlyerTalk Forums - ANA Award Availability

TL;DR VERSION

ANA award seats are strictly limited in quantity. Unless you have status with the ANA program, there is usually only one first class seat and one business class seat made available per flight.
Awards become available for booking to ANA Mileage Club members 355 days before departure at 9am JST, and almost all First and Business Class award seats get booked within minutes at this time.
- Most partner airlines (e.g. Virgin Atlantic and United) do not allow you to book this early.
- If using ANA miles, you need to fly round-trip, which creates a catch-22 for itineraries starting in North America because there will be no return flight available yet.
After T-355, availability shows up at random times due to other people canceling their reservations. You have to be flexible and search frequently across multiple dates and cities.
If ANA upgrades a route's equipment to a 777-300ER with First Class, it will result in an award seat being available every day on the calendar. Get them while they're hot.
Some flights will show more award availability 2-3 weeks before departure, especially during low seasons.
Useful search tools include ANA's website, United's website, point.me (available to Amex MR cardholders), and seats.aero.