834 must be the SGN flight. But T2 international is currently not in use, so all international flights are to and from T3. Should T2 international come back in to operations, the transfer will be airside.

Thanks, that's what I figured as well, although I couldn't find definitive times on JAL or HND websites.

The problem is according to AMEX/JAL there are no other flights to be rebooked on at the moment, the only option is to cancel for a refund and rebook both sides of the round trip ticket (at great expense as I booked these many months ago). I am leaning towards taking the chance for now.

I’m flying JFK-HND (JL 5) and HND-SIN (SQ 635) on separate tickets next week. I’ve got about a 5 hour layover and have my QR codes through the Visit Japan website. Is it worth me going through customs/immigration (admittedly I want to get a passport stamp) or could I stay airside since I’ll have my onward boarding pass and no checked luggage?

You can stay air side if you want to.

Visitors to japan, you get an entry sticker with qr code (and i think they still do an exit stamp, not quite sure).

Not sure if that's novelty enough for you


https://www.iace-usa.com/en/jrpass/qualification

Website said QR codes let you use e-gates so I assumed there’d be no stamp - thank you for clarifying!

you talking about th customs qr code? Customs is for declaring goods (and it's after immigration)

https://www.customs.go.jp/english/passenger/egate.htm

Narita Sakura lounge access
 

Hope somebody can help. Transiting (International) through Narita on JAl Feb 1/23. Will be in Terminal 2. Can I access the Sakura Lounge while staying airside? As in not having to "enter' japan? Appreciate any advise.

That as it may, I just think it should be a more efficient process. Those who are connecting should deplane first due to tight schedule. This time I decided to deplane right away. They had a bunch of airport staff holding scanners asking people for their QR codes. Needless to say some folks can't find their codes (lack of wifi, or whatever) and that created a long line in the jet bridge and beyond etc. I just told them I am connecting and they let me through.

Airside transit without entering Japan is possible.
Sakura Lounge access depends on your class of travel, airline status etc.

Thanks for the reply! Travelling business class. Have access privilege, just concerned I could access lounge without going through security/customs etc...

Transit channel means you avoid customs and immigration. There might be a security screening. Not sure if that applies to passengers arriving from US airports. Once in the departures area, you can access the airline lounges.

Thanks! Will be arriving from Vancouver Canada. Great to hear there is a Transit Channel. No problem with going through security, just didn't want to have to "enter Japan", unless I chose to, just to access lounge. Could possibly decide to enter Japan as have 12 hr layover, just researching all options.

Hi, I hope I’m in the right place! I’m about to get FF tickets on United/Star Alliance returning to EWR from Osaka (HND) for fall 2023. I’m unsure whether to get tickets transiting through Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND). I have a choice of 3 flights, with 2 flights having 2+hour layovers and 1 having a 3+ hour layover. Not sure how easy it is to go from domestic to international in either of these airports and whether 2+ hours is enough.

So, which of the following 3 flights would you recommend:

1) ANA/United: ITM>HND>EWR, dep ITM @ 3pm, 2hr 10 min layover at HND, then nonstop flight to EWR in United Polaris

2) ANA/United: ITM>HND>EWR, dep ITM @ 2pm, 3hr 10 min layover at HND, then nonstop flight to EWR in United Polaris (same international flight as above )

3) ANA/United: ITM>NRT>EWR, dep ITM @ 2pm, 2hr 10 min layover at NRT, then nonstop flight to EWR in United Polaris

Narita is easier as domestic and international is in the same terminal. But as the luggage will be transferred it is in both cases a reasonable smooth and simple transfer. HND does have inter terminal busses from airside domestic to the international terminal. But you'd still need security and immigration check at the international terminal.