Hello Star folks. Not sure if this is the correct forum to place this question.

I have looked at some of the stickies, etc (blondebombers lounge guide, etc).

I have some specific questions....it will be great if some of you who fly these airports a lot can help:

have an upcoming trip. All trips are booked in Y.
CO segments waitlisted for BusinessFirst U/G.

1. EWR-NRT on CO (4-hr layover at NRT)
At NRT, is there a Star-lounge with some sort of reclining chairs?
Does that lounge have showers?

I will probably get the day room if the above are not available in any lounge.

But, just for info purposes, I would like to know which lounge at NRT, especially for getting some snacks / water, etc.

2. NRT - SIN on SQ-11 (6-hour layover; Staying at transit hotel).

Then, continue to India on AI.

3. On the way back from India (AI), 3.5 hour layover at SIN, then go SIN-NRT on SQ-638 (Y class)

Which lounge in SIN? Mainly looking to just sit down, get some snacks.
Perhaps browse the internet.


then,

4. SIN-NRT on SQ-638 landing NRT at 7:30AM or so (10 hour layover at NRT).

Dont have Japan visa. Will probably be tired after overnight flight in Y.
Again similar lounge question (as # 1 above).
I can still get Dayroom I guess.

I did read a thread that linked me to someone's page about Narita City.
I have never been to Japan. SO, I am debating on getting a visa.
However, Not sure if it will be worth it to go outside NRT, since I will probably be tired and will want to get some sleep;
and also, i will probably have only a few hours to do any outside activity.

Finally, get back NRT-EWR on CO.
This is going to be an interesting and brutal trip if everything is on Y and U/G's dont clear (peak season during X-mas/New Year).

Thanks for all your thoughts. Please do let me know if I should pose these questions elsewhere and not here. Thank you.

In NRT your choices are the RCC and ANA lounges. One of the ANA lounges is likely the best choice as they do have showers and are likely closest to the SQ gates. But the RCC is actually a reasonable choice.

In SIN, you'll have access to either SATS or the KrisGold lounges as a *G. Depends on the terminal. Definitely not as good as SQ's business lounges - these are restricted to business/first flying paxs. Wandering around the terminals can easily gobble up an hour or two - huge.

RCC has better shower amenities.
ANA lounge has better showers and food choices.
Non of the NRT lounges have comfortable "reclining" couches that I've found two weeks ago, maybe others may know.

As far as Narita for 10 hours, depending on the time of the year and availability, Narita airport runs day tours in the morning for a couple of hours to Narita City, some temples, and some shopping area near the airport (i took one of these about 2 years ago) . The price is reasonable but check to see if it is available before getting a transit/visitor's visa. 10 hours in NRT, you might WANT to leave the secure area and browse the Terminal Mall which has a lot of dining and shopping choices...

I wouldn't recommend going out of NRT airport with only 10 hours.

Narita Airport is the middle of nowhere. To get to Central Tokyo, it's about 90minutes+ each way.

Visa Processing: 2/3+ hours, Waiting for departing flight: 1+ hour, Misc: 30
minutes.. Leaving you with about 5 hours.

If you just want to breath Tokyo air and get a lunch at a local shop outside of Narita Airport, then it's OK.

Thank you Jalinth, myperks and gariben for your thoughts.

For an inexpensive day room: in Narita City you can find the "Comfort Hotel Narita" just in front of the train station. It is only 6 min by train from NRT airport and the nice rooms are really good value for about 60 USD (that's what I payed).

Looks like the OP would need to get a transit/visitors' visa before getting to Japan. That would not be 2/3+ hours of processing at the airport (unless Japan processes transit visa onsite, which i'm unaware of and have no knowledge of). Going through customs at NRT should be no more than 30-45 minutes at most, plus OP would not need to wait for checked luggages (i'm assuming).

Definitely don't go into Tokyo City because roundtrip on the fast rail service will take about 3 hours and around $60USD (at least) and hang out near the Shinjuku station.

Definitely check out Narita City if you want to "see" Japan as it is close to the airport and many local buses available on the arrival level. Check out Narita airport's website for bus lines and local tours (as mentioned in previous post) or just stay in the Terminal and hang out in the mall area.

Typing this makes me want to head that way again.... love japan...

Yes, you are right. I do need a transit visa. I am not sure if I want to do it.
However, reading your last paragraph definitely makes me want to get one!! and at least say "i stepped foot in Japan outside of the airport!".
Yes, I wont have any luggage, just my back-pack.

Will keep you posted on what I end up doing. (it will be first week of Jan when I have this 10-hr layover).

ANA lounges at NRT have reclining seats behind some blackout curtains - not a bad place to nap. There are massage chairs too. And showers. Still, I wouldn't want to hole up there for 10 hours ...

If you don't have the time to apply for a visa before your visit, you could still try to get a shore pass. I think it depends on the judgment of the immigration officers on the day.... If you have an onward ticket for 10 hours later and you tell them you want to go to an airport hotel, visit the temple in Narita or something like that, they have the authority to give you a 48 hour pass or something. (They can also choose to tell you "no").

If you do leave the airport, I wouldn't bother with an organized tour. Just take the Keisei line local train to Keisei Narita, walk around the town center, visit the shrine, take the train back. Easy.

Check out the Japan forum sticky for more tips.

Ok great idea on the "shore pass"! Thanks!
I will definitely consider all your ideas. And will read the Japan forum stickies later tonight.

(not that i have full knowledge of japanese visa issues nor do i know for sure...)

but "Shore Pass" for up to 72 hours are granted to visa-required passport holders when requested by airline/crew/airport administration normally during irregular operations. i guess it all still depends on the immigration officer. (had this happen to a friend on non-visa-exempt passport and me on US passport taking a VDB, the airline personnel had to walk with my friend through immigration, although that was also two years ago).

Since the OP is going in jan, there is plenty of time, and transit visa is fairly cheap when completed in the usa. (isn't it only $10 or so?) I would just get it done now.

Thanks myperks. I am stil debating on these issues. Will see if I can get a short-term transit visa before I leave.