JAL to Tokyo in Y: Ramen, Whale and a Run around the Imperial Palace

[yflyer]

My mistake - it's a massive 15 minutes!

So you have 5 minutes to clear security and dash to your gate. Still amazing!

[jhm]

10 minutes? That would be amazing if it was still possible today.

My mistake - it's a massive 15 minutes!

https://www.jal.co.jp/en/dom/service/toujyo/

Please make sure to go through security check at least 15 minutes before the flight departure. When required, you would have to complete check-in procedures of yourself and your baggage before proceeding to a security point. You are expected to be at the boarding gate 10 minutes before the departure time at the latest.

[yflyer]

Another tasty (in the mind) read. Thank you, yflyer!

Thanks, jhm!

It's been a number of years since I've taking JL (domestic flights in Japan). It never ceased to amaze me that you can (and presumably still can) rock up to check-in 10 minutes before flight departure!

10 minutes? That would be amazing if it was still possible today.

[jhm]

Another tasty (in the mind) read. Thank you, yflyer!

It's been a number of years since I've taking JL (domestic flights in Japan). It never ceased to amaze me that you can (and presumably still can) rock up to check-in 10 minutes before flight departure!

[yflyer]

Thumbs up, yflyer!

Even though I am not a raw food enthusiast, your TR somehow makes it more tempting.

Thanks, sabian!

[sabian]

Thumbs up, yflyer!

Even though I am not a raw food enthusiast, your TR somehow makes it more tempting.

[yflyer]

Lip-smacking, entertaining and insightful. Totally enjoyed the read.

Thanks, icn.sg!

The breakfast on JL does look impressive! Have never had a breakfast on SQ or any other airline that matches that in Y.

Neither have I! The attention to detail was just amazing...I still can't believe they had a piece of waxed paper between the aluminium lid and the food just to prevent the food from sticking to the aluminum lid when it was being heated up.

[ycp81]

The breakfast on JL does look impressive! Have never had a breakfast on SQ or any other airline that matches that in Y. I had booked for my mum and her friends on the exact same flights to/from Tokyo. Good to know that they will be well-pampered on JL.

[icn.sg]

Lip-smacking, entertaining and insightful. Totally enjoyed the read.

The 2-3-2 configuration on the 767 is ideal for solo passengers. You are never 1 seat away from the aisle even in Y. Ideal for short-medium haul flights. On long haul flights, I would prefer the 3-4-3 configuration and pray for an empty flight to convert my 3 or 4 seats into a bed.

Very impressive catering. It's comforting to know that there are airlines that are not cutting back on their Y catering. Since SQ's service cutbacks are becoming less subtle, I'll definitely consider JAL if I need to be in Tokyo.

[yflyer]

Thanks for your report! Fully agree with your assessment. ANA Y seats are kinda narrow esp those that cannot be reclined. I usually avoid them.

Thanks, j.lin!

I have never flown ANA, and I am interested in checking out their 787's at least once.

But I haven't had good experiences on the CX fixed shell Y seats. If ANA uses a similar design, then I doubt I will be comfortable either! Maybe I should try them on a daytime flight...

[j.lin]

Final thoughts?

Tokyo is always an amazing place to visit, and every time I go there I discover something new. There are also so many options when choosing flights to Tokyo, and JAL has a very competitive offering on this sector. Of course so does SQ.

How does SQ compare on Japanese sectors?

I would still rate SQ’s newer Y products on the A380 / A330 and 77W’s superior to JAL, but JAL’s new 767 Y is better than SQ’s refurbished 777’s.

In terms of catering, SQ offers more choices than JAL, with a more international menu, but my impression from these flights is that JAL’s Y catering matches, and maybe even pips, SQ. Certainly the western breakfast on JAL is better than anything I have had on SQ or any other carrier for that matter.

So we are spoilt for choice for flights from Singapore to Tokyo. SQ does a great job, and as you can see from this TR, so does JAL. I’ve not flown ANA, but that is also on my list of carriers to try in the near future.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for your report! Fully agree with your assessment. ANA Y seats are kinda narrow esp those that cannot be reclined. I usually avoid them.

[goodielecks]

Thanks yflyer!

Will definitely add them to my list.

It's my 3rd trip to Tokyo and as usual, it seems like there're too few meal slots for everything that's on the list!

[yflyer]

Excellent report as usual

Thanks, SQflyergirl!

[SQflyergirl]

Excellent report as usual

[yflyer]

I have sat in these staggered types which have 2 variations. The 1-2-1 type like EY and the 2-2-1/1-2-1 type which is like this new JAL seats. The 1-2-1 types have the same seat widths like SQ's Regional J and i think they are fine although not wow.

The 2-2-1/1-2-1 type shown here, however, is really the same like economy seats that goes flat and feel quite claustrophobic even when flat because it's pretty narrow like coffin.

Thanks for sharing your views on these seats! Yes they did look very narrow for J seats. As this was a 767, the layout was actually 1-2-1, not 2-2-1/1-2-1, as the 767 is too narrow for anything more than staggered 1-2-1. In fact, I was amazed that they managed to do alternating rows of 2 in the middle as the 767 cabin is narrower than an A330.

Your food pics make my mouths water .... even for the very unusual items . Thanks for this great story. Cheers

Thanks, SQueeze! A lot of unusual food in Japan...I feel like I have only scratched the surface of what is available...

Excellent as always, yflyer!

Your trip review couldn't come at a more opportune time. I'm heading into Tokyo in about a month's time from now for the Sakura season.

Great to see a small writeup and some pictures dedicated to ANA Intercontinental, where I would be staying as well.

I am particularly interested in the small joint specialising in unagi. Tried scrutinising the photos for hints on the location or restaurant name or maybe I didn't look hard enough. Do you by any chance know where were you brought to by your colleagues?

And lastly correct me I am wrong, the Soba joint featured is Neboke?

Thanks, goodielecks!

Looks like quite a few SQTalkers are planning to head to Tokyo during Sakura season! Enjoy yourself!

There are quite a few unagi places in Tokyo...the one I went to was this place:

http://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1314/A131402/13013991/

I actually did not know the name of the restaurant when I went there, but tracked it down from my photo: There is a phone number printed on the banner hanging above the restaurant!

For Neboke, that is the restaurant that served the Kue fish and whale. For soba, I didn't get the name. But I am in Tokyo next week and will see if I can eat there again. Also check out CarbonMan's soba recommendation! I am planning to try that too, if I can somehow find free time to queue up for lunch...