Roughly a year ago, plans were announced for a first-ever Amex Centurion Lounge in Japan. There’s now an update, as this lounge will be opening this week, and we have all the details.
In this post:
Details of the new Amex Centurion Lounge Tokyo Haneda
On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, we’ll see the opening of the Amex Centurion Lounge at Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND). This represents the 30th Centurion Lounge globally, and the fourth in Asia.
The lounge is located in Terminal 3 (the airport’s primary international terminal), near gate 114, on the fourth floor. This is located in the terminal’s biggest “lounge complex,” where you’ll also find the Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge, Cathay Pacific Lounge, etc.
The catch is that the lounge is on the small side, as it’s just 683 square meters (7,352 square feet), with seating for 122 people. So I would expect that crowding will sometimes become an issue here.
The new lounge features locally sourced decor and artwork, has private phone rooms with curated audio programs for meditation, and also boasts restrooms and shower suites. For Centurion cardmembers, there’s also an exclusive VIP area, with a private beverage station.
As far as food and drinks go, the lounge has a live, open kitchen, where guests can watch chefs cook. There’s a buffet with a variety of Japanese and Western food and beverage options, along with a dedicated sweets bar, serving tea and Japanese wagashi sweets.
The menu has been created in partnership with Chef Satoshi Ogino, with options like sushi and ramen. There’s also a full bar with wine, locally inspired cocktails, a selection of Japanese beers, sake, and shochu.
Here’s how Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel, describes this new space:
“The Centurion Lounge at Haneda Airport celebrates Japanese culture, featuring custom artwork, an exciting menu that showcases the flavors of Tokyo, and my personal favorite – private meditation booths to help you recharge and find some calm before your flight. We’ve seen incredible demand for travel to Japan, it is one of the destinations where we’ve seen the highest growth recently. We look forward to showcasing the impeccable service Centurion Lounges are known for in a destination we know is so important to our Card Members.”
Will this Centurion Lounge be worth visiting?
In general, I find lounges run by credit cards to be most impressive in the United States. That’s for two reasons:
- Within the United States, even elite members and first class passengers often don’t have lounge access, while lounge access is a standard perk for those traveling on international itineraries
- Credit card lounges are typically better than lounges run by US airlines, so they have a big advantage there, while outside the United States, they’re often not comparatively as exciting
For example, I love visiting the Chase Sapphire Lounge New York (LGA), since it’s by far the best lounge at the airport. However, I probably wouldn’t visit the Chase Sapphire Lounge Hong Kong (HKG), if I could instead use the Cathay Pacific The Pier Business Lounge, or the Qantas Lounge, for example.
Now, in the case of Tokyo Haneda Airport, I’d say it’s more of a mixed bag. The Amex Centurion Lounge looks way better than the contract and Priority Pass lounges, while it’s likely not to the caliber of the Japan Airlines First Lounge or the Cathay Pacific Lounge.
I think the biggest concern with this new lounge is the size. At just over 7,000 square feet, this isn’t a very big space, and I imagine it’ll be crowded over many hours.
Bottom line
On July 16, 2025, an Amex Centurion Lounge is opening at Tokyo Haneda Airport Terminal 3. It’s great to see the Centurion Lounge network expanding to Japan, though this lounge is on the small side, at around 7,300 square feet, with seating for 122 people. If you have access, it could be worth checking out, though I doubt it’ll be the best lounge in the terminal (of course it depends what you have access to).
What do you make of the Amex Centurion Lounge Tokyo Haneda?
I visited the lounge at Haneda on Monday. It was *incredibly crowded*, despite being open only a week. Staff were helpful locating a table. The food was good - chefs were offering fresh burger sliders and ramen dishes. There was ice cream and several options from the buffet area. Restroom was nice (albeit dark), didn't see the shower facility.
I left after about 15 minutes and went to the JAL F lounge near gate 113 for peace and quiet.
I cant wait to try this in October when I am transiting through HND on the way to KOA.
From the lower 48?
Haven't looked yet, but anyone know off hand if Delta's Reserve card grants international access to this one?
It should if you're flying Delta.
Best to not assume, since for a long time, the only non-US Centurion lounge that permitted Delta Reserve entry was Hong Kong. The ones in London, New Delhi, Sydney, etc did not. And if I'm not mistaken, still don't.
Guess I'll look it up when I get home.
How would you even access the HKG Centurion if Delta doesn't fly there though?
They could also add Delhi for the kicks unless Tim Dunn's insider suggest Delta operating 8th freedom flights.
"How would you even access the HKG Centurion if Delta doesn't fly there though?"
The entry requirements are "same-day Delta operated or Delta marketed."
So for example a cardholder arriving on DL7773 or DL7921 would have access, even thought those are both Korean Air flights from Seoul to Hong Kong.
Almost. You'd have to depart on such a DL coded flight. They won't grant cardholders entrance upon arrival.
Their webpage clearly states that you have an access if you are departing from HND on delta operated or marketed flight.
“ Card Member must present a valid American Express Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated departing flight, and a government-issued I.D. Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight or anytime before a confirmed connecting flight.”
https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/lounges/delta-reserve/HND/The-Centurion-Lounge-Terminal-3-IAxGAcckdD/
Their webpage clearly states that you have an access if you are departing from HND on delta operated or marketed flight.
“ Card Member must present a valid American Express Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated departing flight, and a government-issued I.D. Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight or anytime before a confirmed connecting flight.”
https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/lounges/delta-reserve/HND/The-Centurion-Lounge-Terminal-3-IAxGAcckdD/
This will almost certainly be the "active duty military commuting back from Okinawa" lounge.
This seems a cut above the Priority Pass lounges, roughly the level of the ANA Lounge, a little bit below the Sakura Lounge/SkyClub/Cathay.
The food offerings seem to be quite solid. If I didn't have access to the JAL First Class Lounge, I'd probably leverage this lounge.
I'd love to try it out. Maybe in 2027 if I can finally get another Japan trip scheduled.
Looking forward to trying it out next month. Have access to the JAL Sakura Lounge which I know is a mixed bag. (Sadly I'm the only one with OWE status so can't get a family of 4 into JAL First lounge). Willing to pay $30 a kid to check it out just for a change of pace though.
The reach of Amex's lounge network is really valuable. As much as I love the Chase...
Looking forward to trying it out next month. Have access to the JAL Sakura Lounge which I know is a mixed bag. (Sadly I'm the only one with OWE status so can't get a family of 4 into JAL First lounge). Willing to pay $30 a kid to check it out just for a change of pace though.
The reach of Amex's lounge network is really valuable. As much as I love the Chase lounge at LGA, Chase has a lot of catching up to do to justify its new card structure. Between the Amex lounges and Rakuten offering outsized MR point returns, I really hope Amex doesn't screw up the Platinum card too much with its fall refresh. Feels like it already has a winning product for many without having to slice and dice points categories.
Not just Priority Pass—all of the non-first class lounges at Haneda (and, come to think of it, Narita) are totally inundated at nearly all hours of the day. I doubt this one will be any different.
Then again, given the close-in boarding time of international flights departing Japan and the efficiency of security/exit passport control, there is really no need to arrive at any Japanese airport more than 60-90 minutes before departure.
Can't believe I miss the entrance, I was just at CX and JL lounge few days ago.
Come to think of it, is this the space directly under SkyClub?