New Chitose airport lounges: which one to pick in Sapporo
At New Chitose, Sapporo's airport, most lounges are reserved for holders of a specific credit card or a JAL or ANA status, the two airlines of reference in the domestic terminal. Anyone who does not fit either case still has an option in the international terminal, open to the general public with no particular requirements.
In the domestic terminal, the two Super Lounge locations are free only for holders of a Japanese gold-tier or higher credit card among those listed; the Annex stands out for its private booths built for work calls, where outside food is also allowed, a rare exception for an airport lounge. The other lounges in the same terminal belong instead to JAL and ANA, split by tier: the JAL Sakura Lounge and the ANA Lounge remain accessible for a fee to those without the right status, with the latter designed by architect Kengo Kuma, while the Diamond Premier and the ANA Suite Lounge are reserved only for members of their respective loyalty programmes at the highest tier, with no paid-entry option for other passengers.
IndependentInternational Terminal · All flightsPriority Pass
Café Sky Library
4th floor, before passport and security checks, between the checkpoint and Counter C
More a café with a Hokkaido-themed library than a traditional lounge, it is also open to domestic passengers, a rare exception for an international terminal lounge.
Hours
11:00-21:00
Also open to the general public free of charge; with Priority Pass or DragonPass a meal set is included. Extra food and drinks are paid separately.
AirlineDomestic Terminal · Domestic flights
ANA LOUNGE
2nd floor departures area, near gate 7
Designed by architect Kengo Kuma around the concept of 'ichigo ichie', it serves, among its alcoholic drinks, Sapporo Classic beer, produced only in Hokkaido.
Hours
06:30-last departure
Paid entry
from 4,000 JPY
Elite-tier ANA members, Star Alliance Gold members and premium-class passengers; paid access of 4,000 yen per person.
Bar
AirlineDomestic Terminal · Domestic flights
ANA SUITE LOUNGE
2nd floor departures area, near gate 7
It shares the Kengo Kuma concept with the ANA Lounge, but sets its spaces apart with wooden walls in 'Yamato-kabe' style.
Hours
06:30-last departure
Reserved for members of the highest tier of the ANA mileage programme; no known paid access.
AirlineDomestic Terminal · Domestic flights
JAL Sakura Lounge
After the domestic terminal's security checks, it offers alcoholic drinks such as beer and whisky besides snacks and included drinks.
Hours
06:30-last departure
Paid entry
from 3,000 JPY
Elite-tier JAL members and oneworld Sapphire/Emerald members; paid cash entry of 3,000 yen, available only on limited days.
Bar
Credit cardDomestic Terminal · Domestic flights
Super Lounge
3rd floor, before security
Before the domestic terminal's security checks, it offers drinks included in the price and food or alcohol at an extra charge.
Hours
07:00-20:30
Paid entry
from 1,500 JPY
Free for holders of Japanese gold-tier or higher credit cards listed by the operator; otherwise paid access of 1,500 yen. Business area with wired LAN.
Credit cardDomestic Terminal · Domestic flights
Super Lounge Annex
4th floor, before security
An annex of the Super Lounge with private and semi-private booths equipped with outlets and USB ports, built for work calls, where outside food is also allowed.
Hours
07:00-20:30
Paid entry
from 1,500 JPY
Same gold cards accepted at the main Super Lounge; otherwise paid access of 1,500 yen.
AirlineDomestic Terminal · Domestic flights
ダイヤモンド・プレミアラウンジ (Diamond Premier Lounge)
Reception on the 2nd floor near gates 12 and 14, lounge on the 3rd floor
Soup, miso and alcoholic drinks accompany massage chairs and phone booths among the services of this domestic terminal lounge.
Hours
06:30-last departure
Reserved for JMB Diamond and JGC Premier members, no paid access.
Hot food
Bar
Spa and massages
AllianceInternational Terminal · International flights
Royal Lounge
4th floor of the international terminal
It is the international terminal's only shared lounge, with a shower and a separate smoking room among its strengths.
Hours
07:30-21:00
Reserved for passengers who meet the criteria of the partner airline currently operating it (generally Business class and elite members); shared between several airlines according to seasonal agreements.
Showers
Bar
No lounges match this filter.
The international terminal offers a different scenario. The Royal Lounge changes operator according to seasonal agreements between partner airlines, remaining the terminal's only shared lounge, with a shower and a separate smoking room among the services available to those who meet the current airline's criteria. For those without either a gold card or airline status, the simplest alternative is the Café Sky Library, also open to the general public: located before immigration checks, it is reachable even by domestic passengers, an exception that applies to no other lounge in the international terminal.
The right question, then, is: which card or status do you hold? Those flying often with JAL or ANA will almost always find dedicated access, those with only Priority Pass or DragonPass can rely on the Café Sky Library, while those with neither programme can always consider direct payment where available, keeping in mind that not every lounge allows it.
In short, at New Chitose the choice depends more on your own status than on the terminal: the highest-tier JAL and ANA members have the best lounges but the most closed ones, those flying with the same airlines without that status can still pay for entry, and those with a gold credit card find in the Super Lounges an alternative independent of the airline. For anyone arriving without any of these requirements, in the international terminal the Café Sky Library remains a stop open to everyone, even just for a coffee before the flight, with no need to prove anything at the reception.