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UPDATE: We're back!  Turns out we ended up arriving RIGHT as peak cherry blossoms happened  Tim's United 1k status got him a surprise  upgrade to ANA Business Class at the gate  The 27 hour layover in Taipei worked out perfectly Japan is finally open for real again, and we'd love to go back (it's where the 3 of us met, actually!). Here's the constraints I had looking for tickets: We've all seen the cherry blossoms before, so let's go AFTER the cherry blossoms but BEFORE golden week so we can avoid the crowds a bit. Try to go during Easter so we get one "free" day vis-a-vis Tim and Kelly's PTO.  Given Kelly's back and my recent surgery, get us there from New York in Business Class without paying the current going rate of $12,000 each round-trip. We were willing to do one stop if we could find a good deal. Given the similar time zone, shorter flight, and lack of health problems for Tim, get him there on a direct flight from Sydney in Econo...

Unquestionably the best Business Class seat I've ever flown in. Pros New Kengo Kuma-designed seat with huge amounts of space and privacy Toto Washlet in the lavatory ANA's flight crew are incredibly helpful and attentive without being too doting Huge in-flight entertainment screen that pairs over bluetooth with the ANA mobile app on your phone Vastly cheaper Wi-Fi than they've ever offered before Food I'd actually eat on the ground Proper pajamas and slippers  Haneda lounge was nice: showers, chef-cooked meals, Wi-Fi Cons Haneda airport is still in full Covid shutdown mode. If you don't have lounge access your food and beverage options are severely limited The British Airways lounge at JFK is pretty dismal Tips There are 2 rows of Business Class ahead of the galley next to First, I love this little mini-cabin.  Be aware that in odd-numbered rows the seats face backward, but they're more private and closer to the window .  How I did it 105,000 Amex points transfe...