The Bathing Bandit Strikes Again!

Location: Tokyo Narita Airport - American Airlines Lounge

I usually fly Japan Airlines for my yearly trip home to the Philippines and I always say that one of the best rewards for enduring a 14 plus hour plane ride is the shower and free massage that awaits me at Tokyo's Narita Airport. Japan Airline's Sakura Lounge is one of the best I've every seen. The 2-story lounge offers shower rooms, free massages, a bank of massage chairs and private office areas on the first level. The second level houses a generous buffet spread and premium bar. A note about the massage chairs: as you know, Japanese people are really into their gadgets, so the features and functions on the massage chairs are no exception. However, all the buttons are labeled in Japanese and if you were silly enough, like I was, to just randomly press a bunch of buttons, you will end up looking like a vibrating, gyrating, convulsing idiot on a chair - like I did. It took 2 attendants to figure out how to stop the high-tech torture device and get the beast to release my legs. Also, these chairs are not meant for people under 5' 3". I happen to be 4' 11" and what should have been an invigorating shiatsu neck massage turned out to be a skull thumper for a shorty like me.

This year, on my way back to the States, I flew American and had the pleasure of trying out their lounge. The MNL - NRT leg of the flight leaves at around 9 a.m. so I am normally on my way to the airport by 5. I take a shower the night before, then stumble into the car at the crack of dawn. When I get to Tokyo, I take another shower, change into my pajamas and prepare for my long trip back to the States. Here's what the American Airlines' shower room looks like:

Entrance to the shower rooms

Shower stall

Inside the stall - funky green tiles!

Sink area

Okay, so it may not be as lovely as Japan Airlines' shower room facilities, but hey, it got the job done. Long-haul travel is exhausting and just having the opportunity to take a shower before or after the ordeal is a blessing. I certainly wouldn't knock it. Besides, and I've always maintained this philosophy...ultimately, it's you who can turn a simple bathing ritual into the most spa-tastic, indulgent and relaxing experience ever.

Have TSA-approved luxurious bath products, will travel.