Sapporo Royal Lounge

The Royal Lounge on the 4th floor of Sapporo New Chitose Airport's international terminal was surprisingly quiet. The typical airport noise was cut off by a single door, and upon entering, the first thing I noticed were the calming lighting and spacious sofas. There was plenty of room, but I chose a regular seat near the window. The lack of a view of the runway was a bit disappointing, as it detracted from the fun of watching the planes move. The food was primarily Japanese snacks. There were warm options like ramen, chicken karaage, onigiri, and miso soup, as well as a wide selection of alcoholic beverages. The phrase "not quite hotel breakfast quality, but decent for an airport lounge" was perfectly fitting. Grabbing a plate and slowly eating, I felt a little less nervous about my trip. There was also a shower room. Only those who know how much that is appreciated before a long flight will appreciate it. If you time it right, you can enjoy a comfortable stay. However, the entry requirements were a bit strict. You had to be a business class passenger, have a specific card, or have a mileage tier. You couldn't just buy a separate ticket. Ultimately, this place sold "tranquility" rather than "luxury." Outside, instead of airplanes, only the faint shadows of a snow-covered runway could be seen, and people were quietly eating and resting. This silence, in fact, left a lingering impression of Sapporo.