Tokyo recap and why I really like Japan

Sharing a recap of what we did in Tokyo, the place we stayed and already wanting ahead to going again.

Hello associates! How are you?? I hope you’re having a stunning morning. I’ve loads of content material to report right now – Therapeutic Code re-launches on Monday! – and am going to catch an higher physique exercise and the therapeutic massage chair on the gymnasium.

Immediately, I’m sharing the primary of my Japan posts!

Listed here are our Japan and Korea recap posts thus far:

Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate

Tokyo recap and why I really like Japan (this publish)

Kyoto itinerary and ideas for journey to Japan

What we ate in Japan (and gf picks)

My Korean Head Spa experience

Tokyo recap and why I really like Japan

I’ve been avoiding penning this publish as a result of the fact is that I’ve Japression.

Often I really feel somewhat down after coming residence from a visit, however that is subsequent stage. It usually hits me onerous that I can not stroll outdoors all day (it’s approach too scorching right here and Tucson is unquestionably not walkable), discover new locations, spend uninterrupted time with the fam, eat unimaginable meals, and store all of the livelong day. As an alternative, I’m again to chores, feeding everybody, and cleansing up after feeding everybody lol.

This journey feels totally different as a result of Japan was not like something I’ve ever skilled. The tradition, the lifestyle, the deep respect, kindness, care, and professionalism, the clear streets, the cleanest meals, the surroundings… it actually felt like one other planet.

One of many largest issues I observed was the stage of pleasure individuals absorb every little thing they do. It didn’t matter if it was a restaurant server, Uber driver, resort receptionist, comfort retailer worker, or somebody serving to us on the prepare station. Everybody appeared dedicated to doing their very best, and it was inspiring to see. Folks have been form and welcoming, every little thing felt extremely protected, and I felt the very best I’ve felt in a very very long time whereas we have been there.

I additionally observed how wholesome and well-groomed everybody appeared. You don’t actually see individuals wandering round in pajamas screaming at one another lol. There’s simply this underlying sense of respect for your self and for the individuals round you.

What shocked me most was how calm my nervous system felt the complete time. Although you’re surrounded by vivid lights, enormous buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. Every part is so organized and orderly that your physique truly appears like it may well loosen up. I didn’t understand how a lot I wanted that feeling till I skilled it. Since we’ve been residence, I’ve been making an attempt actually onerous to deliver items of that feeling again with me.

I discussed this in my Seoul recap, however Japan and Korea actually weren’t my first alternative for a trip. I knew it might be enjoyable, however I felt overwhelmed by the planning and wasn’t certain in the event that they’d be locations I’d ever wish to go to once more. Now I really feel so naive as a result of I had no concept how particular these nations are. I already can’t wait to return.

Folks maintain asking if I most well-liked Korea or Japan, and I can’t select as a result of they’re so totally different whereas additionally complementing one another completely. In case you ever have the chance to go to that a part of the world, do each. I promise you’ll perceive the second you expertise it for your self.

And should you do each, I extremely advocate beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the right combo. 🙂

Listed here are a few of the highlights of our journey:

We stayed in two areas of Ginza.

The primary a part of our journey was close to the Tsukiji Outer Market, the place the streets are lined with meals stalls, seafood distributors, and the very best sushi of your life. (The well-known tuna auctions have moved to Toyosu Market, however Tsukiji remains to be completely value visiting for the meals scene!!)

After our Kyoto journey, we stayed in Ginza correct, which was a stunning location crammed with luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, malls, and countless purchasing.

We booked the KOKO Lodge for each stays (similar resort model, two totally different places) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most well-liked the placement of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt somewhat quieter and extra native, however the precise resort and facilities have been nicer on the Ginza location. (We stayed at one location for just a few days earlier than our brief journey to Kyoto and the opposite one afterwards.)

One factor I cherished about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, protected, and straightforward to navigate. We may stroll nearly in all places and simply took an Uber when wanted.

Tokyo DisneySea

I at all times say we’re not “Disney individuals,” although we go to the parks continuously and are about to go on Disney Cruise #8. We simply don’t have Disney decor in our home, however I believe we examine the entire different packing containers. 😉

After all we needed to go to a Disney property whereas we have been in Tokyo. They’ve two choices: Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. We selected DisneySea as a result of it has distinctive rides and lands that don’t exist within the U.S., and it’s typically thought of the higher park for older youngsters and adults.

(the children approve the entire images I publish and Liv requested me to place a coronary heart on her face for this one)

The rides have been unimaginable.

The animatronics, particular results, projection mapping, storytelling, and trip know-how far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is one in all my favourite rides and the Tokyo model utterly blew the U.S. model out of the water. It’s longer, extra immersive (3D), superbly performed, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.

We additionally cherished Journey to the Heart of the Earth, Rapunzel was attractive (the lantern scene was every little thing), and Sinbad ended up being one in all our shock favorites. It’s type of like It’s a Small World, however with a banger theme tune and a few spectacular animatronics (just like the inexperienced big!).

The meals was additionally a lot enjoyable.

We utterly fell in love with muscat-flavored every little thing whereas we have been in Japan, and these frozen muscat desserts have been a HUGE hit. I had two all through the day and P had three.

In addition they have distinctive popcorn flavors in all places. After we visited, the choices included milk chocolate, soy sauce and butter, scallop and garlic (which was DELICIOUS),

caramel, and salted popcorn. Every stand has totally different flavors, so individuals actually acquire popcorn buckets and stroll round making an attempt all of them.

It’s additionally value mentioning that every little thing was dramatically inexpensive than the U.S. parks. An enormous rooster leg was round 800 yen (about $5 USD), in comparison with $15 – 20 at residence.

Our park tickets and even the paid trip reservations have been a fraction of what we’d usually spend within the States. I inform ya, that’s definitely worth the flight proper there.

The one draw back is that most of the trip reservation choices (referred to as DPA within the app) promote out rapidly. I used to be in a position to buy just a few, however the entire free reservation choices have been gone shortly after we entered the park. Frozen and Indiana Jones have been additionally closed throughout our go to, which was a bummer.

The park closed at 9 p.m. the evening we visited, and lots of meals places stopped serving round 7-8 p.m., so I undoubtedly advocate prioritizing rides early and planning dinner earlier than issues start shutting down.

teamLab Borderless

This was an absolute must-do.

Tokyo has just a few totally different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the reveals are continuously altering. You possibly can stroll by a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it appears to be like utterly totally different.

We spent hours wandering by the reveals, drawing sea creatures that got here to life on big screens,

(the Pilot did this wonderful turtle!)

getting misplaced within the gentle installations, and taking so many images and movies.

It’s a type of experiences that’s onerous to elucidate till you see it your self.

I undoubtedly advocate this should you’re touring with youngsters, however the adults have been simply as entertained.

I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets should you’re making an attempt to decide on a location to go to!

A number of 7-Eleven and Lawson stops

7-Eleven lives as much as the TikTok and Instagram hype.

Each morning I grabbed one thing from the well-known drink case. C1000 was my favourite and I miss it a lot.

We additionally stocked up on muscat treats, smoothies, onigiri, and so many tasty snacks. It grew to become our breakfast cease, snack cease, and post-dinner dessert cease.

It’s humorous as a result of there are precisely zero issues I wish to eat at 7-Eleven within the U.S., however there have been dozens of issues I seemed ahead to consuming at comfort shops (konbini) in Japan.

They’ve fruit sandwiches, egg sandwiches, onigiri, coffees, glowing drinks, smoothies, and desserts which are tremendous scrumptious and likewise cheap. The smoothies have been the very best!! The container is simply frozen fruit and after you pay, you scan the bar code on the machine, put the cup inside, and it provides liquid and blends it on the spot. Like I mentioned, Korea and Japan live sooner or later.

Using the bullet prepare to Kyoto

I’d heard that should you’re already in Tokyo, it’s value taking the prepare to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a unique aspect of Japan.

I didn’t wish to journey all the best way internationally and miss it, so we added Kyoto to our itinerary and I’m so glad we did.

Kyoto deserves and is getting a whole weblog publish of its personal as a result of it was actually magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automobile (the equal of firstclass) on the best way there, which was pretty and comfy. On the best way again we rode common reserved seats, and TBH, it wasn’t an enormous distinction (and the common reserved seats have been about $120 much less for the 4 of us).

The trains are clear, quiet, environment friendly, and ridiculously punctual. Watching the countryside fly by whereas consuming snacks from the station was a novel reminiscence that I cherished… I’d by no means actually been on a prepare earlier than (moreover Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Manner much less problem than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious purchasing

In case you love designer luggage, watches, jewellery, or equipment, Tokyo is heaven.

There are classic luxurious shops in all places, and most of the items are in nice situation and look model new.

In case you’re available in the market for a Louis Vuitton bag, Gucci, Chanel, Rolex, or different luxurious items, I might completely store in Japan earlier than shopping for elsewhere.

Additionally, deliver your passport everytime you’re purchasing as a result of many shops provide instantaneous tax-free purchases for vacationers so that you don’t should take care of it on the airport.

Shibuya Crossing

We needed to go to the well-known Shibuya Crossing.

Photos don’t actually do it justice as a result of it’s much less concerning the crossing itself and extra concerning the vitality of the complete space. There are big video screens, countless purchasing, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals shifting by the intersection in each course.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Folks wait patiently, cross once they’re speculated to, and no one is bumping or pushing into one another.

Exterior the station is the well-known Hachikō statue, honoring the loyal canine who continued ready for his proprietor on the station day-after-day, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s one in all Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in particular person felt surprisingly emotional.

We took images, wandered the encircling streets, did some purchasing, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a motive, and we cherished it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I believe it’s a type of locations it’s a must to expertise at the very least as soon as!

Seems that this publish didn’t assist my Japression in any respect, however I’ve just a few extra to go. I’ll be sharing the entire wonderful meals we ate (together with GF choices), a Kyoto recap and ideas for touring to Japan, and am blissful to reply any questions, too!!