Tokyo recap and why I like Japan

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

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

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

Listed below are our Japan and Korea recap posts to this point:

Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate

Tokyo recap and why I like Japan (this publish)

Kyoto itinerary and suggestions for journey to Japan

What we ate in Japan (and gf picks)

My Korean Head Spa experience

Tokyo recap and why I like Japan

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

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

This journey feels completely 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 truthfully felt like one other planet.

One of many largest issues I seen was the stage of delight individuals absorb all the pieces they do. It didn’t matter if it was a restaurant server, Uber driver, lodge 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, all the pieces felt extremely secure, and I felt the perfect I’ve felt in a very very long time whereas we have been there.

I additionally seen 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 your entire time. Regardless that you’re surrounded by brilliant lights, big buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. The whole lot is so organized and orderly that your physique truly seems like it will probably loosen up. I didn’t notice 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 carry items of that feeling again with me.

I discussed this in my Seoul recap, however Japan and Korea truthfully 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 thought how particular these nations are. I already can’t wait to return.

Folks hold asking if I most popular Korea or Japan, and I can’t select as a result of they’re so completely 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 in case you do each, I extremely suggest beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the proper combo. 🙂

Listed below are among 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 perfect sushi of your life. (The well-known tuna auctions have moved to Toyosu Market, however Tsukiji continues 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, shops, and infinite procuring.

We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (identical lodge model, two completely different areas) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most popular the placement of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt slightly quieter and extra native, however the precise lodge 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, secure, and straightforward to navigate. We might stroll virtually all over the place and simply took an Uber when wanted.

Tokyo DisneySea

I all the time say we’re not “Disney individuals,” although we go to the parks continually 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. 😉

In fact we wished 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 usually thought of the higher park for older youngsters and adults.

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

The rides have been unbelievable.

The animatronics, particular results, projection mapping, storytelling, and trip know-how far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is considered one of 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 Middle of the Earth, Rapunzel was attractive (the lantern scene was all the pieces), and Sinbad ended up being considered one of our shock favorites. It’s form 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 all the pieces 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.

Additionally they have distinctive popcorn flavors all over the place. 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 completely different flavors, so individuals actually accumulate popcorn buckets and stroll round making an attempt all of them.

It’s additionally value mentioning that all the pieces was dramatically inexpensive than the U.S. parks. An enormous hen 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 well worth the flight proper there.

The one draw back is that lots 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 areas stopped serving round 7-8 p.m., so I undoubtedly suggest 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 completely different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the displays are continually altering. You may stroll by way of a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems utterly completely different.

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

(the Pilot did this wonderful turtle!)

getting misplaced within the mild installations, and taking so many pictures and movies.

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

I undoubtedly suggest this in case you’re touring with youngsters, however the adults have been simply as entertained.

I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets in case 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 appeared ahead to consuming at comfort shops (konbini) in Japan.

They’ve fruit sandwiches, egg sandwiches, onigiri, coffees, glowing drinks, smoothies, and desserts which might be tremendous scrumptious and likewise cheap. The smoothies have been the perfect!! 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 stated, Korea and Japan live sooner or later.

Driving the bullet prepare to Kyoto

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

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

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

We rode the Inexperienced Automotive (the equal of top notch) on the way in which there, which was beautiful and cozy. On the way in which 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 (in addition to Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Method much less problem than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious procuring

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

There are classic luxurious shops all over the place, and lots 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, carry your passport everytime you’re procuring as a result of many shops supply on the spot tax-free purchases for vacationers so that you don’t should cope with 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 your entire space. There are big video screens, infinite procuring, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals transferring by way of the intersection in each path.

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

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

We took pictures, wandered the encircling streets, did some procuring, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a purpose, and we cherished it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I believe it’s a type of locations you need 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 suggestions for touring to Japan, and am blissful to reply any questions, too!!