Tokyo recap and why I really like Japan

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

Hello buddies! How are you?? I hope you’re having a beautiful morning. I’ve quite a lot of content material to report right this moment – Therapeutic Code re-launches on Monday! – and am going to catch an higher physique exercise and the therapeutic massage chair on the fitness center.

As we speak, I’m sharing the primary of my Japan posts!

Listed here are our Japan and Korea recap posts to date:

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 scripting this publish as a result of the fact is that I’ve Japression.

Normally I really feel a bit of down after coming residence from a visit, however that is subsequent degree. It usually hits me onerous that I can not stroll outdoors all day (it’s manner too scorching right here and Tucson is unquestionably 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 in contrast to 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 seen was the degree of satisfaction individuals soak up every little thing 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. Individuals have been variety and welcoming, every little thing felt extremely secure, and I felt one of the best I’ve felt in a extremely 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 stunned me most was how calm my nervous system felt all the time. Regardless that you’re surrounded by vibrant lights, large buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. All the things is so organized and orderly that your physique truly seems like it may well calm down. 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 selection for a trip. I knew it could be enjoyable, however I felt overwhelmed by the planning and wasn’t certain in the event that they’d be locations I’d ever need to go to once more. Now I really feel so naive as a result of I had no concept how particular these international locations are. I already can’t wait to return.

Individuals maintain asking if I most well-liked Korea or Japan, and I can’t select as a result of they’re so completely different whereas additionally complementing one another completely. For those who 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 advocate beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the proper combo. 🙂

Listed here 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 one of the best 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 beautiful location full of luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, department shops, and countless purchasing.

We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (similar lodge model, two completely different areas) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most well-liked the placement of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt a bit of quieter and extra native, however the precise lodge and facilities have been nicer on the Ginza location. (We stayed at one location for a couple of 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 simple to navigate. We may stroll virtually in all places and simply took an Uber when wanted.

Tokyo DisneySea

I at all times say we’re not “Disney individuals,” regardless that 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 verify all the different bins. 😉

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 typically thought-about the higher park for older children and adults.

(the youngsters approve all the photographs 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 journey expertise far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is certainly one of my favourite rides and the Tokyo model fully 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 beautiful (the lantern scene was every little thing), and Sinbad ended up being certainly one of our shock favorites. It’s sort of like It’s a Small World, however with a banger theme tune and a few spectacular animatronics (just like the inexperienced large!).

The meals was additionally a lot enjoyable.

We fully 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. Once 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 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 hen leg was round 800 yen (about $5 USD), in comparison with $15 – 20 at residence.

Our park tickets and even the paid journey 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 journey reservation choices (known as DPA within the app) promote out shortly. I used to be capable of buy a couple of, however all the 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 plenty of meals areas 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 a couple of completely different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the displays are continuously altering. You’ll be able to stroll by a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems to be fully completely different.

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

(the Pilot did this superb turtle!)

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

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

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

I’ve additionally heard superb 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 turned our breakfast cease, snack cease, and post-dinner dessert cease.

It’s humorous as a result of there are precisely zero issues I need 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 might be tremendous scrumptious and in addition cheap. The smoothies have been one of the 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 in case you’re already in Tokyo, it’s value taking the prepare to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a special aspect of Japan.

I didn’t need to journey all the best way 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 whole weblog publish of its personal as a result of it was actually magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automobile (the equal of top quality) 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 (in addition to Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Manner much less trouble than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious purchasing

For those who 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.

For those who’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 supply instantaneous 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 in regards to the crossing itself and extra in regards to the vitality of all the space. There are large video screens, countless purchasing, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals transferring by the intersection in each path.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross after they’re alleged 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 certainly one of Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in particular person felt surprisingly emotional.

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

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