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 pals! How are you?? I hope you’re having a stunning morning. I’ve numerous content material to file at this time – Therapeutic Code re-launches on Monday! – and am going to catch an higher physique exercise and the therapeutic massage chair on the health club.

In the present day, I’m sharing the primary of my Japan posts!

Listed below 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 submit)

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 submit as a result of the fact is that I’ve Japression.

Normally I really feel a bit down after coming residence from a visit, however that is subsequent degree. It usually hits me exhausting that I can not stroll outdoors all day (it’s manner too sizzling right here and Tucson is certainly not walkable), discover new locations, spend uninterrupted time with the fam, eat unimaginable 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 truthfully felt like one other planet.

One of many largest issues I observed was the degree of satisfaction individuals absorb all the pieces 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 best possible, and it was inspiring to see. Individuals have been variety and welcoming, all the pieces felt extremely secure, 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 shiny lights, large buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. All the pieces is so organized and orderly that your physique truly appears like it will probably chill out. 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 exhausting to convey items of that feeling again with me.

I discussed this in my Seoul recap, however Japan and Korea truthfully weren’t my first selection for a trip. I knew it will 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 international locations are. I already can’t wait to return.

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

Listed below are a number 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 continues to be completely price visiting for the meals scene!!)

After our Kyoto journey, we stayed in Ginza correct, which was a stunning location full of luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, shops, and limitless buying.

We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (similar resort model, two completely different areas) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most popular the situation of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt a bit quieter and extra native, however the precise resort and facilities have been nicer on the Ginza location. (We stayed at one location for a number of days earlier than our brief journey to Kyoto and the opposite one afterwards.)

One factor I beloved about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, secure, and simple to navigate. We may stroll nearly in every single place 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 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 all the different bins. 😉

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-about the higher park for older children and adults.

(the youngsters approve all the pictures I submit 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 journey expertise far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is certainly 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 finished, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.

We additionally beloved Journey to the Heart of the Earth, Rapunzel was attractive (the lantern scene was all the pieces), and Sinbad ended up being certainly one of our shock favorites. It’s type of like It’s a Small World, however with a banger theme track 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.

In addition they have distinctive popcorn flavors in every single place. 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 gather popcorn buckets and stroll round making an attempt all of them.

It’s additionally price mentioning that all the pieces was dramatically cheaper 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 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 lots of the journey reservation choices (known as DPA within the app) promote out shortly. I used to be capable of buy a number 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 lots 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 number of completely different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the reveals are continually altering. You’ll be able to stroll by means of a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems to be utterly completely different.

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

(the Pilot did this superb turtle!)

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

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

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

I’ve additionally heard superb 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 turned 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 stated, Korea and Japan live sooner or later.

Driving the bullet prepare to Kyoto

I’d heard that should you’re already in Tokyo, it’s price taking the prepare to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a special 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 submit of its personal as a result of it was really 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 singular reminiscence that I beloved… I’d by no means actually been on a prepare earlier than (in addition to Polar Specific!) and it was such a cool expertise. Approach much less trouble than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious buying

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

There are classic luxurious shops in every single place, and lots of the items are in nice situation and look model new.

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

Additionally, convey your passport everytime you’re buying as a result of many shops provide instantaneous tax-free purchases for vacationers so that you don’t need to cope with it on the airport.

Shibuya Crossing

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

Footage 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 the complete space. There are big video screens, limitless buying, eating places, lights, music, and hundreds of individuals transferring by means of the intersection in each course.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross after they’re imagined to, and no person 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 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 pictures, wandered the encircling streets, did some buying, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a motive, and we beloved it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I believe it’s a type of locations you need to expertise not less than as soon as!

Seems that this submit didn’t assist my Japression in any respect, however I’ve a number 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 glad to reply any questions, too!!