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 beautiful morning. I’ve a variety of content material to file in the present day – Therapeutic Code re-launches on Monday! – and am going to catch an higher physique exercise and the therapeutic massage chair on the health club.

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

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

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 scripting this submit as a result of the truth is that I’ve Japression.

Often I really feel a bit of down after coming residence from a visit, however that is subsequent stage. It usually hits me laborious that I can 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 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 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 seen was the stage of pleasure folks absorb all the things 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 practice station. Everybody appeared dedicated to doing their very best, and it was inspiring to see. Folks had been type and welcoming, all the things felt extremely secure, and I felt one of the best I’ve felt in a very very long time whereas we had been there.

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

What shocked me most was how calm my nervous system felt your complete time. Despite the fact that you’re surrounded by vibrant lights, enormous buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. Every thing is so organized and orderly that your physique really seems like it will probably calm down. 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 laborious 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 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 need to go to once more. Now I really feel so naive as a result of I had no thought how particular these international locations 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 completely different whereas additionally complementing one another completely. In the event 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 when 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 remains to be completely value visiting for the meals scene!!)

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

We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (similar lodge model, two completely different places) 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 had been nicer on the Ginza location. (We stayed at one location for a number of days earlier than our quick 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 might stroll nearly in all places and simply took an Uber when wanted.

Tokyo DisneySea

I all the time say we’re not “Disney folks,” regardless that we go to the parks consistently and are about to go on Disney Cruise #8. We simply don’t have Disney decor in our home, however I feel we examine the entire different packing containers. 😉

After all we wished to go to a Disney property whereas we had 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-about the higher park for older children and adults.

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

The rides had been unimaginable.

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

We additionally beloved Journey to the Middle of the Earth, Rapunzel was beautiful (the lantern scene was all the things), and Sinbad ended up being one among our shock favorites. It’s type of like It’s a Small World, however with a banger theme music and a few spectacular animatronics (just like the inexperienced large!).

The meals was additionally a lot enjoyable.

We utterly fell in love with muscat-flavored all the things whereas we had been in Japan, and these frozen muscat desserts had 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 folks actually accumulate popcorn buckets and stroll round making an attempt all of them.

It’s additionally value mentioning that all the things 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 experience reservations had 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 experience reservation choices (referred to as DPA within the app) promote out rapidly. I used to be in a position to buy a number of, however the entire free reservation choices had been gone shortly after we entered the park. Frozen and Indiana Jones had 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 places stopped serving round 7-8 p.m., so I positively 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 consistently altering. You possibly can stroll via a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it appears to be like utterly completely different.

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

(the Pilot did this wonderful turtle!)

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

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

I positively advocate this when you’re touring with children, however the adults had been simply as entertained.

I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets when 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 can be tremendous scrumptious and in addition cheap. The smoothies had 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 practice to Kyoto

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

I didn’t need 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 actually magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automotive (the equal of top quality) 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 had 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 practice earlier than (in addition to Polar Specific!) and it was such a cool expertise. Approach much less problem than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious buying

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

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

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

Additionally, convey your passport everytime you’re buying as a result of many shops provide on the spot 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 your complete space. There are large video screens, infinite buying, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals transferring via the intersection in each route.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Folks wait patiently, cross after they’re purported 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 day by day, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s one among Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in particular person felt surprisingly emotional.

We took images, wandered the encompassing streets, did some buying, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a cause, and we beloved it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I feel it’s a type of locations it’s a must to expertise a minimum of 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 the entire wonderful meals we ate (together with GF choices), a Kyoto recap and ideas for touring to Japan, and am completely happy to reply any questions, too!!