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 associates! How are you?? I hope you’re having a stunning morning. I’ve quite a lot of content material to file at present – 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 here are our Japan and Korea recap posts thus far:

Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate

Tokyo recap and why I 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 like Japan

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

Normally I really feel a bit of down after coming house from a visit, however that is subsequent degree. It usually hits me onerous that I can now not stroll exterior all day (it’s means 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 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 pleasure folks absorb the whole lot 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. Individuals have been variety and welcoming, the whole lot felt extremely secure, and I felt the perfect I’ve felt in a extremely very long time whereas we have been there.

I additionally observed 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 stunned me most was how calm my nervous system felt your complete time. Regardless that you’re surrounded by shiny lights, enormous buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. All the things is so organized and orderly that your physique really seems like it may calm down. I didn’t notice how a lot I wanted that feeling till I skilled it. Since we’ve been house, 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 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 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 hold asking if I most popular Korea or Japan, and I can’t select as a result of they’re so totally different whereas additionally complementing one another completely. If you happen to 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 the perfect 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 stuffed with luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, department shops, and countless purchasing.

We booked the KOKO Lodge for each stays (identical resort model, two totally different places) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most popular the situation of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt a bit of 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 quick journey to Kyoto and the opposite one afterwards.)

One factor I liked about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, secure, and simple to navigate. We might stroll virtually in all places and simply took an Uber when wanted.

Tokyo DisneySea

I at all times say we’re not “Disney folks,” although 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 believe we examine all the different 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 usually thought of the higher park for older youngsters and adults.

(the youngsters approve all the pictures 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 experience expertise 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 accomplished, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.

We additionally liked Journey to the Heart of the Earth, Rapunzel was beautiful (the lantern scene was the whole lot), 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 large!).

The meals was additionally a lot enjoyable.

We utterly fell in love with muscat-flavored the whole lot 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 folks actually acquire popcorn buckets and stroll round making an attempt all of them.

It’s additionally price mentioning that the whole lot was dramatically cheaper than the U.S. parks. A large rooster leg was round 800 yen (about $5 USD), in comparison with $15 – 20 at house.

Our park tickets and even the paid experience 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 experience reservation choices (known as DPA within the app) promote out shortly. I used to be in a position to 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 plenty 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 a number of totally different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the reveals are consistently altering. You’ll be able to 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 large 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 advocate this when you’re touring with youngsters, however the adults have 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 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 can 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 mentioned, Korea and Japan reside sooner or later.

Using the bullet prepare to Kyoto

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

I didn’t wish 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 really magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automobile (the equal of first-class) on the best way there, which was beautiful and cozy. 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 liked… I’d by no means actually been on a prepare earlier than (moreover Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Method much less trouble than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious purchasing

If you happen to 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.

If you happen to’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, deliver your passport everytime you’re purchasing as a result of many shops supply prompt 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, countless purchasing, eating places, lights, music, and hundreds of individuals transferring by 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.

Outdoors the station is the well-known Hachikō statue, honoring the loyal canine who continued ready for his proprietor on the station on daily basis, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s considered 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 purchasing, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a cause, and we liked it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I believe it’s a type of locations you need to expertise a minimum of as soon as!

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