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 mates! How are you?? I hope you’re having a beautiful morning. I’ve a whole 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 health club.

At present, 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 really 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 really like Japan

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

Often I really feel slightly down after coming dwelling from a visit, however that is subsequent stage. It usually hits me laborious that I can not stroll outdoors all day (it’s method too sizzling 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 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 actually felt like one other planet.

One of many greatest issues I seen was the stage of delight individuals 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 had been type and welcoming, the whole lot felt extremely protected, 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 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 whole time. Although you’re surrounded by brilliant lights, enormous buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. Every thing is so organized and orderly that your physique really appears like it may calm down. I didn’t notice how a lot I wanted that feeling till I skilled it. Since we’ve been dwelling, I’ve been attempting actually laborious to convey 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 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.

Individuals maintain asking if I most well-liked Korea or Japan, and I can’t select as a result of they’re so totally 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 in case you do each, I extremely suggest 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 crammed with luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, shops, and limitless purchasing.

We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (similar resort model, two totally different areas) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most well-liked the placement of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt slightly quieter and extra native, however the precise resort and facilities had 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, protected, and simple to navigate. We may stroll virtually all over the place and simply took an Uber when wanted.

Tokyo DisneySea

I at all times say we’re not “Disney individuals,” 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 bins. 😉

In fact 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 typically thought of 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 had been unimaginable.

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

We additionally beloved Journey to the Middle of the Earth, Rapunzel was attractive (the lantern scene was the whole lot), and Sinbad ended up being one in all 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 the whole lot 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.

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 totally different flavors, so individuals actually acquire popcorn buckets and stroll round attempting all of them.

It’s additionally value 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 dwelling.

Our park tickets and even the paid trip reservations had 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 most of the trip reservation choices (known as DPA within the app) promote out rapidly. I used to be in a position to buy a number of, however all the 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 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 a number of totally different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the displays are consistently altering. You’ll be able to stroll by a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems utterly totally different.

We spent hours wandering by the displays, 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 photographs and movies.

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

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

I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets in case you’re attempting 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 regarded 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 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 stated, 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 wish to journey all the best way internationally 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 Automotive (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 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 prepare earlier than (apart from Polar Specific!) and it was such a cool expertise. Manner much less problem than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious purchasing

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

There are classic luxurious shops all over the place, and most 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’d completely store in Japan earlier than shopping for elsewhere.

Additionally, convey your passport everytime you’re purchasing as a result of many shops provide prompt tax-free purchases for vacationers so that you don’t need to take care of 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 power of the whole space. There are large video screens, limitless purchasing, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals transferring by the intersection in each route.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross once they’re purported to, and no one 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 daily, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s one in all Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in individual felt surprisingly emotional.

We took photographs, wandered the encircling streets, did some purchasing, 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 it’s important to expertise no less than 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 suggestions for touring to Japan, and am glad to reply any questions, too!!