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 buddies! How are you?? I hope you’re having a stunning morning. I’ve a number of content material to file immediately – 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 below are our Japan and Korea recap posts to date:

Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate

Tokyo recap and why I like Japan (this submit)

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 like Japan

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

Often I really feel somewhat down after coming house from a visit, however that is subsequent degree. It usually hits me exhausting that I can now not stroll exterior 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 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 largest issues I observed was the degree of delight individuals soak up 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 practice station. Everybody appeared dedicated to doing their very best, and it was inspiring to see. Individuals have been type and welcoming, the whole lot felt extremely protected, and I felt the most effective 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 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. Although you’re surrounded by brilliant 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 might probably 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 attempting actually exhausting 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 alternative 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 nations are. I already can’t wait to return.

Individuals preserve 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. When 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 if you happen to do each, I extremely suggest 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 most effective 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 stunning location stuffed with luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, shops, and countless buying.

We booked the KOKO Lodge for each stays (similar 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 somewhat quieter and extra native, however the precise resort and facilities have been nicer on the Ginza location. (We stayed at one location for a couple of days earlier than our quick journey to Kyoto and the opposite one afterwards.)

One factor I cherished about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, protected, and straightforward to navigate. We might 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,” despite the fact that we go to the parks always and are about to go on Disney Cruise #8. We simply don’t have Disney decor in our home, however I feel we verify the entire 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 typically thought of the higher park for older youngsters and adults.

(the children approve the entire images 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 fully blew the U.S. model out of the water. It’s longer, extra immersive (3D), fantastically carried out, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.

We additionally cherished Journey to the Heart of the Earth, Rapunzel was beautiful (the lantern scene was the whole lot), 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 tune and a few spectacular animatronics (just like the inexperienced big!).

The meals was additionally a lot enjoyable.

We fully 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 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 totally different flavors, so individuals actually accumulate 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 hen leg was round 800 yen (about $5 USD), in comparison with $15 – 20 at house.

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 well 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 rapidly. I used to be capable of buy a couple of, however the entire 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 night time we visited, and plenty of meals places stopped serving round 7-8 p.m., so I positively suggest 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 totally different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the displays are always altering. You may stroll by way of a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems to be fully totally different.

We spent hours wandering by way of the displays, drawing sea creatures that got here to life on big 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 exhausting to elucidate till you see it your self.

I positively suggest this if you happen to’re touring with youngsters, however the adults have been simply as entertained.

I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets if you happen to’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 need to eat at 7-Eleven within the U.S., however there have been dozens of issues I appeared 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 most effective!! 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 reside sooner or later.

Using the bullet practice to Kyoto

I’d heard that if you happen to’re already in Tokyo, it’s value taking the practice to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a special facet 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 whole weblog submit of its personal as a result of it was really magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automobile (the equal of top notch) on the way in which there, which was pretty and comfy. 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 novel reminiscence that I cherished… I’d by no means actually been on a practice earlier than (apart from Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Manner much less trouble than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious buying

When you love designer baggage, 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.

When 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 supply 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.

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 power of all the space. There are big video screens, countless buying, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals transferring by way of the intersection in each path.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross once they’re alleged 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 individual felt surprisingly emotional.

We took images, wandered the encircling streets, did some buying, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a purpose, and we cherished it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I feel it’s a type of locations it’s a must to expertise no less than as soon as!

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