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 quite a lot of content material to report right this moment – Therapeutic Code re-launches on Monday! – and am going to catch an higher physique exercise and the therapeutic massage chair on the health club.

Right now, 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 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 penning this submit 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 arduous that I can now not stroll outdoors all day (it’s method too scorching right here and Tucson is certainly not walkable), discover new locations, spend uninterrupted time with the fam, eat unbelievable 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 actually felt like one other planet.

One of many greatest issues I seen was the stage of satisfaction individuals absorb every thing 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 form and welcoming, every thing felt extremely secure, and I felt the most effective I’ve felt in a extremely very long time whereas we have 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 stunned me most was how calm my nervous system felt the complete time. Although you’re surrounded by brilliant lights, big buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. All the things is so organized and orderly that your physique truly appears like it will possibly 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 arduous to deliver 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 concept how particular these nations are. I already can’t wait to return.

Individuals preserve 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 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 suggest beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the proper combo. 🙂

Listed here are a few 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 remains to be completely value 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 countless purchasing.

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

One factor I cherished about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, secure, and straightforward 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 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 verify the entire different bins. 😉

After all we wished 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 children and adults.

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

The rides have been unbelievable.

The animatronics, particular results, projection mapping, storytelling, and trip know-how far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is one in every 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 executed, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.

We additionally cherished Journey to the Heart of the Earth, Rapunzel was attractive (the lantern scene was every thing), and Sinbad ended up being one in every of our shock favorites. It’s sort of like It’s a Small World, however with a banger theme music 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 every thing 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.

Additionally 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 individuals actually gather popcorn buckets and stroll round attempting all of them.

It’s additionally value mentioning that every thing 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 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 most of the trip reservation choices (known as DPA within the app) promote out shortly. I used to be capable of buy just a few, 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 evening we visited, and plenty of meals places 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 just a few 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 fully completely different.

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

(the Pilot did this wonderful turtle!)

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

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

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

I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets should 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 appeared ahead to consuming at comfort shops (konbini) in Japan.

They’ve fruit sandwiches, egg sandwiches, onigiri, coffees, glowing drinks, smoothies, and desserts which might 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 mentioned, 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 value taking the prepare to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a unique 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 actually magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automotive (the equal of first-class) on the way in which there, which was beautiful 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 prepare earlier than (apart from Polar Specific!) and it was such a cool expertise. Approach much less trouble than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious purchasing

In case you love designer baggage, 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.

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, deliver your passport everytime you’re purchasing as a result of many shops supply immediate 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.

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, countless purchasing, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals shifting via the intersection in each course.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross once they’re speculated to, and no one 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 one in every of Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in individual felt surprisingly emotional.

We took pictures, wandered the encompassing streets, did some purchasing, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a motive, and we cherished it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I believe it’s a type of locations it’s important to expertise at the least as soon as!

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