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

In the present day, I’m sharing the primary of my Japan posts!

Listed below 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 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 truth is that I’ve Japression.

Normally I really feel a bit down after coming dwelling from a visit, however that is subsequent degree. It usually hits me exhausting that I can now not stroll outdoors all day (it’s method too sizzling 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 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 every thing 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 prepare station. Everybody appeared dedicated to doing their very best, and it was inspiring to see. Folks have been form and welcoming, every thing felt extremely secure, and I felt one of the best 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 shocked me most was how calm my nervous system felt the complete time. Although you’re surrounded by shiny lights, big buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. Every little thing is so organized and orderly that your physique really appears like it may chill out. I didn’t notice how a lot I wanted that feeling till I skilled it. Since we’ve been dwelling, I’ve been making an attempt 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 selection for a trip. I knew it might be enjoyable, however I felt overwhelmed by the planning and wasn’t positive 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.

Folks 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. 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 should you do each, I extremely advocate beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the right combo. 🙂

Listed below 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 full of luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, shops, and infinite procuring.

We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (identical lodge model, two totally different places) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most popular the placement of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt a bit quieter and extra native, however the precise lodge 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 beloved about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, secure, and simple to navigate. We may stroll virtually in all places 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 continuously and are about to go on Disney Cruise #8. We simply don’t have Disney decor in our home, however I believe we test the entire different containers. 😉

In fact 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 children and adults.

(the children 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 experience know-how 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 accomplished, 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 every thing), 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 music and a few spectacular animatronics (just like the inexperienced large!).

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

It’s additionally value mentioning that every thing was dramatically cheaper than the U.S. parks. An enormous hen leg was round 800 yen (about $5 USD), in comparison with $15 – 20 at dwelling.

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 well worth the flight proper there.

The one draw back is that most of the experience reservation choices (referred to as DPA within the app) promote out shortly. I used to be in a position to buy a number 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 lots 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 continuously altering. You’ll be able to stroll by means of a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems fully totally different.

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

(the Pilot did this superb turtle!)

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

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

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

I’ve additionally heard superb issues about teamLab Planets should 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 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 might be tremendous scrumptious and in addition cheap. The smoothies have 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 reside sooner or later.

Using 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 need to journey all the way in which internationally 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 really magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automobile (the equal of firstclass) on the way in which there, which was pretty 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 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 singular reminiscence that I beloved… I’d by no means actually been on a prepare earlier than (moreover Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Approach much less trouble than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious procuring

When 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.

When 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 procuring as a result of many shops supply prompt tax-free purchases for vacationers so that you don’t should cope with 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 concerning the crossing itself and extra concerning the power of the complete space. There are large video screens, infinite procuring, eating places, lights, music, and hundreds of individuals shifting by means of the intersection in each route.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Folks 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 every single 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 pictures, wandered the encompassing streets, did some procuring, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a purpose, and we beloved it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I believe it’s a kind 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 a number of extra to go. I’ll be sharing the entire superb meals we ate (together with GF choices), a Kyoto recap and suggestions for touring to Japan, and am joyful to reply any questions, too!!