Tokyo recap and why I really 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 variety of content material to report as we speak – 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 below are our Japan and Korea recap posts up to now:

Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate

Tokyo recap and why I really 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 really like Japan

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

Normally I really feel slightly down after coming residence from a visit, however that is subsequent stage. It usually hits me onerous that I can now not stroll exterior all day (it’s approach 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 a substitute, 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 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 satisfaction folks soak up the whole lot 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 had been sort and welcoming, the whole lot felt extremely protected, and I felt the very best I’ve felt in a extremely very long time whereas we had been there.

I additionally seen 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 shocked me most was how calm my nervous system felt your entire time. Although you’re surrounded by shiny lights, large buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. Every part is so organized and orderly that your physique truly seems like it could possibly calm down. I didn’t notice how a lot I wanted that feeling till I skilled it. Since we’ve been residence, I’ve been attempting actually onerous to carry 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 will 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.

Folks 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. Should 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 right 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 very best sushi of your life. (The well-known tuna auctions have moved to Toyosu Market, however Tsukiji remains to be completely price 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 limitless buying.

We booked the KOKO Lodge for each stays (identical lodge 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 lodge and facilities had 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, protected, and simple to navigate. We may stroll virtually all over the place and simply took an Uber when wanted.

Tokyo DisneySea

I all the time say we’re not “Disney folks,” although we go to the parks continually and are about to go on Disney Cruise #8. We simply don’t have Disney decor in our home, however I believe we verify all the different containers. 😉

In fact we needed 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 usually thought-about the higher park for older children and adults.

(the youngsters approve all the images I publish and Liv requested me to place a coronary heart on her face for this one)

The rides had been unbelievable.

The animatronics, particular results, projection mapping, storytelling, and experience expertise far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is one among my favourite rides and the Tokyo model fully 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 cherished Journey to the Heart of the Earth, Rapunzel was beautiful (the lantern scene was the whole lot), and Sinbad ended up being one among 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 large!).

The meals was additionally a lot enjoyable.

We fully 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. 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 folks actually gather popcorn buckets and stroll round attempting all of them.

It’s additionally price 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 residence.

Our park tickets and even the paid experience 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 experience reservation choices (referred to as DPA within the app) promote out shortly. I used to be capable of buy just a few, 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 lots 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 continually altering. You possibly can stroll by a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it appears to be like fully completely different.

We spent hours wandering by 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 images and movies.

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

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

I’ve additionally heard superb 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 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 can be tremendous scrumptious and likewise cheap. The smoothies had been the very 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 mentioned, Korea and Japan live sooner or later.

Using the bullet prepare to Kyoto

I’d heard that if you happen to’re already in Tokyo, it’s price taking the prepare to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a special facet 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 really magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automobile (the equal of top notch) on the best way there, which was beautiful 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 cherished… 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 buying

Should 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.

Should you’re available in the market for a Louis Vuitton bag, Gucci, Chanel, Rolex, or different luxurious items, I’d completely store in Japan earlier than shopping for elsewhere.

Additionally, carry your passport everytime you’re buying 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.

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 your entire space. There are large video screens, limitless buying, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals transferring by the intersection in each course.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Folks wait patiently, cross after they’re presupposed 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 every single day, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s one among Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in particular person felt surprisingly emotional.

We took images, wandered the encompassing 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 believe it’s a type of locations you must expertise at the least as soon as!

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