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 associates! How are you?? I hope you’re having a beautiful morning. I’ve quite a lot of content material to file at this time – 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 the moment, I’m sharing the primary of my Japan posts!

Listed here 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 submit)

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 submit as a result of the fact is that I’ve Japression.

Often I really feel a bit down after coming house from a visit, however that is subsequent degree. It usually hits me laborious that I can not stroll exterior all day (it’s manner 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 truthfully felt like one other planet.

One of many greatest issues I seen was the degree of delight folks absorb every little 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 practice station. Everybody appeared dedicated to doing their best possible, and it was inspiring to see. Individuals have been form and welcoming, every little thing felt extremely secure, and I felt the very best 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 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 stunned me most was how calm my nervous system felt all the time. Although you’re surrounded by shiny lights, big buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. Every thing is so organized and orderly that your physique truly seems like it could possibly loosen up. 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 laborious to deliver items of that feeling again with me.

I discussed this in my Seoul recap, however Japan and Korea truthfully weren’t my first selection for a trip. I knew it could be enjoyable, however I felt overwhelmed by the planning and wasn’t positive 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 international locations 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 totally 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 in the event you do each, I extremely suggest beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the right 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 very 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 stuffed with luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, malls, and limitless purchasing.

We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (similar lodge model, two totally different places) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most well-liked the situation 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 couple 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, secure, and straightforward 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 folks,” though 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 feel we examine all the different containers. 😉

In fact 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-about the higher park for older children and adults.

(the youngsters approve all the 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 experience know-how far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is considered one of my favourite rides and the Tokyo model utterly blew the U.S. model out of the water. It’s longer, extra immersive (3D), superbly performed, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.

We additionally beloved Journey to the Heart of the Earth, Rapunzel was beautiful (the lantern scene was every little thing), and Sinbad ended up being considered one of our shock favorites. It’s form of like It’s a Small World, however with a banger theme track 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 every little 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 folks actually acquire popcorn buckets and stroll round attempting all of them.

It’s additionally value mentioning that every little 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 house.

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 definitely worth the flight proper there.

The one draw back is that most of the experience reservation choices (known as DPA within the app) promote out shortly. I used to be in a position to buy a couple of, however all the 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 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 a couple of totally different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the displays are continually altering. You possibly can stroll via a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems to be utterly totally different.

We spent hours wandering via 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 images and movies.

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

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

I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets in the event 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 can be tremendous scrumptious and likewise cheap. The smoothies have 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 practice to Kyoto

I’d heard that in the event you’re already in Tokyo, it’s value taking the practice to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a unique 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 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 best way there, which was beautiful and cozy. On the best way 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 beloved… I’d by no means actually been on a practice earlier than (apart from Polar Specific!) and it was such a cool expertise. Manner much less trouble than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious purchasing

In case you love designer luggage, 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 might completely store in Japan earlier than shopping for elsewhere.

Additionally, deliver your passport everytime you’re purchasing as a result of many shops supply on the spot 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 all the space. There are large video screens, limitless 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 presupposed 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 every single day, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s considered one of Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in particular person felt surprisingly emotional.

We took images, wandered the encompassing streets, did some purchasing, 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 feel it’s a kind of locations you must expertise not 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 all the wonderful meals we ate (together with GF choices), a Kyoto recap and ideas for touring to Japan, and am pleased to reply any questions, too!!