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 report right now – Therapeutic Code re-launches on Monday! – and am going to catch an higher physique exercise and the therapeutic massage chair on the fitness center.

At the moment, I’m sharing the primary of my Japan posts!

Listed below 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 put up)

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 like Japan

I’ve been avoiding scripting this put up as a result of the fact is that I’ve Japression.

Often I really feel a little bit down after coming house from a visit, however that is subsequent stage. It usually hits me exhausting that I can now not stroll exterior all day (it’s approach 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 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 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 largest issues I seen was the stage of satisfaction folks absorb every part 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 best possible, and it was inspiring to see. Individuals had been variety and welcoming, every part felt extremely secure, and I felt the most effective I’ve felt in a very 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 complete time. Despite the fact that you’re surrounded by vibrant 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 might 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 exhausting 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 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.

Individuals hold asking if I most popular Korea or Japan, and I can’t select as a result of they’re so completely different whereas additionally complementing one another completely. In the event 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 for those who 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, department shops, and countless buying.

We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (similar lodge model, two completely different places) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most popular the placement of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt a little bit quieter and extra native, however the precise lodge and facilities had 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 cherished about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, secure, and simple 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 folks,” despite the fact that 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 the entire different bins. 😉

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 typically thought-about the higher park for older youngsters and adults.

(the youngsters approve the entire pictures I put up 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 know-how far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is considered 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 finished, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.

We additionally cherished Journey to the Middle of the Earth, Rapunzel was attractive (the lantern scene was every part), and Sinbad ended up being considered 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 part 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 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 completely different flavors, so folks actually gather popcorn buckets and stroll round attempting all of them.

It’s additionally value mentioning that every part was dramatically inexpensive 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 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 (known as DPA within the app) promote out rapidly. I used to be capable of buy a number of, however the entire 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 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 number of completely different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the displays are continually altering. You’ll be able to stroll by means of a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems fully completely different.

We spent hours wandering by means of the displays, 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 clarify till you see it your self.

I positively suggest this for those who’re touring with youngsters, however the adults had been simply as entertained.

I’ve additionally heard superb issues about teamLab Planets for those who’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 seemed 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 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.

Driving the bullet prepare to Kyoto

I’d heard that for those who’re already in Tokyo, it’s value taking the prepare to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a distinct aspect of Japan.

I didn’t need to journey all the best way 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 put up of its personal as a result of it was actually magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automotive (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 (in addition to Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Manner much less problem than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious buying

In the event you love designer baggage, watches, jewellery, or equipment, Tokyo is heaven.

There are classic luxurious shops in every single place, and most of the items are in nice situation and look model new.

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

Additionally, carry your passport everytime you’re buying as a result of many shops provide prompt tax-free purchases for vacationers so that you don’t must 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 your complete space. There are large video screens, countless buying, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals transferring by means of the intersection in each route.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross once they’re alleged 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 day by 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 pictures, wandered the encompassing streets, did some buying, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a cause, and we cherished it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I believe it’s a kind of locations you need to expertise not less than as soon as!

Seems that this put up 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 ideas for touring to Japan, and am completely happy to reply any questions, too!!