Tokyo recap and why I 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 stunning morning. I’ve lots of content material to file 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 fitness center.

In the present day, 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 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 like Japan

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

Often I really feel a bit down after coming dwelling from a visit, however that is subsequent stage. It usually hits me onerous that I can now not stroll exterior 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 unimaginable 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 truthfully felt like one other planet.

One of many largest issues I seen was the stage of satisfaction folks soak up all the things 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. Individuals had been sort and welcoming, all the things felt extremely protected, and I felt one of the best 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 stunned me most was how calm my nervous system felt all the time. Despite the fact that 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 really looks like it might probably loosen up. 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 onerous 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 need 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 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. 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 in the event you 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 one of the 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 stunning location crammed with luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, malls, and infinite purchasing.

We booked the KOKO Lodge for each stays (identical lodge model, two completely different places) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most popular the situation of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt a bit 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 quick journey to Kyoto and the opposite one afterwards.)

One factor I liked about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, protected, and straightforward 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,” though 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 test the entire different bins. 😉

After all we wished 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 the entire pictures I submit and Liv requested me to place a coronary heart on her face for this one)

The rides had been unimaginable.

The animatronics, particular results, projection mapping, storytelling, and journey know-how far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is one in all my favourite rides and the Tokyo model utterly 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 liked Journey to the Middle of the Earth, Rapunzel was beautiful (the lantern scene was all the things), and Sinbad ended up being one in all our shock favorites. It’s type of like It’s a Small World, however with a banger theme track and a few spectacular animatronics (just like the inexperienced big!).

The meals was additionally a lot enjoyable.

We utterly fell in love with muscat-flavored all the things 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.

In addition 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 acquire popcorn buckets and stroll round making an attempt all of them.

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

Our park tickets and even the paid journey reservations had 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 journey reservation choices (known as DPA within the app) promote out rapidly. I used to be in a position to buy just a few, 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 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 consistently altering. You may stroll by means of a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems utterly completely different.

We spent hours wandering by means of the reveals, drawing sea creatures that got here to life on big 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 onerous to elucidate till you see it your self.

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

I’ve additionally heard superb issues about teamLab Planets in the event 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 regarded ahead to consuming at comfort shops (konbini) in Japan.

They’ve fruit sandwiches, egg sandwiches, onigiri, coffees, glowing drinks, smoothies, and desserts which are tremendous scrumptious and likewise cheap. The smoothies had 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 live sooner or later.

Driving the bullet prepare to Kyoto

I’d heard that in the event you’re already in Tokyo, it’s value taking the prepare to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a special 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 Automotive (the equal of firstclass) 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 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 liked… I’d by no means actually been on a prepare earlier than (in addition to Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Method much less trouble than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious purchasing

When you love designer luggage, 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.

When 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 must take care of it on the airport.

Shibuya Crossing

We needed to go to the well-known Shibuya Crossing.

Photos 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 big video screens, infinite purchasing, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals shifting by means of the intersection in each path.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross after 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 on daily basis, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s one in all Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in particular person 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 cause, and we liked 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 just a few 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 glad to reply any questions, too!!