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 buddies! How are you?? I hope you’re having a beautiful morning. I’ve a whole lot of content material to document 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.

As we speak, 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 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 penning this submit as a result of the truth 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 onerous that I can not stroll outdoors all day (it’s means 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 truthfully felt like one other planet.

One of many largest issues I seen was the stage of satisfaction individuals absorb all the pieces they do. It didn’t matter if it was a restaurant server, Uber driver, resort 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 type and welcoming, all the pieces felt extremely secure, 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 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 your entire time. Regardless that you’re surrounded by vivid lights, big buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. Every thing is so organized and orderly that your physique truly appears like it might chill out. I didn’t notice how a lot I wanted that feeling till I skilled it. Since we’ve been house, I’ve been making an attempt actually onerous to carry items of that feeling again with me.

I discussed this in my Seoul recap, however Japan and Korea truthfully weren’t my first alternative for a trip. I knew it could 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 concept how particular these international locations are. I already can’t wait to return.

Individuals preserve 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 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 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 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 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 beautiful location crammed with luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, shops, and infinite buying.

We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (identical resort model, two completely different areas) 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 resort and facilities had been nicer on the Ginza location. (We stayed at one location for a couple 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 straightforward to navigate. We may stroll virtually in all places and simply took an Uber when wanted.

Tokyo DisneySea

I all the time say we’re not “Disney individuals,” 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 feel we test all the different bins. 😉

After all 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 youngsters and adults.

(the youngsters approve all the pictures I submit 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 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 executed, 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 all the pieces), 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 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 all the pieces 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 in all places. After 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 individuals actually accumulate popcorn buckets and stroll round making an attempt all of them.

It’s additionally price mentioning that all the pieces was dramatically inexpensive than the U.S. parks. An enormous 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 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 experience reservation choices (referred to as DPA within the app) promote out shortly. I used to be capable of buy a couple of, 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 areas 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 couple of completely different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the reveals are consistently altering. You’ll be able to stroll via a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems fully completely different.

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

(the Pilot did this superb turtle!)

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

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

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

I’ve additionally heard superb issues about teamLab Planets if you happen to’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 turned 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 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 in addition 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 stated, 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 unique facet of Japan.

I didn’t wish 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 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 pretty 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 novel reminiscence that I cherished… I’d by no means actually been on a prepare earlier than (moreover Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Method much less problem than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious buying

In case 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.

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, carry your passport everytime you’re buying as a result of many shops supply instantaneous 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.

Footage don’t actually do it justice as a result of it’s much less in regards to the crossing itself and extra in regards to the power of your entire space. There are large video screens, infinite buying, eating places, lights, music, and hundreds of individuals transferring via the intersection in each path.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross after they’re speculated 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 daily, 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 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 feel it’s a type of locations it’s a must to expertise a minimum of 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 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!!