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

Right this 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 really like Japan (this put up)

Kyoto itinerary and suggestions 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 put up as a result of the fact is that I’ve Japression.

Normally I really feel somewhat down after coming house from a visit, however that is subsequent degree. It usually hits me onerous that I can now not stroll outdoors all day (it’s approach 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 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 greatest issues I seen was the degree of delight individuals soak up all the things 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 practice station. Everybody appeared dedicated to doing their very best, and it was inspiring to see. Folks had been type and welcoming, all the things felt extremely secure, and I felt the perfect 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 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 stunned me most was how calm my nervous system felt the whole time. Regardless 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 truly appears like it could calm down. 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 deliver 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 might be enjoyable, however I felt overwhelmed by the planning and wasn’t certain 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 international locations are. I already can’t wait to return.

Folks maintain asking if I most popular Korea or Japan, and I can’t select as a result of they’re so totally 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 should you do each, I extremely suggest beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the proper 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 perfect sushi of your life. (The well-known tuna auctions have moved to Toyosu Market, however Tsukiji remains 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, shops, and infinite procuring.

We booked the KOKO Lodge for each stays (similar resort model, two totally different places) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most popular the placement of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt somewhat quieter and extra native, however the precise resort 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 liked about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, secure, and straightforward to navigate. We may stroll nearly in every single place and simply took an Uber when wanted.

Tokyo DisneySea

I at all times 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 believe we test the entire different packing containers. 😉

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 typically thought of the higher park for older youngsters and adults.

(the children approve the entire photographs I put up 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 certainly 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), superbly accomplished, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.

We additionally liked Journey to the Heart of the Earth, Rapunzel was beautiful (the lantern scene was all the things), and Sinbad ended up being certainly 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 fully 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 in every single place. 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 totally different flavors, so individuals actually accumulate popcorn buckets and stroll round making an attempt all of them.

It’s additionally value mentioning that all the things was dramatically inexpensive 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 journey 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 journey reservation choices (known as DPA within the app) promote out shortly. I used to be capable of 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 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 just a few totally 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 by way of a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it appears to be like fully totally different.

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

(the Pilot did this wonderful turtle!)

getting misplaced within the gentle installations, and taking so many photographs and movies.

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

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

I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets should 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 turned 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 can be tremendous scrumptious and in addition cheap. The smoothies had been the perfect!! 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 reside sooner or later.

Using the bullet practice to Kyoto

I’d heard that should you’re already in Tokyo, it’s value taking the practice to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a distinct facet of Japan.

I didn’t need to journey all the way in which 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 whole weblog put up 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 novel reminiscence that I liked… I’d by no means actually been on a practice earlier than (moreover Polar Specific!) and it was such a cool expertise. Means much less problem than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious procuring

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, deliver your passport everytime you’re procuring as a result of many shops supply immediate 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.

Photos 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 vitality of the whole space. There are large video screens, infinite procuring, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals transferring by way of the intersection in each route.

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

We took photographs, wandered the encompassing streets, did some procuring, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a motive, and we liked it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I believe it’s a kind of locations you need to expertise a minimum of as soon as!

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