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 buddies! How are you?? I hope you’re having a beautiful morning. I’ve lots of content material to file 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 gymnasium.

In the present day, I’m sharing the primary of my Japan posts!

Listed below are our Japan and Korea recap posts to date:

Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate

Tokyo recap and why I like Japan (this publish)

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 like Japan

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

Normally 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 outdoors all day (it’s means 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 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 observed was the stage of pleasure individuals soak up every little thing 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. Individuals had been form and welcoming, every little thing felt extremely secure, and I felt one of the best I’ve felt in a very very long time whereas we had been there.

I additionally observed 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 complete time. Despite the fact that you’re surrounded by brilliant lights, large buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. Every little thing is so organized and orderly that your physique truly seems like it could calm down. I didn’t understand 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 convey 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 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 maintain asking if I most well-liked 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 if you happen to do each, I extremely advocate 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 one of the best 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 crammed with luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, department shops, and infinite purchasing.

We booked the KOKO Lodge for each stays (identical resort model, two completely different places) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most well-liked the placement of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt a bit 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 cherished about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, secure, and straightforward to navigate. We may stroll nearly all over the place and simply took an Uber when wanted.

Tokyo DisneySea

I at all times say we’re not “Disney individuals,” although we go to the parks always 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 packing containers. 😉

In fact 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 of the higher park for older youngsters and adults.

(the youngsters approve all the images I publish 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 trip expertise 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), fantastically completed, 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 little thing), and Sinbad ended up being one among our shock favorites. It’s form 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 little thing 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 all over the 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 completely different flavors, so individuals actually gather popcorn buckets and stroll round making an attempt all of them.

It’s additionally value mentioning that every little thing 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 dwelling.

Our park tickets and even the paid trip 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 lots of the trip reservation choices (known as DPA within the app) promote out shortly. I used to be in a position to buy just a few, 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 places stopped serving round 7-8 p.m., so I undoubtedly advocate 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 displays are always altering. You’ll be able to stroll by a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems fully completely different.

We spent hours wandering by the displays, 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 images and movies.

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

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

I’ve additionally heard wonderful 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 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 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 reside sooner or later.

Using the bullet practice to Kyoto

I’d heard that if you happen to’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 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 whole weblog publish of its personal as a result of it was actually magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automobile (the equal of firstclass) on the way in which there, which was pretty 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 cherished… I’d by no means actually been on a practice earlier than (moreover 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 baggage, watches, jewellery, or equipment, Tokyo is heaven.

There are classic luxurious shops all over the place, and lots 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, convey your passport everytime you’re purchasing as a result of many shops supply prompt tax-free purchases for vacationers so that you don’t need to 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 in regards to the crossing itself and extra in regards to the power of your complete space. There are large video screens, infinite purchasing, eating places, lights, music, and hundreds of individuals transferring by the intersection in each path.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross after they’re presupposed 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 one among Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in particular person felt surprisingly emotional.

We took images, wandered the encircling streets, did some purchasing, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a purpose, 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 no less than as soon as!

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