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 pals! How are you?? I hope you’re having a beautiful morning. I’ve plenty of content material to file right this 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.

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

Listed here 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 publish)

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 penning this publish as a result of the fact is that I’ve Japression.

Normally I really feel just a little down after coming dwelling from a visit, however that is subsequent stage. It usually hits me arduous that I can 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 not like 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 delight individuals soak up every thing 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 have been variety and welcoming, every thing felt extremely protected, and I felt one of the best I’ve felt in a extremely very long time whereas we have 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 your entire time. Regardless that you’re surrounded by vibrant lights, large buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. All the pieces 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 attempting actually arduous 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 positive 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 thought 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. Should 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 here are a few 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 price 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, malls, and infinite buying.

We booked the KOKO Lodge for each stays (similar lodge model, two completely different places) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most well-liked the situation of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt just a little quieter and extra native, however the precise lodge and facilities have 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 beloved about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, protected, and straightforward to navigate. We might stroll virtually all over the place and simply took an Uber when wanted.

Tokyo DisneySea

I at all times say we’re not “Disney individuals,” regardless that 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 test all the different packing containers. 😉

In fact we wished to go to a Disney property whereas we have 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 children approve all the images I publish and Liv requested me to place a coronary heart on her face for this one)

The rides have been unbelievable.

The animatronics, particular results, projection mapping, storytelling, and trip expertise far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is considered one of my favourite rides and the Tokyo model utterly 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 beloved Journey to the Middle of the Earth, Rapunzel was beautiful (the lantern scene was every thing), and Sinbad ended up being considered one of our shock favorites. It’s sort of like It’s a Small World, however with a banger theme music 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 every thing whereas we have been in Japan, and these frozen muscat desserts have 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 individuals actually acquire popcorn buckets and stroll round attempting all of them.

It’s additionally price mentioning that every 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 have 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 trip reservation choices (known as DPA within the app) promote out shortly. I used to be capable of buy a couple of, however all the free reservation choices have been gone shortly after we entered the park. Frozen and Indiana Jones have 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 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 always altering. You may stroll by means of a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it appears 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 wonderful turtle!)

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

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

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

I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets if you happen to’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 wish 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 are tremendous scrumptious and in addition cheap. The smoothies have 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 mentioned, 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 distinct 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 complete weblog publish of its personal as a result of it was actually magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automotive (the equal of top quality) 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 have 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 beloved… I’d by no means actually been on a prepare earlier than (in addition to Polar Specific!) and it was such a cool expertise. Manner much less trouble than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious buying

Should you love designer baggage, 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.

Should 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, deliver your passport everytime you’re buying as a result of many shops supply on the spot 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.

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 entire space. There are big video screens, infinite buying, eating places, lights, music, and hundreds of individuals shifting by means of the intersection in each course.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross once they’re presupposed to, and no one is bumping or pushing into one another.

Exterior 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 images, wandered the encircling streets, did some buying, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a cause, and we beloved 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 a couple of extra to go. I’ll be sharing all the wonderful meals we ate (together with GF choices), a Kyoto recap and ideas for touring to Japan, and am pleased to reply any questions, too!!