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 mates! How are you?? I hope you’re having a stunning morning. I’ve plenty of content material to file right now – Therapeutic Code re-launches on Monday! – and am going to catch an higher physique exercise and the therapeutic massage chair on the health club.

In the present day, 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 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.

Normally I really feel a bit 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 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 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 actually felt like one other planet.

One of many largest issues I observed was the degree of delight folks soak up all the pieces 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. Folks had been form and welcoming, all the pieces 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 observed 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 shocked me most was how calm my nervous system felt your complete time. Regardless that you’re surrounded by vivid lights, large buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. The whole lot is so organized and orderly that your physique truly appears like it may possibly loosen up. I didn’t understand 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 convey items of that feeling again with me.

I discussed this in my Seoul recap, however Japan and Korea actually 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.

Folks preserve asking if I most well-liked Korea or Japan, and I can’t select as a result of they’re so totally 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 when 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 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 stunning location crammed with luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, malls, and limitless procuring.

We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (similar lodge model, two totally different places) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most well-liked 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 might stroll nearly all over the place and simply took an Uber when wanted.

Tokyo DisneySea

I at all times say we’re not “Disney folks,” despite the fact 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 verify the entire different bins. 😉

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-about the higher park for older children and adults.

(the youngsters approve the entire photographs 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 experience expertise far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is certainly 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), superbly achieved, 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 pieces), and Sinbad ended up being certainly one of our shock favorites. It’s sort 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 utterly 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 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 totally different flavors, so folks 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. 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 experience 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 experience 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 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 totally different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the displays are always altering. You possibly can stroll via a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it appears to be like utterly totally different.

We spent hours wandering via the displays, 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 photographs and movies.

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

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

I’ve additionally heard superb issues about teamLab Planets when 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 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 can be tremendous scrumptious and in addition 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 mentioned, Korea and Japan live sooner or later.

Driving the bullet prepare to Kyoto

I’d heard that when you’re already in Tokyo, it’s price taking the prepare to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a special facet of Japan.

I didn’t wish 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 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 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 (moreover Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Manner much less problem than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious procuring

When you love designer luggage, 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 available in the market 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 procuring as a result of many shops supply prompt 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 vitality of your complete space. There are large video screens, limitless procuring, eating places, lights, music, and hundreds of individuals shifting via the intersection in each route.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Folks wait patiently, cross after they’re purported to, and no person 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 each day, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s certainly one of Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in individual felt surprisingly emotional.

We took photographs, wandered the encircling streets, did some procuring, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a purpose, and we liked it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I feel it’s a kind of locations it’s a must to expertise no less than 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!!