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 associates! How are you?? I hope you’re having a beautiful morning. I’ve plenty of content material to file at this time – Therapeutic Code re-launches on Monday! – and am going to catch an higher physique exercise and the therapeutic massage chair on the gymnasium.

As we speak, I’m sharing the primary of my Japan posts!

Listed here 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 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.

Often I really feel a bit down after coming house from a visit, however that is subsequent stage. It usually hits me laborious that I can now not stroll outdoors all day (it’s method too sizzling right here and Tucson is certainly 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 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 actually felt like one other planet.

One of many greatest issues I seen was the stage of delight folks absorb 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 prepare station. Everybody appeared dedicated to doing their very best, and it was inspiring to see. Folks have been form and welcoming, every little thing felt extremely protected, and I felt the perfect 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 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 stunned me most was how calm my nervous system felt the whole time. Although you’re surrounded by shiny 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 looks like it could 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 laborious to deliver items of that feeling again with me.

I discussed this in my Seoul recap, however Japan and Korea actually weren’t my first selection for a trip. I knew it will 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 thought how particular these nations 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 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 when you do each, I extremely suggest beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the right combo. 🙂

Listed here 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 continues 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, malls, and infinite procuring.

We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (identical resort model, two completely different areas) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most popular the situation of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt a bit quieter and extra native, however the precise resort and facilities have been nicer on the Ginza location. (We stayed at one location for a number 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, protected, and simple to navigate. We may stroll virtually in all places and simply took an Uber when wanted.

Tokyo DisneySea

I at all times say we’re not “Disney folks,” though 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 believe we test the entire different packing containers. 😉

After all we needed 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 of the higher park for older youngsters and adults.

(the children approve the entire photographs I publish and Liv requested me to place a coronary heart on her face for this one)

The rides have been unimaginable.

The animatronics, particular results, projection mapping, storytelling, and experience expertise far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is one in every of my favourite rides and the Tokyo model fully blew the U.S. model out of the water. It’s longer, extra immersive (3D), fantastically carried out, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.

We additionally cherished Journey to the Middle of the Earth, Rapunzel was beautiful (the lantern scene was every little thing), and Sinbad ended up being one in every of 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 big!).

The meals was additionally a lot enjoyable.

We fully fell in love with muscat-flavored every little 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 in all places. 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 folks actually accumulate 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 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 have 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 lots of the experience reservation choices (known as DPA within the app) promote out rapidly. I used to be in a position to buy a number of, however the entire 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 night time 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 number of completely different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the reveals are always altering. You’ll be able to stroll by way of a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it appears to be like fully completely different.

We spent hours wandering by way 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 photographs and movies.

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

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

I’ve additionally heard wonderful 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 might be tremendous scrumptious and in addition cheap. The smoothies have 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 stated, 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 value taking the prepare to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a special aspect 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 publish of its personal as a result of it was actually magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automotive (the equal of top quality) on the best way there, which was pretty and cozy. On the best way 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 singular reminiscence that I cherished… I’d by no means actually been on a prepare earlier than (apart from Polar Specific!) and it was such a cool expertise. Means much less trouble than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious procuring

In case you love designer baggage, watches, jewellery, or equipment, Tokyo is heaven.

There are classic luxurious shops in all places, and lots of the items are in nice situation and look model new.

In case 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, deliver your passport everytime you’re procuring as a result of many shops supply prompt tax-free purchases for vacationers so that you don’t need to 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 big video screens, infinite procuring, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals shifting by way of the intersection in each path.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Folks wait patiently, cross after they’re presupposed 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 every single day, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s one in every of Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in individual 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 cause, and we cherished it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I believe it’s a kind of locations you must expertise at the least as soon as!

Seems that this publish didn’t assist my Japression in any respect, however I’ve a number of 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 blissful to reply any questions, too!!