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 associates! How are you?? I hope you’re having a beautiful morning. I’ve a variety 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 health club.

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

Listed here 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 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 publish as a result of the fact 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 arduous that I can now not stroll outdoors all day (it’s means 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 totally 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 largest issues I seen was the stage of satisfaction individuals 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 very 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 the whole time. Though you’re surrounded by shiny lights, enormous 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 might probably calm down. 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 arduous to carry 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 could 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 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. If you happen to 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 for those who do each, I extremely advocate beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the proper combo. 🙂

Listed here are a number 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 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 full of luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, shops, and infinite buying.

We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (similar resort 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 resort and facilities have 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 beloved about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, protected, and straightforward to navigate. We might stroll virtually in every single 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 continuously and are about to go on Disney Cruise #8. We simply don’t have Disney decor in our home, however I believe we test all the different bins. 😉

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 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 have been unimaginable.

The animatronics, particular results, projection mapping, storytelling, and trip 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 achieved, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.

We additionally beloved Journey to the Heart of the Earth, Rapunzel was beautiful (the lantern scene was every little thing), 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 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 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 every little thing was dramatically cheaper than the U.S. parks. An enormous rooster leg was round 800 yen (about $5 USD), in comparison with $15 – 20 at house.

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 definitely worth the flight proper there.

The one draw back is that lots of the trip reservation choices (referred to as DPA within the app) promote out shortly. I used to be capable of buy just a few, 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 night time we visited, and lots of meals places stopped serving round 7-8 p.m., so I positively 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 totally different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the reveals are continuously altering. You may stroll by way of a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems fully totally 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 images and movies.

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

I positively advocate this for those who’re touring with youngsters, however the adults have been simply as entertained.

I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets for those who’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 are tremendous scrumptious and likewise 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 mentioned, Korea and Japan live sooner or later.

Using the bullet prepare to Kyoto

I’d heard that for those who’re already in Tokyo, it’s value taking the prepare to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a special facet of Japan.

I didn’t need 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 Automobile (the equal of firstclass) 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 novel reminiscence that I beloved… I’d by no means actually been on a prepare earlier than (in addition to Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Approach much less trouble than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious buying

If you happen to love designer baggage, watches, jewellery, or equipment, Tokyo is heaven.

There are classic luxurious shops in every single place, and lots of the items are in nice situation and look model new.

If you happen to’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, carry your passport everytime you’re buying as a result of many shops provide 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 in regards to the crossing itself and extra in regards to the power of the whole space. There are big video screens, infinite buying, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals transferring by way of the intersection in each course.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Folks wait patiently, cross after 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 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 images, wandered the encircling streets, did some buying, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a purpose, and we beloved it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I believe it’s a type of locations it’s a must to expertise not 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 ideas for touring to Japan, and am completely happy to reply any questions, too!!