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 beautiful morning. I’ve loads of content material to report immediately – Therapeutic Code re-launches on Monday! – and am going to catch an higher physique exercise and the therapeutic massage chair on the gymnasium.

At this time, 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 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 scripting this submit as a result of the truth is that I’ve Japression.

Normally I really feel a bit of down after coming dwelling 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 scorching 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 truthfully felt like one other planet.

One of many largest issues I seen was the degree of delight folks soak up every little 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. Folks have been type and welcoming, every little thing felt extremely secure, and I felt the very 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 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 complete time. Though you’re surrounded by vivid lights, enormous buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. All the things is so organized and orderly that your physique really seems like it might loosen up. I didn’t notice 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 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 concept 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. For those who 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 should you do each, I extremely suggest beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the proper combo. 🙂

Listed below 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 the very 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, department shops, and limitless buying.

We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (identical lodge model, two totally 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 of 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 cherished about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, secure, and straightforward to navigate. We might stroll nearly all over the place and simply took an Uber when wanted.

Tokyo DisneySea

I all the time say we’re not “Disney folks,” 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 examine all the different 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 of the higher park for older children and adults.

(the children approve all the pictures I submit 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 journey 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), fantastically completed, 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 certainly one of our shock favorites. It’s form of like It’s a Small World, however with a banger theme tune 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 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.

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 totally different flavors, so folks actually acquire popcorn buckets and stroll round making an attempt all of them.

It’s additionally price mentioning that every little thing was dramatically inexpensive than the U.S. parks. An enormous hen leg was round 800 yen (about $5 USD), in comparison with $15 – 20 at dwelling.

Our park tickets and even the paid journey 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 most of the journey reservation choices (referred to 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 totally 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 seems fully totally different.

We spent hours wandering by way of the reveals, 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 pictures and movies.

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

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

I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets should 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 seemed 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 likewise cheap. The smoothies have been the very 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 reside sooner or later.

Using the bullet prepare to Kyoto

I’d heard that should you’re already in Tokyo, it’s price taking the prepare to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a special 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 submit of its personal as a result of it was actually magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automobile (the equal of top notch) on the way in which there, which was beautiful and cozy. 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 cherished… I’d by no means actually been on a prepare earlier than (moreover Polar Specific!) and it was such a cool expertise. Manner much less problem than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious buying

For those who love designer luggage, 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.

For those who’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 buying as a result of many shops provide 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 concerning the crossing itself and extra concerning the power of the complete space. There are large video screens, limitless buying, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals shifting by way of the intersection in each course.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Folks 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 on daily basis, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s certainly one of Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in particular person felt surprisingly emotional.

We took pictures, wandered the encompassing streets, did some buying, 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 feel it’s a kind of locations it’s a must to expertise at the very least as soon as!

Seems that this submit 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 suggestions for touring to Japan, and am glad to reply any questions, too!!