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 mates! How are you?? I hope you’re having a stunning morning. I’ve numerous content material to file immediately – 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 to date:

Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate

Tokyo recap and why I like Japan (this put up)

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 put up as a result of the truth is that I’ve Japression.

Often I really feel a bit of down after coming dwelling from a visit, however that is subsequent stage. It usually hits me arduous that I can not stroll outdoors all day (it’s manner 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 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 actually felt like one other planet.

One of many largest issues I seen was the stage of satisfaction individuals soak up the whole lot 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 practice station. Everybody appeared dedicated to doing their best possible, and it was inspiring to see. Folks had been variety and welcoming, the whole lot felt extremely secure, and I felt one of the best I’ve felt in a extremely very long time whereas we had 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 complete time. Despite the fact that you’re surrounded by brilliant lights, large buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. All the pieces is so organized and orderly that your physique really looks like it could actually calm down. 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 arduous 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 selection for a trip. I knew it will 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 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 if you happen to do each, I extremely advocate beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the right 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 one of the best sushi of your life. (The well-known tuna auctions have moved to Toyosu Market, however Tsukiji remains to be completely price visiting for the meals scene!!)

After our Kyoto journey, we stayed in Ginza correct, which was a stunning location stuffed with luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, department shops, and limitless procuring.

We booked the KOKO Lodge for each stays (identical lodge model, two completely different areas) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most popular 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 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 cherished about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, secure, and simple to navigate. We might stroll virtually in all places and simply took an Uber when wanted.

Tokyo DisneySea

I at all times say we’re not “Disney individuals,” 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 examine the entire different containers. 😉

After all we needed 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 youngsters and adults.

(the children approve the entire pictures I put up 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 journey know-how far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is considered 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 carried out, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.

We additionally cherished Journey to the Middle of the Earth, Rapunzel was attractive (the lantern scene was the whole lot), 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 fully fell in love with muscat-flavored the whole lot 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.

Additionally they have distinctive popcorn flavors in all places. 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 completely different flavors, so individuals actually acquire popcorn buckets and stroll round making an attempt all of them.

It’s additionally price mentioning that the whole lot 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 dwelling.

Our park tickets and even the paid journey reservations had 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 journey reservation choices (referred to as DPA within the app) promote out rapidly. I used to be in a position to 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 lots of meals areas stopped serving round 7-8 p.m., so I undoubtedly 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 completely different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the displays are always altering. You’ll be able to stroll via a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems to be fully completely different.

We spent hours wandering via the displays, drawing sea creatures that got here to life on big screens,

(the Pilot did this superb turtle!)

getting misplaced within the gentle installations, and taking so many pictures and movies.

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

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

I’ve additionally heard superb issues about teamLab Planets if you happen to’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 appeared 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 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 stated, Korea and Japan live sooner or later.

Driving the bullet practice to Kyoto

I’d heard that if you happen to’re already in Tokyo, it’s price taking the practice to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a unique facet 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 put up of its personal as a result of it was actually magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automobile (the equal of first-class) on the best way there, which was beautiful and comfy. On the best way 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 novel reminiscence that I cherished… I’d by no means actually been on a practice earlier than (in addition to 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 luggage, 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, convey your passport everytime you’re procuring as a result of many shops provide immediate 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.

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 vitality of the complete space. There are big video screens, limitless procuring, eating places, lights, music, and hundreds of individuals shifting via the intersection in each path.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Folks wait patiently, cross once they’re speculated to, and no person 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 every single 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 pictures, wandered the encircling 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 need to expertise not less than as soon as!

Seems that this put up 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 blissful to reply any questions, too!!