Tokyo recap and why I really like Japan

Sharing a recap of what we did in Tokyo, the place we stayed and already trying ahead to going again.

Hello pals! How are you?? I hope you’re having a beautiful morning. I’ve lots of content material to document as we speak – Therapeutic Code re-launches on Monday! – and am going to catch an higher physique exercise and the therapeutic massage chair on the health club.

Right now, I’m sharing the primary of my Japan posts!

Listed below are our Japan and Korea recap posts to this point:

Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate

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

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 really like Japan

I’ve been avoiding penning this put up as a result of the fact is that I’ve Japression.

Often I really feel a little bit down after coming residence from a visit, however that is subsequent degree. It usually hits me exhausting that I can now not stroll exterior 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 truthfully felt like one other planet.

One of many greatest issues I observed was the degree of pleasure folks soak up every part 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 practice station. Everybody appeared dedicated to doing their very best, and it was inspiring to see. Individuals have been variety and welcoming, every part felt extremely protected, and I felt the most effective I’ve felt in a extremely very long time whereas we have 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 stunned me most was how calm my nervous system felt your entire time. Regardless that you’re surrounded by vivid lights, big buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. Every thing is so organized and orderly that your physique truly seems like it could possibly chill out. I didn’t notice how a lot I wanted that feeling till I skilled it. Since we’ve been residence, I’ve been making an attempt actually exhausting to deliver items of that feeling again with me.

I discussed this in my Seoul recap, however Japan and Korea truthfully 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 concept how particular these international locations are. I already can’t wait to return.

Individuals 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. 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 in the event you do each, I extremely advocate beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the right 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 most effective 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 crammed with luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, malls, and infinite buying.

We booked the KOKO Lodge for each stays (similar 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 little 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 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, protected, and straightforward to navigate. We might stroll nearly in every single place and simply took an Uber when wanted.

Tokyo DisneySea

I at all times say we’re not “Disney folks,” regardless that 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 examine all the different containers. 😉

In fact 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 typically thought-about the higher park for older youngsters and adults.

(the youngsters approve all the pictures I put up 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 expertise far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is considered 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), fantastically executed, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.

We additionally cherished Journey to the Heart of the Earth, Rapunzel was attractive (the lantern scene was every part), and Sinbad ended up being considered one of our shock favorites. It’s type 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 every part 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 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 part was dramatically inexpensive than the U.S. parks. A large hen leg was round 800 yen (about $5 USD), in comparison with $15 – 20 at residence.

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 well 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 in a position to 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 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 a couple of completely different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the reveals are continuously altering. You possibly can stroll by a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it appears utterly completely different.

We spent hours wandering by the reveals, drawing sea creatures that got here to life on large screens,

(the Pilot did this wonderful turtle!)

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

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

I undoubtedly advocate this in the event you’re touring with youngsters, however the adults have been simply as entertained.

I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets in the event 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 are tremendous scrumptious and likewise cheap. The smoothies have been the most effective!! 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 reside sooner or later.

Driving the bullet practice to Kyoto

I’d heard that in the event you’re already in Tokyo, it’s value taking the practice to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a unique facet of Japan.

I didn’t wish to journey all the best way internationally and miss it, so we added Kyoto to our itinerary and I’m so glad we did.

Kyoto deserves and is getting a whole weblog put up of its personal as a result of it was actually magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automobile (the equal of top quality) on the best way there, which was pretty 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 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 practice earlier than (moreover Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Approach much less trouble than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious buying

When you love designer luggage, 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.

When you’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, deliver your passport everytime you’re buying as a result of many shops supply on the spot tax-free purchases for vacationers so that you don’t should 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 power of your entire space. There are large video screens, infinite buying, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals transferring by the intersection in each course.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross once they’re presupposed 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 day-after-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 buying, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a motive, and we cherished it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I believe it’s a type of locations you must expertise at the least as soon as!

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