Tokyo recap and why I really like Japan

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

Hello pals! How are you?? I hope you’re having a beautiful morning. I’ve a variety of content material to document in the present day – 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 really 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 really like Japan

I’ve been avoiding scripting 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 arduous that I can not stroll exterior all day (it’s manner 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 a substitute, 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 in contrast to 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 seen was the stage of pleasure folks soak up the whole lot 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 best possible, and it was inspiring to see. Folks have been variety and welcoming, the whole lot felt extremely protected, and I felt one of the best 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 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 shocked me most was how calm my nervous system felt the complete time. Regardless that you’re surrounded by brilliant lights, enormous buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. Every thing is so organized and orderly that your physique truly appears like it might chill out. 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 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 need 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 hold asking if I most popular 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 one of the 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 crammed with luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, malls, and infinite procuring.

We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (similar resort model, two totally different areas) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most popular the placement 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 brief journey to Kyoto and the opposite one afterwards.)

One factor I liked 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 all the time say we’re not “Disney folks,” despite the fact 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 test the entire 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-about the higher park for older children and adults.

(the children approve the entire 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 one in all my favourite rides and the Tokyo model utterly 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 liked Journey to the Middle of the Earth, Rapunzel was attractive (the lantern scene was the whole lot), and Sinbad ended up being one in all our shock favorites. It’s type of like It’s a Small World, however with a banger theme tune and a few spectacular animatronics (just like the inexperienced big!).

The meals was additionally a lot enjoyable.

We utterly fell in love with muscat-flavored the whole lot 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 folks 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. A large hen 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 most of the trip 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 evening we visited, and plenty of meals areas 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 a number 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 a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems utterly totally different.

We spent hours wandering by the reveals, 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 images and movies.

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

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

I’ve additionally heard superb 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 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 need 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 can be tremendous scrumptious and in addition cheap. The smoothies have 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 mentioned, Korea and Japan live sooner or later.

Driving the bullet practice to Kyoto

I’d heard that for those who’re already in Tokyo, it’s price taking the practice to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a unique 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 whole weblog publish 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 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 liked… I’d by no means actually been on a practice earlier than (apart from Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Means much less trouble than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious procuring

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

There are classic luxurious shops in every single place, and most 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’d completely store in Japan earlier than shopping for elsewhere.

Additionally, convey your passport everytime you’re procuring as a result of many shops supply instantaneous 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.

Photos don’t actually do it justice as a result of it’s much less concerning the crossing itself and extra concerning the vitality of the complete space. There are big video screens, infinite procuring, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals shifting by the intersection in each path.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Folks wait patiently, cross after they’re alleged 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 each day, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s one in all Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in particular person felt surprisingly emotional.

We took images, wandered the encircling streets, did some procuring, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a purpose, and we liked it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I feel it’s a type of locations you must expertise not less than 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 superb meals we ate (together with GF choices), a Kyoto recap and suggestions for touring to Japan, and am blissful to reply any questions, too!!