Tokyo recap and why I like Japan

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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 stunning morning. I’ve a whole lot of content material to document immediately – Therapeutic Code re-launches on Monday! – and am going to catch an higher physique exercise and the therapeutic massage chair on the health club.

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

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

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 expertise

Tokyo recap and why I like Japan

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

Often I really feel slightly down after coming dwelling from a visit, however that is subsequent degree. It usually hits me onerous that I can now 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 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 seen was the degree of satisfaction individuals absorb 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 practice station. Everybody appeared dedicated to doing their very best, and it was inspiring to see. Individuals have been type and welcoming, every little thing felt extremely protected, and I felt the perfect 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 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 shocked me most was how calm my nervous system felt the whole time. Regardless that you’re surrounded by vibrant lights, big buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. The whole lot is so organized and orderly that your physique really appears like it could actually chill out. 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 selection for a trip. I knew it might 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 concept how particular these nations are. I already can’t wait to return.

Individuals maintain asking if I most well-liked Korea or Japan, and I can’t select as a result of they’re so completely 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 should you do each, I extremely suggest beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the proper combo. 🙂

Listed here are among 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 stunning location crammed with luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, malls, and countless buying.

We booked the KOKO Lodge for each stays (similar lodge model, two completely different places) utilizing our Amex Platinum advantages. I most well-liked the situation of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt slightly 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, protected, 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 individuals,” despite the fact 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 feel we test the entire 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-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 have been unimaginable.

The animatronics, particular results, projection mapping, storytelling, and experience know-how 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 achieved, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.

We additionally cherished Journey to the Heart of the Earth, Rapunzel was beautiful (the lantern scene was every little thing), and Sinbad ended up being considered one of our shock favorites. It’s form of like It’s a Small World, however with a banger theme music 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 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. Once 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 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 dwelling.

Our park tickets and even the paid experience 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 experience reservation choices (known as DPA within the app) promote out shortly. I used to be capable of buy a couple 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 night time we visited, and plenty of meals places stopped serving round 7-8 p.m., so I positively 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 completely different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the displays are continuously altering. You may stroll via a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems utterly completely different.

We spent hours wandering via the displays, 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 kind of experiences that’s onerous to clarify till you see it your self.

I positively suggest this should you’re touring with youngsters, 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 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 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.

Driving the bullet practice to Kyoto

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

I didn’t need 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 complete weblog put up of its personal as a result of it was really magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automotive (the equal of top notch) on the best way there, which was beautiful 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 cherished… I’d by no means actually been on a practice earlier than (apart from Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Manner much less problem 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 all over the place, and most of the items are in nice situation and look model new.

If you happen to’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 buying as a result of many shops supply on the spot 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 power of the whole space. There are large video screens, countless buying, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals shifting via the intersection in each route.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross after they’re imagined 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 daily, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s considered one of Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in individual 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 purpose, and we cherished it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I feel it’s a kind of locations you must expertise a minimum of 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 the entire 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!!