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 associates! 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 fitness center.

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

Listed below are our Japan and Korea recap posts up to now:

Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate

Tokyo recap and why I like Japan (this publish)

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 publish as a result of the fact is that I’ve Japression.

Normally I really feel just a little down after coming residence from a visit, however that is subsequent stage. It usually hits me onerous that I can not stroll outdoors all day (it’s manner too scorching right here and Tucson is unquestionably not walkable), discover new locations, spend uninterrupted time with the fam, eat unbelievable 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 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 greatest issues I seen was the stage of delight 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 prepare station. Everybody appeared dedicated to doing their very best, and it was inspiring to see. Individuals had been sort and welcoming, the whole lot felt extremely secure, and I felt the perfect I’ve felt in a very 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 your entire time. Despite the fact that you’re surrounded by shiny lights, big buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. All the pieces is so organized and orderly that your physique really appears like it may calm down. 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 onerous 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 could be enjoyable, however I felt overwhelmed by the planning and wasn’t positive 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 international locations are. I already can’t wait to return.

Individuals 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. 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 should you do each, I extremely suggest beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the right combo. 🙂

Listed below 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 price visiting for the meals scene!!)

After our Kyoto journey, we stayed in Ginza correct, which was a beautiful location full of luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, shops, and infinite 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 just a little quieter and extra native, however the precise lodge and facilities had 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 virtually in every single place 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 consistently and are about to go on Disney Cruise #8. We simply don’t have Disney decor in our home, however I believe we test all the different bins. 😉

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

(the youngsters approve all the pictures I publish and Liv requested me to place a coronary heart on her face for this one)

The rides had been unbelievable.

The animatronics, particular results, projection mapping, storytelling, and experience expertise far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is one among my favourite rides and the Tokyo model fully blew the U.S. model out of the water. It’s longer, extra immersive (3D), superbly carried out, 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 the whole lot), and Sinbad ended up being one among 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 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.

In addition they have distinctive popcorn flavors in every single 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 totally different flavors, so individuals actually accumulate 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 residence.

Our park tickets and even the paid experience reservations had 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 experience reservation choices (known as DPA within the app) promote out shortly. I used to be capable of buy a couple of, however all the 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 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 totally different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the displays are consistently altering. You’ll be able to stroll via a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it appears to be like fully totally 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 gentle 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 had 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 turned 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 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 had 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.

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 distinct facet of Japan.

I didn’t need to journey all the way in which 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 publish of its personal as a result of it was actually magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automobile (the equal of first-class) 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 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 singular reminiscence that I cherished… I’d by no means actually been on a prepare earlier than (apart from Polar Specific!) and it was such a cool expertise. Manner much less problem 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 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 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 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 shifting via the intersection in each path.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross after they’re speculated to, and no one 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 daily, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s one among 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 purpose, and we cherished it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I believe it’s a kind of locations you must expertise at the very least as soon as!

Seems that this publish 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 ideas for touring to Japan, and am joyful to reply any questions, too!!

(dress from RTR and my beloved Vejas <– go-to journey strolling footwear)

So, inform me, associates: what’s in your trip dream checklist? Something enjoyable deliberate that’s developing??

xo

Gina