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 mates! How are you?? I hope you’re having a stunning morning. I’ve quite a 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 fitness center.

In the present day, 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 submit)

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

Normally I really feel a bit of down after coming dwelling from a visit, however that is subsequent degree. It usually hits me arduous that I can now not stroll outdoors all day (it’s means 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 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 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 degree of satisfaction individuals soak up all the pieces 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 had been type and welcoming, all the pieces 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 whole time. Though you’re surrounded by vibrant lights, enormous buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. Every thing is so organized and orderly that your physique really appears like it might loosen up. I didn’t notice how a lot I wanted that feeling till I skilled it. Since we’ve been dwelling, I’ve been attempting 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 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 concept how particular these nations are. I already can’t wait to return.

Folks 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. 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 in case you do each, I extremely suggest beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the proper combo. 🙂

Listed below 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 full of luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, shops, and countless procuring.

We booked the KOKO Lodge for each stays (identical resort 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 resort 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 beloved about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, secure, and simple to navigate. We may stroll virtually in all places 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 verify all the 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 typically thought of the higher park for older youngsters and adults.

(the children approve all the photographs I submit 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 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 finished, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.

We additionally beloved Journey to the Heart of the Earth, Rapunzel was attractive (the lantern scene was all the pieces), 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 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 all the pieces 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 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 attempting all of them.

It’s additionally price mentioning that all the pieces was dramatically cheaper than the U.S. parks. A large rooster leg was round 800 yen (about $5 USD), in comparison with $15 – 20 at dwelling.

Our park tickets and even the paid trip 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 most of the trip reservation choices (referred to as DPA within the app) promote out rapidly. I used to be in a position to 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 evening we visited, and lots of meals areas stopped serving round 7-8 p.m., so I undoubtedly 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 possibly can stroll by way of a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it appears to be like utterly completely different.

We spent hours wandering by way of 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 photographs and movies.

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

I undoubtedly suggest this in case you’re touring with youngsters, however the adults had been simply as entertained.

I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets in case you’re attempting 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 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.

Using the bullet practice to Kyoto

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

I didn’t wish 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 whole weblog submit of its personal as a result of it was actually magical.

We rode the Inexperienced Automotive (the equal of top quality) on the way in which there, which was pretty 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 novel reminiscence that I beloved… I’d by no means actually been on a practice earlier than (moreover Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Means much less problem than flying and felt simply as fast!

Classic luxurious procuring

In case you love designer baggage, watches, jewellery, or equipment, Tokyo is heaven.

There are classic luxurious shops in all places, and most of the items are in nice situation and look model new.

In case 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, convey your passport everytime you’re procuring as a result of many shops supply prompt tax-free purchases for vacationers so that you don’t need to 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 concerning the crossing itself and extra concerning the power of the whole space. There are large video screens, countless procuring, eating places, lights, music, and hundreds of individuals transferring by way of the intersection in each route.

It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Folks wait patiently, cross after 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 day by day, 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 photographs, wandered the encompassing streets, did some procuring, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a motive, and we beloved it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I feel it’s a kind of locations it’s important to expertise no less than as soon as!

Seems that this submit 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!!