Sharing a recap of what we did in Tokyo, the place we stayed and already trying ahead to going again.
Hello buddies! How are you?? I hope you’re having a beautiful morning. I’ve a number of content material to file right now – 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 up to now:
Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate
Tokyo recap and why I really like Japan (this publish)
Kyoto itinerary and ideas for journey to Japan
What we ate in Japan (and gf picks)
Tokyo recap and why I really like Japan
I’ve been avoiding penning this publish as a result of the fact is that I’ve Japression.
Often I really feel somewhat down after coming dwelling from a visit, however that is subsequent stage. It usually hits me onerous that I can not stroll exterior all day (it’s manner too sizzling right here and Tucson is certainly not walkable), discover new locations, spend uninterrupted time with the fam, eat unbelievable 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 largest issues I seen was the stage of delight folks absorb 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 best possible, and it was inspiring to see. Folks had been type and welcoming, every part 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 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 all the time. Regardless that you’re surrounded by vivid 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 could possibly 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 deliver 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 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 international locations 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 completely different whereas additionally complementing one another completely. Should 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 when you do each, I extremely suggest beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the proper 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 value visiting for the meals scene!!)
After our Kyoto journey, we stayed in Ginza correct, which was a beautiful location stuffed with luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, shops, and limitless buying.
We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (identical resort model, two completely different places) utilizing our Amex Platinum advantages. I most popular the situation of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt somewhat quieter and extra native, however the precise resort and facilities had been nicer on the Ginza location. (We stayed at one location for just a few 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 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 continually and are about to go on Disney Cruise #8. We simply don’t have Disney decor in our home, however I feel we examine the entire different bins. 😉
In fact 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 children and adults.
(the youngsters approve the entire images 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 trip expertise 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), superbly finished, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.
We additionally beloved Journey to the Heart of the Earth, Rapunzel was beautiful (the lantern scene was every part), and Sinbad ended up being one in all our shock favorites. It’s sort 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 part 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. 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 cheaper than the U.S. parks. A large hen 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 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 shortly. I used to be in a position to buy just a few, however the entire 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 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 just a few completely different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the reveals are continually altering. You possibly can stroll by a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it appears to be like 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 gentle installations, and taking so many images and movies.
It’s a type of experiences that’s onerous to clarify till you see it your self.
I positively suggest this when you’re touring with children, however the adults had been simply as entertained.
I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets when 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 seemed 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 stated, Korea and Japan reside sooner or later.
Using the bullet practice to Kyoto
I’d heard that when you’re already in Tokyo, it’s value taking the practice to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a unique aspect of Japan.
I didn’t need to journey all the way in which 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 publish of its personal as a result of it was really magical.
We rode the Inexperienced Automobile (the equal of firstclass) 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 Specific!) and it was such a cool expertise. Approach much less problem than flying and felt simply as fast!
Classic luxurious buying
Should you 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.
Should you’re available in the market 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 need to take care of it on the airport.
Shibuya Crossing
We needed to go to the well-known Shibuya Crossing.
Footage don’t actually do it justice as a result of it’s much less concerning the crossing itself and extra concerning the power of all the space. There are large video screens, limitless buying, eating places, lights, music, and hundreds of individuals transferring by the intersection in each course.
It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Folks wait patiently, cross after they’re purported 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 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 encompassing streets, did some buying, 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 type of locations you must expertise a minimum of as soon as!
Seems that this publish didn’t assist my Japression in any respect, however I’ve just a few 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 pleased to reply any questions, too!!
(costume from RTR and my beloved Vejas <– go-to journey strolling footwear)
So, inform me, buddies: what’s in your trip dream record? Something enjoyable deliberate that’s developing??
xo
Gina