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 beautiful morning. I’ve a whole lot of content material to file 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 fitness center.
In the present day, 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 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 scripting this publish 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 exhausting that I can now not stroll exterior 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 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 observed was the degree of satisfaction individuals absorb all the things 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. Folks have been sort and welcoming, all the things felt extremely protected, and I felt the very best I’ve felt in a very very long time whereas we have been there.
I additionally observed 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. 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 truly appears like it could possibly 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 exhausting 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 could 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.
Folks preserve 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. 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 if you happen to do each, I extremely advocate beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the right combo. 🙂
Listed here are a few 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 the very best 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 full of luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, shops, and limitless procuring.
We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (identical lodge model, two totally different areas) utilizing our Amex Platinum advantages. I most popular 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 just a few days earlier than our brief journey to Kyoto and the opposite one afterwards.)
One factor I cherished about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, protected, and simple 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 individuals,” although 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 believe we verify 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 of the higher park for older youngsters and adults.
(the children approve the entire photographs 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 certainly one of my favourite rides and the Tokyo model fully 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 cherished Journey to the Middle of the Earth, Rapunzel was attractive (the lantern scene was all the things), and Sinbad ended up being certainly 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 big!).
The meals was additionally a lot enjoyable.
We fully fell in love with muscat-flavored all the things 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 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 gather popcorn buckets and stroll round attempting all of them.
It’s additionally value mentioning that all the things 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 trip reservations have 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 trip reservation choices (known as DPA within the app) promote out rapidly. I used to be capable of buy just a few, 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 areas stopped serving round 7-8 p.m., so I undoubtedly advocate 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 totally different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the reveals are continually altering. You’ll be able to stroll by means of a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it appears fully totally different.
We spent hours wandering by means of the reveals, drawing sea creatures that got here to life on big screens,
(the Pilot did this superb turtle!)
getting misplaced within the mild installations, and taking so many photographs and movies.
It’s a kind of experiences that’s exhausting to elucidate till you see it your self.
I undoubtedly advocate this if you happen to’re touring with youngsters, however the adults have been simply as entertained.
I’ve additionally heard superb issues about teamLab Planets if you happen to’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 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 have been the very 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 reside sooner or later.
Driving the bullet prepare to Kyoto
I’d heard that if you happen to’re already in Tokyo, it’s value taking the prepare to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a special aspect 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 whole weblog publish of its personal as a result of it was really magical.
We rode the Inexperienced Automotive (the equal of top quality) 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 cherished… I’d by no means actually been on a prepare earlier than (apart from Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Method much less trouble than flying and felt simply as fast!
Classic luxurious procuring
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 procuring as a result of many shops supply prompt tax-free purchases for vacationers so that you don’t should 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 the whole space. There are big video screens, limitless procuring, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals transferring by means of the intersection in each route.
It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Folks wait patiently, cross after they’re imagined 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 daily, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s certainly 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 cause, and we cherished it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I believe it’s a kind of locations it’s important to expertise at the least 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 superb 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!!
(costume from RTR and my beloved Vejas <– go-to journey strolling footwear)
So, inform me, pals: what’s in your trip dream record? Something enjoyable deliberate that’s developing??
xo
Gina
