Sharing a recap of what we did in Tokyo, the place we stayed and already wanting ahead to going again.
Hello pals! How are you?? I hope you’re having a stunning morning. I’ve quite a lot of content material to document right now – 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 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)
Tokyo recap and why I like Japan
I’ve been avoiding penning this submit as a result of the truth is that I’ve Japression.
Normally I really feel just a little down after coming dwelling from a visit, however that is subsequent degree. It usually hits me onerous that I can not stroll exterior all day (it’s means too sizzling 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 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 actually felt like one other planet.
One of many largest issues I seen was the degree of satisfaction folks soak up 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 very best, and it was inspiring to see. Individuals have been type and welcoming, every part felt extremely secure, and I felt one of the best I’ve felt in a very very long time whereas we have 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 stunned me most was how calm my nervous system felt your entire time. Despite the fact that you’re surrounded by brilliant 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 could actually calm down. I didn’t understand 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 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 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.
Individuals preserve 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. 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 in case you do each, I extremely advocate beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the right combo. 🙂
Listed here 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 value visiting for the meals scene!!)
After our Kyoto journey, we stayed in Ginza correct, which was a stunning location stuffed with luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, department shops, and infinite procuring.
We booked the KOKO Lodge for each stays (similar resort model, two completely different areas) utilizing our Amex Platinum advantages. I most popular the placement of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt just a little quieter and extra native, however the precise resort and facilities have been nicer on the Ginza location. (We stayed at one location for a couple of days earlier than our brief 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 might stroll virtually all over the place and simply took an Uber when wanted.
Tokyo DisneySea
I all the time say we’re not “Disney folks,” regardless that 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 feel we test all the different containers. 😉
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 typically thought-about the higher park for older youngsters and adults.
(the youngsters approve all the images I submit and Liv requested me to place a coronary heart on her face for this one)
The rides have been unbelievable.
The animatronics, particular results, projection mapping, storytelling, and journey 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), 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 every part), and Sinbad ended up being one among 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 big!).
The meals was additionally a lot enjoyable.
We fully fell in love with muscat-flavored every part 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. 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 rooster leg was round 800 yen (about $5 USD), in comparison with $15 – 20 at dwelling.
Our park tickets and even the paid journey 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 journey 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 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 evening we visited, and lots 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 a couple of completely different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the displays are consistently altering. You may stroll by means of a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it appears fully completely different.
We spent hours wandering by means of the displays, 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 images and movies.
It’s a type of experiences that’s onerous to clarify till you see it your self.
I undoubtedly advocate this in case you’re touring with youngsters, however the adults have been simply as entertained.
I’ve additionally heard superb issues about teamLab Planets in case 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 wish to eat at 7-Eleven within the U.S., however there have been dozens of issues I appeared 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 likewise cheap. The smoothies have 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 mentioned, Korea and Japan reside sooner or later.
Driving the bullet practice to Kyoto
I’d heard that in case you’re already in Tokyo, it’s value taking the practice to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a unique facet of Japan.
I didn’t wish 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 complete weblog submit 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 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 singular reminiscence that I beloved… I’d by no means actually been on a practice earlier than (apart from Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Method much less problem than flying and felt simply as fast!
Classic luxurious procuring
If you happen to love designer luggage, 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 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.
Footage 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 big video screens, infinite procuring, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals shifting by means of the intersection in each path.
It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross once they’re speculated 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 day by day, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s one among Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in individual felt surprisingly emotional.
We took images, wandered the encompassing streets, did some procuring, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a cause, 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 submit didn’t assist my Japression in any respect, however I’ve a couple of extra to go. I’ll be sharing all the superb meals we ate (together with GF choices), a Kyoto recap and ideas for touring to Japan, and am completely satisfied to reply any questions, too!!
(gown from RTR and my beloved Vejas <– go-to journey strolling footwear)
So, inform me, pals: what’s in your trip dream listing? Something enjoyable deliberate that’s developing??
xo
Gina