Sharing a recap of what we did in Tokyo, the place we stayed and already wanting ahead to going again.
Hello associates! How are you?? I hope you’re having a stunning morning. I’ve a variety 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.
At present, 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 like Japan (this publish)
Kyoto itinerary and suggestions for journey to Japan
What we ate in Japan (and gf picks)
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.
Often I really feel a bit of down after coming residence from a visit, however that is subsequent degree. It usually hits me onerous that I can not stroll outdoors all day (it’s method too scorching 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 an alternative, 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 actually felt like one other planet.
One of many greatest issues I observed was the degree of delight 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 best possible, and it was inspiring to see. Folks had been form and welcoming, all the things felt extremely secure, and I felt the very best I’ve felt in a very very long time whereas we had 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. Despite the fact that you’re surrounded by shiny lights, enormous buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. The whole lot is so organized and orderly that your physique truly appears like it will probably chill out. I didn’t understand how a lot I wanted that feeling till I skilled it. Since we’ve been residence, I’ve been attempting actually onerous to deliver 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 international locations are. I already can’t wait to return.
Folks 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. For those who 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 advocate beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the proper 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 the very best sushi of your life. (The well-known tuna auctions have moved to Toyosu Market, however Tsukiji continues 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, shops, and infinite procuring.
We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (identical lodge model, two totally different areas) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most well-liked the situation of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt a bit of quieter and extra native, however the precise lodge and facilities had been nicer on the Ginza location. (We stayed at one location for a number of days earlier than our quick journey to Kyoto and the opposite one afterwards.)
One factor I liked 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 at all times 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 examine all the different packing containers. 😉
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 usually thought-about the higher park for older children and adults.
(the children approve all the photographs I publish 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 experience expertise far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is one in every of my favourite rides and the Tokyo model fully blew the U.S. model out of the water. It’s longer, extra immersive (3D), superbly accomplished, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.
We additionally liked Journey to the Heart of the Earth, Rapunzel was beautiful (the lantern scene was all the things), and Sinbad ended up being one in every of 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 fully fell in love with muscat-flavored all the things 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.
Additionally 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 totally different flavors, so individuals actually accumulate popcorn buckets and stroll round attempting all of them.
It’s additionally value mentioning that all the things was dramatically inexpensive 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 definitely worth the flight proper there.
The one draw back is that most of the experience reservation choices (known as DPA within the app) promote out rapidly. I used to be capable of buy a number 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 positively advocate prioritizing rides early and planning dinner earlier than issues start shutting down.
teamLab Borderless
This was an absolute must-do.
Tokyo has a number of totally 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 fully totally 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 onerous to elucidate till you see it your self.
I positively advocate 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 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 turned 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 can be tremendous scrumptious and in addition cheap. The smoothies had 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 live sooner or later.
Driving the bullet prepare to Kyoto
I’d heard that when you’re already in Tokyo, it’s value taking the prepare to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a unique aspect 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 whole weblog publish of its personal as a result of it was really magical.
We rode the Inexperienced Automotive (the equal of top notch) on the way in which there, which was pretty and comfy. 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 liked… I’d by no means actually been on a prepare earlier than (in addition to Polar Categorical!) and it was such a cool expertise. Approach much less trouble than flying and felt simply as fast!
Classic luxurious procuring
For those who love designer luggage, 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.
For those who’re out there for a Louis Vuitton bag, Gucci, Chanel, Rolex, or different luxurious items, I’d completely store in Japan earlier than shopping for elsewhere.
Additionally, deliver your passport everytime you’re procuring as a result of many shops supply immediate tax-free purchases for vacationers so that you don’t must 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 in regards to the crossing itself and extra in regards to the vitality of the whole space. There are large video screens, infinite procuring, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals transferring by way of the intersection in each route.
It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Folks wait patiently, cross once they’re imagined to, and no person 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 every of Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in particular person felt surprisingly emotional.
We took photographs, wandered the encircling streets, did some procuring, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a cause, and we liked it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I feel it’s a kind of locations it’s a must to expertise at the very least as soon as!
Seems that this publish didn’t assist my Japression in any respect, however I’ve a number of extra to go. I’ll be sharing all the wonderful meals we ate (together with GF choices), a Kyoto recap and suggestions for touring to Japan, and am pleased to reply any questions, too!!
(dress from RTR and my beloved Vejas <– go-to journey strolling sneakers)
So, inform me, associates: what’s in your trip dream record? Something enjoyable deliberate that’s developing??
xo
Gina
