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 stunning morning. I’ve lots of content material to document at this time – Therapeutic Code re-launches on Monday! – and am going to catch an higher physique exercise and the therapeutic massage chair on the gymnasium.
At present, I’m sharing the primary of my Japan posts!
Listed below are our Japan and Korea recap posts to date:
Seoul recap, what we did and what we ate
Tokyo recap and why I really 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 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 a little bit down after coming dwelling from a visit, however that is subsequent degree. It usually hits me arduous that I can not stroll exterior all day (it’s approach 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 observed was the degree of satisfaction folks soak up every little thing 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. Individuals have been variety and welcoming, every little thing felt extremely protected, and I felt one of the best I’ve felt in a extremely very long time whereas we have been there.
I additionally observed 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 the whole time. Although you’re surrounded by shiny lights, enormous buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. All the pieces is so organized and orderly that your physique really seems 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 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 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 wish to go to once more. Now I really feel so naive as a result of I had no thought how particular these nations are. I already can’t wait to return.
Individuals maintain asking if I most well-liked 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 the event 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 value 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, department shops, and infinite buying.
We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (similar lodge model, two completely different places) utilizing our Amex Platinum advantages. I most well-liked the placement of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt a little bit 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 quick journey to Kyoto and the opposite one afterwards.)
One factor I cherished about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, protected, 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,” though 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 believe we test the entire different containers. 😉
In fact we needed 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 the entire photographs I publish 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 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), fantastically accomplished, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.
We additionally cherished Journey to the Heart of the Earth, Rapunzel was attractive (the lantern scene was every little thing), and Sinbad ended up being one in all 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 large!).
The meals was additionally a lot enjoyable.
We utterly fell in love with muscat-flavored every little thing 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.
In addition 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 completely different flavors, so folks actually acquire popcorn buckets and stroll round attempting all of them.
It’s additionally value mentioning that every little thing 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 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 most of the trip reservation choices (known as DPA within the app) promote out shortly. 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 places 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 just a few completely different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the displays are consistently altering. You possibly can stroll by means of a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems to be utterly completely different.
We spent hours wandering by means 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 type of experiences that’s arduous to elucidate till you see it your self.
I undoubtedly suggest this in the event you’re touring with youngsters, however the adults have been simply as entertained.
I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets in the event 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 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 stated, Korea and Japan live sooner or later.
Driving the bullet prepare to Kyoto
I’d heard that in the event you’re already in Tokyo, it’s value taking the prepare to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a distinct aspect of Japan.
I didn’t wish 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 firstclass) on the best way there, which was beautiful and comfy. 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 (moreover Polar Specific!) and it was such a cool expertise. Method much less trouble than flying and felt simply as fast!
Classic luxurious buying
If you happen to 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.
If you happen to’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, convey your passport everytime you’re buying as a result of many shops supply instantaneous 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.
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, infinite buying, eating places, lights, music, and hundreds of individuals transferring by means of the intersection in each path.
It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross after they’re speculated to, and no one 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 every single day, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s one in all Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in individual felt surprisingly emotional.
We took photographs, wandered the encircling streets, did some buying, 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 type of locations you must 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 wonderful meals we ate (together with GF choices), a Kyoto recap and suggestions for touring to Japan, and am comfortable to reply any questions, too!!
(gown from RTR and my beloved Vejas <– go-to journey strolling footwear)
So, inform me, buddies: what’s in your trip dream listing? Something enjoyable deliberate that’s arising??
xo
Gina
Retry later
