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 beautiful morning. I’ve numerous content material to report 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 health club.
As we speak, 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 scripting this submit as a result of the truth is that I’ve Japression.
Often I really feel a bit of down after coming residence from a visit, however that is subsequent stage. It usually hits me onerous that I can not stroll outdoors all day (it’s manner too scorching 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 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 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 pleasure folks absorb every thing 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. Folks had been variety and welcoming, every thing felt extremely protected, and I felt one of the best 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 the whole time. Though you’re surrounded by brilliant lights, big buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. Every thing is so organized and orderly that your physique really looks like it may loosen up. I didn’t understand how a lot I wanted that feeling till I skilled it. Since we’ve been residence, 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 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 need 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.
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. 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 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 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 one of the best sushi of your life. (The well-known tuna auctions have moved to Toyosu Market, however Tsukiji remains to be completely price 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, department shops, and countless buying.
We booked the KOKO Resort for each stays (identical resort model, two totally different places) utilizing our Amex Platinum advantages. 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 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 cherished about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, protected, and straightforward to navigate. We may stroll virtually in every single place and simply took an Uber when wanted.
Tokyo DisneySea
I at all times say we’re not “Disney folks,” regardless 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 test the entire different containers. 😉
In fact we wished 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 of the higher park for older children and adults.
(the children approve the entire photographs I submit 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 journey know-how far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is considered one of my favourite rides and the Tokyo model utterly blew the U.S. model out of the water. It’s longer, extra immersive (3D), fantastically achieved, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.
We additionally cherished Journey to the Middle of the Earth, Rapunzel was beautiful (the lantern scene was every thing), and Sinbad ended up being considered one of our shock favorites. It’s sort of like It’s a Small World, however with a banger theme tune 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 thing 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 totally different flavors, so folks actually accumulate popcorn buckets and stroll round making an attempt all of them.
It’s additionally price mentioning that every thing 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 residence.
Our park tickets and even the paid journey 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 journey reservation choices (referred to as DPA within the app) promote out rapidly. 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 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 continuously altering. You may stroll by means of a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it appears to be like utterly totally different.
We spent hours wandering by means of the reveals, drawing sea creatures that got here to life on large screens,
(the Pilot did this superb turtle!)
getting misplaced within the gentle installations, and taking so many photographs and movies.
It’s a type of experiences that’s onerous to clarify till you see it your self.
I positively advocate this if you happen to’re touring with children, however the adults had been simply as entertained.
I’ve additionally heard superb issues about teamLab Planets if you happen to’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 appeared ahead to consuming at comfort shops (konbini) in Japan.
They’ve fruit sandwiches, egg sandwiches, onigiri, coffees, glowing drinks, smoothies, and desserts which might be tremendous scrumptious and in addition cheap. The smoothies had 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 live sooner or later.
Driving the bullet practice to Kyoto
I’d heard that if you happen to’re already in Tokyo, it’s price taking the practice to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a unique aspect of Japan.
I didn’t need to journey all the best way the world over 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 submit of its personal as a result of it was really magical.
We rode the Inexperienced Automobile (the equal of top quality) 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 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 cherished… I’d by no means actually been on a practice earlier than (moreover Polar Categorical!) 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 luggage, 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, deliver your passport everytime you’re buying as a result of many shops provide on the spot tax-free purchases for vacationers so that you don’t must cope with 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, countless buying, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals shifting by means of the intersection in each course.
It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Folks wait patiently, cross once they’re presupposed 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 day-after-day, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s considered one 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 buying, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a motive, and we cherished it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I feel it’s a type of locations it’s important to expertise at the very least as soon as!
Seems that this submit 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 joyful to reply any questions, too!!
(costume from RTR and my beloved Vejas
So, inform me, pals: what’s in your trip dream record? Something enjoyable deliberate that’s developing??
xo
Gina
