Sharing a recap of what we did in Tokyo, the place we stayed and already trying ahead to going again.
Hello associates! How are you?? I hope you’re having a beautiful morning. I’ve lots of content material to file at the moment – Therapeutic Code re-launches on Monday! – and am going to catch an higher physique exercise and the therapeutic massage chair on the health club.
At this time, 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 submit)
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 submit as a result of the fact is that I’ve Japression.
Normally I really feel a bit of down after coming house from a visit, however that is subsequent stage. It usually hits me exhausting that I can now not stroll exterior all day (it’s approach 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 truthfully felt like one other planet.
One of many greatest issues I seen was the stage of delight 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 had been form and welcoming, every little thing felt extremely protected, and I felt the most effective I’ve felt in a extremely 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 complete time. Although you’re surrounded by brilliant lights, enormous buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. All the things is so organized and orderly that your physique really appears like it may possibly calm down. I didn’t understand how a lot I wanted that feeling till I skilled it. Since we’ve been house, I’ve been making an attempt 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 selection for a trip. I knew it will 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 international locations are. I already can’t wait to return.
Individuals hold 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. 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 in the event you do each, I extremely advocate 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 the most effective 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 beautiful location stuffed with luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, malls, and infinite buying.
We booked the KOKO Lodge for each stays (similar lodge model, two totally different areas) utilizing our Amex Platinum advantages. I most well-liked the placement 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 couple of 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 all over the 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 continually 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 packing containers. 😉
After all 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 youngsters and adults.
(the youngsters approve the entire images I submit 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 trip expertise far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is one in all my favourite rides and the Tokyo model fully blew the U.S. model out of the water. It’s longer, extra immersive (3D), superbly achieved, 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 sort of like It’s a Small World, however with a banger theme tune 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 little 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.
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 totally different flavors, so folks actually accumulate popcorn buckets and stroll round making an attempt all of them.
It’s additionally value mentioning that every little thing was dramatically cheaper than the U.S. parks. An enormous hen leg was round 800 yen (about $5 USD), in comparison with $15 – 20 at house.
Our park tickets and even the paid trip 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 trip 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 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 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 couple of totally different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the displays are continually altering. You may stroll via a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it appears fully totally different.
We spent hours wandering via the displays, drawing sea creatures that got here to life on big screens,
(the Pilot did this wonderful turtle!)
getting misplaced within the mild installations, and taking so many images and movies.
It’s a type of experiences that’s exhausting to clarify till you see it your self.
I positively advocate this in the event you’re touring with youngsters, however the adults had been simply as entertained.
I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets in the event 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 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 the most effective!! 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 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 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 complete weblog submit of its personal as a result of it was actually magical.
We rode the Inexperienced Automotive (the equal of top notch) on the best way there, which was beautiful 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 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 singular reminiscence that I cherished… I’d by no means actually been on a prepare earlier than (in addition to Polar Specific!) and it was such a cool expertise. Method much less problem than flying and felt simply as fast!
Classic luxurious buying
When you love designer baggage, 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.
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 buying as a result of many shops supply immediate tax-free purchases for vacationers so that you don’t should 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 complete space. There are big video screens, infinite buying, eating places, lights, music, and 1000’s of individuals transferring via the intersection in each route.
It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross once they’re purported 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 one in all Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in individual felt surprisingly emotional.
We took images, 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 you need to expertise at the least 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 the entire wonderful meals we ate (together with GF choices), a Kyoto recap and ideas for touring to Japan, and am joyful to reply any questions, too!!
(gown from RTR and my beloved Vejas <– go-to journey strolling sneakers)
So, inform me, associates: what’s in your trip dream checklist? Something enjoyable deliberate that’s arising??
xo
Gina
