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 a whole lot of 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 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 put up)
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 penning this put up as a result of the fact is that I’ve Japression.
Normally I really feel slightly down after coming dwelling from a visit, however that is subsequent stage. It usually hits me onerous that I can now not stroll exterior all day (it’s method too sizzling right here and Tucson is unquestionably 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 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 greatest issues I seen was the stage of satisfaction individuals 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 best possible, and it was inspiring to see. Individuals had been variety and welcoming, every thing felt extremely protected, and I felt the very best 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 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 all the time. Although you’re surrounded by brilliant 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 looks like it might probably loosen up. I didn’t understand how a lot I wanted that feeling till I skilled it. Since we’ve been dwelling, I’ve been attempting actually onerous to carry 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 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.
Individuals maintain 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. In case 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 suggest 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 the very 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 stunning location crammed with luxurious shops (together with the multi-story Tiffany flagship), eating places, shops, and countless buying.
We booked the KOKO Lodge for each stays (similar 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 slightly 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 brief journey to Kyoto and the opposite one afterwards.)
One factor I beloved about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, protected, and straightforward 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,” though 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 believe we examine the entire different bins. 😉
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-about the higher park for older children and adults.
(the youngsters approve the entire pictures I put up 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 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 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 thing), and Sinbad ended up being considered one of 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 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 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 gather popcorn buckets and stroll round attempting 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 dwelling.
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 lots of the experience 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 night time we visited, and lots of meals places stopped serving round 7-8 p.m., so I positively 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 totally different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the reveals are continuously altering. You possibly can stroll via a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems to be utterly totally different.
We spent hours wandering via the reveals, drawing sea creatures that got here to life on large screens,
(the Pilot did this superb turtle!)
getting misplaced within the mild installations, and taking so many pictures and movies.
It’s a kind of experiences that’s onerous to elucidate till you see it your self.
I positively suggest this in the event you’re touring with children, however the adults had been simply as entertained.
I’ve additionally heard superb 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 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 need 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 are tremendous scrumptious and likewise 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 stated, Korea and Japan reside sooner or later.
Driving the bullet practice to Kyoto
I’d heard that in the event you’re already in Tokyo, it’s price taking the practice to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a special aspect of Japan.
I didn’t need 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 put up of its personal as a result of it was really magical.
We rode the Inexperienced Automotive (the equal of first-class) 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 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 beloved… 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 problem than flying and felt simply as fast!
Classic luxurious buying
In case you love designer luggage, watches, jewellery, or equipment, Tokyo is heaven.
There are classic luxurious shops in all places, and lots of the items are in nice situation and look model new.
In case you’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, carry your passport everytime you’re buying as a result of many shops provide prompt 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.
Footage don’t actually do it justice as a result of it’s much less concerning the crossing itself and extra concerning the power of all the space. There are large video screens, countless buying, eating places, lights, music, and hundreds of individuals shifting via the intersection in each route.
It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross once they’re imagined 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 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 pictures, wandered the encircling streets, did some buying, 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 believe it’s a kind of locations it’s important to expertise at the least as soon as!
Seems that this put up 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 suggestions for touring to Japan, and am completely happy to reply any questions, too!!
(gown from RTR and my beloved Vejas <– go-to journey strolling sneakers)
So, inform me, pals: what’s in your trip dream checklist? Something enjoyable deliberate that’s developing??
xo
Gina
Retry later
