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 quite a lot of content material to file immediately – Therapeutic Code re-launches on Monday! – and am going to catch an higher physique exercise and the therapeutic massage chair on the gymnasium.
Right now, 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 like Japan (this submit)
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 submit as a result of the fact is that I’ve Japression.
Often I really feel just a little down after coming dwelling from a visit, however that is subsequent degree. It usually hits me arduous that I can now not stroll outdoors 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 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 completely 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 degree of pleasure folks absorb every part 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. Folks have been form and welcoming, every part 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 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 stunned me most was how calm my nervous system felt your entire time. Though you’re surrounded by vivid lights, enormous buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. The whole lot is so organized and orderly that your physique really looks like it could possibly loosen up. 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 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 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 nations are. I already can’t wait to return.
Folks hold asking if I most popular Korea or Japan, and I can’t select as a result of they’re so completely 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 if you happen to do each, I extremely advocate beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the proper combo. 🙂
Listed below are a few 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 continues to be completely price 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, malls, and countless procuring.
We booked the KOKO Lodge for each stays (similar resort model, two completely different places) utilizing our Amex Platinum benefits. I most popular the placement of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt just a little quieter and extra native, however the precise resort and facilities have 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 nearly in all places 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 always and are about to go on Disney Cruise #8. We simply don’t have Disney decor in our home, however I feel we test all the different packing 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 usually thought-about the higher park for older youngsters and adults.
(the youngsters approve all the images I submit 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 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 beloved Journey to the Middle of the Earth, Rapunzel was beautiful (the lantern scene was every part), and Sinbad ended up being one in all our shock favorites. It’s type of like It’s a Small World, however with a banger theme track 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 part 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 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 completely different flavors, so folks actually accumulate popcorn buckets and stroll round attempting all of them.
It’s additionally price mentioning that every part 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 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 definitely worth the flight proper there.
The one draw back is that lots of the trip reservation choices (referred to as DPA within the app) promote out rapidly. I used to be capable of buy just a few, however all the 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 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 completely different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the reveals are always altering. You possibly can stroll by a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems to be fully completely different.
We spent hours wandering by the reveals, drawing sea creatures that got here to life on big screens,
(the Pilot did this wonderful turtle!)
getting misplaced within the gentle installations, and taking so many images and movies.
It’s a type of experiences that’s arduous to clarify till you see it your self.
I positively advocate this if you happen to’re touring with youngsters, however the adults have been simply as entertained.
I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets if you happen to’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 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 might be tremendous scrumptious and likewise 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 reside sooner or later.
Using 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 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 really magical.
We rode the Inexperienced Automotive (the equal of firstclass) on the best way there, which was pretty 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 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 beloved… I’d by no means actually been on a practice earlier than (apart from Polar Specific!) and it was such a cool expertise. Approach much less problem 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 lots 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 need to cope with 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 vitality of your entire space. There are big video screens, countless procuring, eating places, lights, music, and hundreds of individuals transferring by the intersection in each course.
It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Folks wait patiently, cross after 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 each day, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s one in all Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in particular person felt surprisingly emotional.
We took images, wandered the encompassing streets, did some procuring, and simply soaked all of it in. It’s touristy for a purpose, and we beloved 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 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 checklist? Something enjoyable deliberate that’s developing??
xo
Gina
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