Fitness
Tokyo recap and why I really like Japan
Jun
Sharing a recap of what we did in Tokyo, the place we stayed and already trying ahead to going again.
Hello mates! How are you?? I hope you’re having a beautiful morning. I’ve plenty 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 fitness center.
Immediately, I’m sharing the primary of my Japan posts!
Listed below are our Japan and Korea recap posts up to now:
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 penning this submit as a result of the truth is that I’ve Japression.
Often I really feel somewhat down after coming residence from a visit, however that is subsequent stage. It usually hits me onerous that I can now not stroll outdoors all day (it’s approach too sizzling right here and Tucson is unquestionably 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 actually felt like one other planet.
One of many greatest issues I seen was the stage of satisfaction individuals soak up 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 very best, and it was inspiring to see. Individuals had been form and welcoming, every part felt extremely secure, 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 shocked me most was how calm my nervous system felt your complete time. Though you’re surrounded by brilliant lights, large buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. The whole lot is so organized and orderly that your physique truly appears like it might probably calm down. I didn’t understand how a lot I wanted that feeling till I skilled it. Since we’ve been residence, I’ve been attempting actually onerous to convey items of that feeling again with me.
I discussed this in my Seoul recap, however Japan and Korea actually weren’t my first alternative 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 wish to go to once more. Now I really feel so naive as a result of I had no thought how particular these international locations are. I already can’t wait to return.
Individuals maintain asking if I most popular 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 case you 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 the very 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 beautiful location stuffed 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 areas) utilizing our Amex Platinum advantages. I most popular the situation of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt somewhat 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 cherished about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, secure, and straightforward to navigate. We may stroll nearly in every single place and simply took an Uber when wanted.
Tokyo DisneySea
I all the time say we’re not “Disney individuals,” despite the fact that 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 packing containers. 😉
In fact we needed 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 typically thought of the higher park for older youngsters and adults.
(the youngsters 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 one in every 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 carried out, 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 part), and Sinbad ended up being one in every of our shock favorites. It’s sort of like It’s a Small World, however with a banger theme music and a few spectacular animatronics (just like the inexperienced big!).
The meals was additionally a lot enjoyable.
We utterly fell in love with muscat-flavored every part 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 individuals actually acquire 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 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 lots of the journey 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 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 areas stopped serving round 7-8 p.m., so I undoubtedly 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 consistently altering. You’ll be able to stroll by a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it seems to be utterly totally 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 photographs and movies.
It’s a type of experiences that’s onerous to clarify till you see it your self.
I undoubtedly advocate this in case you’re touring with youngsters, however the adults had been simply as entertained.
I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets in case 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 seemed 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 live sooner or later.
Using the bullet practice to Kyoto
I’d heard that in case you’re already in Tokyo, it’s price taking the practice to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a unique facet 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 complete weblog submit of its personal as a result of it was actually magical.
We rode the Inexperienced Automobile (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 novel reminiscence that I cherished… I’d by no means actually been on a practice earlier than (in addition to Polar Specific!) and it was such a cool expertise. Manner much less trouble 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 every single place, 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, 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 should 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 in regards to the crossing itself and extra in regards to the power of your complete space. There are big video screens, countless buying, eating places, lights, music, and hundreds of individuals transferring by the intersection in each route.
It’s extremely busy, however nonetheless feels orderly. Individuals wait patiently, cross once they’re imagined to, and no person is bumping or pushing into one another.
Exterior the station is the well-known Hachikō statue, honoring the loyal canine who continued ready for his proprietor on the station on daily basis, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s one in every of Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in particular person felt surprisingly emotional.
We took photographs, wandered the encompassing 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 believe it’s a type of locations it’s important to expertise a minimum of 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 wonderful meals we ate (together with GF choices), a Kyoto recap and ideas for touring to Japan, and am completely happy to reply any questions, too!!
(gown from RTR and my beloved Vejas <– go-to journey strolling footwear)
So, inform me, mates: what’s in your trip dream listing? Something enjoyable deliberate that’s arising??
xo
Gina
