Tokyo recap and why I like Japan

Posted by

June 18, 2026

On June 18, 2026

Sharing a recap of what we did in Tokyo, the place we stayed and already wanting ahead to going again.

Hello buddies! How are you?? I hope you’re having a beautiful morning. I’ve a variety of content material to document as we speak – Therapeutic Code re-launches on Monday! – and am going to catch an higher physique exercise and the therapeutic massage chair on the gymnasium.

Immediately, I’m sharing the primary of my Japan posts!

Listed here 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 publish)

Kyoto itinerary and suggestions for journey to Japan

What we ate in Japan (and gf picks)

My Korean Head Spa expertise

Tokyo recap and why I like Japan

I’ve been avoiding scripting this publish as a result of the truth is that I’ve Japression.

Often I really feel slightly down after coming house from a visit, however that is subsequent stage. It usually hits me laborious that I can now not stroll outdoors all day (it’s manner too sizzling 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 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 observed was the stage of pleasure folks soak up every little 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 prepare station. Everybody appeared dedicated to doing their very best, and it was inspiring to see. Individuals have been variety and welcoming, every little thing felt extremely secure, and I felt the very best I’ve felt in a extremely very long time whereas we have been there.

I additionally observed 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 all the time. Though you’re surrounded by brilliant lights, large buildings, and tons of individuals, it by no means feels chaotic. Every thing is so organized and orderly that your physique truly looks like it could 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 laborious 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 might be enjoyable, however I felt overwhelmed by the planning and wasn’t positive 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 international locations are. I already can’t wait to return.

Individuals 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. 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 when you do each, I extremely suggest beginning in Seoul after which heading to Tokyo. It was the right combo. 🙂

Listed here 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 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 Resort for each stays (identical resort model, two completely different areas) utilizing our Amex Platinum advantages. I most popular the situation of the Tsukiji property as a result of it felt slightly quieter and extra native, however the precise resort and facilities have been nicer on the Ginza location. (We stayed at one location for a number of days earlier than our brief journey to Kyoto and the opposite one afterwards.)

One factor I liked about Ginza is that it felt extremely clear, secure, and straightforward to navigate. We may stroll nearly all over the 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 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. 😉

After all we wished 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 of the higher park for older children and adults.

(the children approve the entire photographs I publish 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 experience expertise far exceeded my expectations. Peter Pan is certainly 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 carried out, and genuinely feels such as you’re flying.

We additionally liked Journey to the Middle of the Earth, Rapunzel was attractive (the lantern scene was every little thing), and Sinbad ended up being certainly one of our shock favorites. It’s form of like It’s a Small World, however with a banger theme track 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 little thing 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 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 completely different flavors, so folks actually accumulate popcorn buckets and stroll round making an attempt all of them.

It’s additionally price mentioning that every little thing was dramatically inexpensive than the U.S. parks. A large hen leg was round 800 yen (about $5 USD), in comparison with $15 – 20 at house.

Our park tickets and even the paid experience 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 most of the experience reservation choices (referred to as DPA within the app) promote out rapidly. I used to be capable of buy a number of, however the entire 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 areas stopped serving round 7-8 p.m., so I undoubtedly suggest prioritizing rides early and planning dinner earlier than issues start shutting down.

teamLab Borderless

This was an absolute must-do.

Tokyo has a number of completely different teamLab experiences, and we selected Borderless. It’s an interactive digital artwork museum the place the displays are consistently altering. You’ll be able to stroll via a room, come again quarter-hour later, and it appears to be like utterly completely different.

We spent hours wandering via the displays, drawing sea creatures that got here to life on large screens,

(the Pilot did this wonderful turtle!)

getting misplaced within the mild installations, and taking so many photographs and movies.

It’s a type of experiences that’s laborious to elucidate till you see it your self.

I undoubtedly suggest this when you’re touring with children, however the adults have been simply as entertained.

I’ve additionally heard wonderful issues about teamLab Planets when 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 are tremendous scrumptious and in addition cheap. The smoothies have 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 prepare to Kyoto

I’d heard that when you’re already in Tokyo, it’s price taking the prepare to Kyoto or Osaka to expertise a special facet 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 complete weblog publish 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 liked… 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

If you happen to 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.

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, carry your passport everytime you’re buying as a result of many shops supply on the spot 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 in regards to the crossing itself and extra in regards to 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 after they’re purported 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 each day, even after his proprietor handed away. It’s certainly one of Japan’s most beloved tales, and seeing the statue in individual 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 cause, and we liked it. If it’s your first journey to Tokyo, I believe it’s a type of locations it’s important to expertise no less than as soon as!

Seems that this publish didn’t assist my Japression in any respect, however I’ve a number of extra to go. I’ll be sharing the entire wonderful meals we ate (together with GF choices), a Kyoto recap and suggestions for touring to Japan, and am glad to reply any questions, too!!