Japan | Pre-Trip Thoughts

So, I'm not saying that it was definitely the results of the 2024 election that pushed me to daydream a lot more seriously about a two-week escape from the country. But I’m also not… not saying that. 

In the depths of the dread and despair, it felt like it was time to go somewhere – to plant a flag in 2025 with something joyful and concrete to anticipate. Japan has been high on my list of “someday” places for quite some time, but for whatever reason, it’s always felt a little out of reach. Too far, too expensive, too tough to take the requisite time off work to explore as much as possible, too daunting to take on.   

TBH – I’m still a little daunted. I mean, just look at this map of Tokyo’s incredible but absolutely immense transit system:

It still breaks my brain 🥲 Suffice it to say that I will be relying heavily on my emotional-support Google Maps.

Fortunately, this trip isn’t solo — I’m lucky enough to be traveling with two very dear friends. We opted to take this tour with G Adventures, a small group tour company I’d had a great experience with on a quick solo jaunt to Istanbul last year (and where a fellow traveler raved about his experience on this particular Japan tour). I appreciate their thoughtful itineraries that promise to hit some major highlights and maximize the 14 days that we’re there, while also allowing plenty of flexibility and free days so that we’re not booked and busy 24/7 with the group. Plus, not having to think about the logistics too much means more time to focus on the fun stuff: meals to eat, our own must-see sights, cute cafes to find, and side streets to wander. 

Here’s where we’ll be headed: 

• Start in Tokyo to meet up with the group 

• Kanazawa 

• Takayama

• Hiroshima & Miyajima

• Kyoto

• Fujikawaguchiko

• Back to Tokyo for a couple days to round out the trip before departing 

The last time I truly blogged about a trip was an epic study abroad adventure across Europe in the heady days of 2014. I credit the many hours spent typing away on trains between stops with how vividly I can still recall the details of that trip. I’ve always loved writing. I’ve wanted to write more for a long time. But because my day job has always involved a lot of writing, it’s not necessarily the thing I reach for in my spare time. I’m hoping that with some extended space away from the desk, I’ll reconnect with this hobby – and maybe fill a few virtual pages while speeding along the Shinkansen rails. 

My goals are simple: I’m hoping to take some good photos, eat very well, walk miles and miles every day, experience another side of the world, and write enough along the way to remember how it felt. Not just what we saw, but the in-between stuff too – the things that didn’t end up on our (very detailed) itinerary. 

My bags are packed. I can’t wait. Wish me luck with the jet lag.