The Sad Ending To My Japan Solo Trip

My solo trip didn't exactly end on the high I was expecting, but looking back at it now, I'm kind of happy it didn't...

This is part 2 of 2 of this series🇯🇵

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We’re Oskar🧔🏻 and Dan👱🏻‍♂️, and we believe that anyone regardless of who they are deserves to live their dreams! For the past nine years, we’ve continued pushing boundaries by traveling and living all across the world, including places like Uganda, Brunei, and Saudi Arabia. In 2022, we reached a huge milestone by visiting 100 countries and we’re now on a mission to keep sharing our journey and hopefully make the world a little more open, compassionate, and peaceful along the way❤️

Thank you for being a part of the journey!

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Japan was country 38🌍 (first visited in 2018)

I started out my trip in Narita city, the namesake of Narita airport but with so much more to offer than that. I then drove through Tokyo to the west, making my way to the Mount Fuji area and the towns of Yamanakako and Fujiyoshida.

0:00 Something didn’t go as planned…
0:57 Climbing giant stairs to 13th Century temple
2:27 British people
2:52 Checking in with Dan
3:14 My special place in Japan…
6:23 My room
7:17 The disappointment rolls in…
8:23 Up on the mountain
10:30 Solo trip thoughts so far?
11:48 Being sad
13:30 Going to the northern coast (Itoigawa)
15:35 Time to leave Hakuba
16:38 Quick stop in Nagano for Oyaki (best food)
18:25 Summary and reflections from Yokohama
22:25 Full road trip route map

Thank you for watching!🙏😍

[OskarandDan]

Thank you guys for coming along on this slightly unusual video series for us❤ You guys are the best!! Btw, we realize the title could seem to be referring to the two of us, but don't worry, we're together and better than ever!❤️

[howardwilliams]

Japan is the best and I want to go back now. So authentic as a place and true to its culture and traditions. Congrats on the solo trip - I did my first in Japan and based myself in Kyoto to get my city fix after living in the Japanese countryside.

[stephenclee]

Oscar I always travel alone and love it. Being a free agent getting up and going off early is my kind of adventure. I loved understanding you more and I how have a picture of you more in my mind. Keep posting mate.

[chriswedge]

Loved it, deep, raw, philosophical, beautifully filmed and edited. Congratulations.

[DeannaGill-hejp]

Great filming, editing and story telling Oskar. Thanks for letting us come along and for sharing your journey with us

[franciscawrites]

So glad I found you (two)....you've inspired me to seriously move forward on a plan for a solo trip of my (I've fantasized doing but never followed the style and content of your travels.

[dawnturner]

The whole area looks so beautiful. Thank you for sharing your trip with us. I think I would love the quiet and smaller towns.

[dianeschroeder]

This is one of your best vlogs ever Oskar. It is so honest and raw. I’m sure you learned a lot about you during your solo journey. It’s a healthy thing to do, to not always rely on your partner. We come into this world alone and we exit it alone. Thank you for the wonderful story telling.❤️✈️

[wewonderandexplore]

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip alone. I also enjoyed those when younger, but now that we are 70 years old, my husband and I enjoy exploring the world together -- plus for us it is safer because it keeps us out of trouble and on time for activities.

[giannishen]

I wish I can go to Japan with you!
You did a really great job, thanks a lot for sharing! 👍🥰🙌

[poppy]

I really love your solo video in great locations. It's therapeutic and beautiful cinematography. I am Japanese living in Australia, going to Japan next week, your itinerary inspires me. I like quiet and beautiful places. The way you are talking is very natural. Thank you so much for sharing. I am looking forward to seeing your next solo video!!

[NicoOlemans]

Your passion for travel and knack for capturing the essence of each destination shines through in every frame. Moreover, your insightful commentary and helpful tips added an extra layer of depth to the entire experience, making it not just entertaining but also educational.

As someone who dreams of visiting Japan one day, your vlog has ignited my wanderlust even more and has inspired me to start planning my own adventure. Thank you for sharing your passion, creativity, and infectious energy with the world.

Please know that your and Dan's hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed. This vlog has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on countless viewers, myself included.

[greenrosebluebird]

Hi!
I am Japanese home maker currently living in Yokohama. I am from Azumino, Nagano, about 45 minutes drive down south from Hakuba!
I enjoyed this video very much. Glad you liked OYAKI buns, the Shinshu （Nagano prefecture）people's soul food.
My favorite are NOZAWANA and EGG PLANT ones. Nagano prefecture is the land of high mountains and this video made me home sick so bad!
But I like living in Yokohama very much, too. You also talked about Yokohama. Great!
I would love to meet you someday. So many more places, foods and things I want you to experience here in Japan!

[laurahykes]

Thank you for this BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY of Japan. I will never get there and seeing this, I feel like I am there!!! You did Oscar on this trip. You must miss Dan so much!!! Hugs your way.

[robertrawley]

*Great perspective shared, Thank you! Oskar*
Really good cinematography too! And, I enjoyed the ending animation to recap your journey.
Next, I hope to see O&D talk a bit about what they were able to share from their time apart once reunited...

[adelguy]

Thank you for being so honest and open, I can so relate to what you are talking about, I returned back to the place where I was happiest and it was not same, it left me feeling sad and alone but I will always have the memories of when I was first there and that's what I will always keep in my heart, I have solo traveled my entire life and there was many times when I wish someone there to share the moments with but I also realise that at least I get to decide where I go and I do what I want to do.

[jhartel]

I had very similar experience visiting a place recently that was so special to me years ago and that I had such high expectations for visiting again. You really can't go back, but that is quite a beautiful lesson to learn as well. Your description of that sadness and longing helped me process those feelings. Thank you.

[deepavidya]

Loved this Oskar!
The reality of travel and all the feelings and lessons that come out of it are unmatched when experienced solo.
It’s such a good thing to showcase. Travel is such a good teacher.
I would love to see more solo videos from both of you now and again!
Good job Oskar - you did so well! I thoroughly enjoyed these videos.

[ninja_boy]

I feel you on returning to a place where you were happy. I returned to the town I attended college in and lived in for four years recently, and not only was it different (a restaurant and bar my friends and I hung out at all the time had been demolished--just a field of dirt in its place!), it just reminded me that those days when I lived with friends and felt like I could do whatever I wanted all day are over. Now I live alone, work all the time, and have to make appointments to see friends, and that "carefree" time in my life is gone and never coming back. Seeing the town again made me think that I didn't quite appreciate it enough when I was there. I saw places I'd always meant to visit but never did, or places I only went once and I thought "why didn't I take advantage of this when I was here?" Oh well. I can't dwell on a past time. All I can do is try to make the present and the future better.

[lmgb]

It’s great to see your solo learnings. Thank you for sharing. I enjoy at least one or two solo trips a year. Excited to see your next solo adventure!