A Sweet Solo Trip to Japan After Discharge

There was a wish I had kept folded up alone at the training camp... I wanted to visit the lake from Your Name!! So, after enduring a long 1 year and 6 months, I finally booked a flight to Osaka. I referred to the Japanese travel videos by YouTuber Izaban for my itinerary!

On the first day, I flew to Kansai Airport to feel the local vibe of Osaka and truly experience Japan firsthand.

On the second day, I went to Universal Studios, arguably the best amusement park on Earth, to wake up my stiff body.

On the third day, I headed to nearby Kyoto to experience cultural heritage and explore how it differs from Osaka.

On the fourth day, I left early for Nagoya to feel the grandeur of Nagoya Castle, spent the day and night at the observatory in the sky, and enjoyed a few drinks in the bustling downtown.

On the fifth day, I finally went to Suwa, the background setting of 'Your Name' that I had been longing for... I couldn’t take my eyes off the outside during the train ride. There’s a reason people love train travel. Nature is timelessly beautiful beyond words, and the torii gates that suddenly appear were enough to send my imagination soaring.
After arriving in Suwa, I left my luggage at the hotel and went to Tateishi Park, which offers a panoramic view of Lake Suwa, where I spent a full 6 hours capturing the vast lake with my small eyes. Honestly, I’m scared to realize I’m about to be discharged and step into society... Being an adult feels awkward.
Anyway, I wrapped up the day at a bar near the station.

On the last, sixth day, I moved to Tokyo, the capital of Japan.
I think my next trip to Japan will probably be just to Tokyo. I indulged in some otaku activities in Akihabara after a long time and bought a few gifts for my friends. Tokyo’s night was endlessly bright. The never-ending lights only intensified my bittersweet feelings.

Before boarding the flight back to Korea today, I quietly wrote this. I was supposed to keep a diary, but nothing came to mind, so I’m writing it here instead.

This trip to Japan was
“Like a beautiful scene from a dream...”

Post by woomon | May 25, 2025