Survey on memorable trips
Employees of JAL and JALPAK have been on many trips. From the destinations they have traveled to, they picked out the ones they would recommend to people in their 20s, and we asked them why and shared their memories from those trips.
Travelling around Europe with just a backpack
Ms. Yamamoto, a flight attendant, remembers her graduation trip to Europe, where she traveled to seven cities in three countries over 12 days. She traveled around Europe with just one backpack.
Yamamoto
JAL flight attendant. With a desire to go abroad, she obtained the World Heritage Certification Level 2 certificate while she was a student. The most memorable World Heritage site she recently visited was Stonehenge in London.
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Yamamoto
"There was one city where I was only staying for one night, so I decided to travel with just a backpack to make it easier to get around. It was convenient for looking at maps as it left both hands free, but it was quite heavy, so I would recommend it to people who are confident in their physical strength."
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Yamamoto still travels around the world as a flight attendant, but she says that no matter how many times she visits, she is always moved by Spain's Sagrada Familia.
Photo provided by Yamamoto-san
Yamamoto
"Of course, the overwhelming size and intricate design from the outside were awe-inspiring, but the sheer beauty of the interior left me speechless. The light shining through the colorful stained glass was divine, and even though I was inside a building, I had the strange feeling that I was bathing in sunlight in the middle of nature."
The galette she had in Paris left a strong impression on her. She was surprised at how simply seasoned it was, yet so crispy and fragrant, and delicious it was.
Photo provided by Yamamoto-san
She explored delicious restaurants by asking locals for recommendations, rented lodging with a kitchen and enjoyed cooking with local ingredients, and experienced a simulated local life. She said that it was an extraordinary experience, and it helped her reset her worries and thoughts, and refresh her mind.
Yamamoto-san's memorable journey
| Destination | France, Italy, Spain |
|---|---|
| schedule | 12 days |
| Travel expenses | Hotel and airfare cost about 250,000 yen (as of 2018) |
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Traveling solo for the first time gave me confidence in Australia
Ishii-san from the Web Sales Department has a memorable trip to Australia. His purpose was to go there alone to meet up with local friends he made while staying in Sydney for a language training course at university.
Ishii:
JAL Web Sales Department. I love traveling, both domestically and internationally, in search of delicious food and beautiful scenery. On my next trip, I want to go to Hokkaido and try some authentic Genghis Khan.
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Ishii:
"It was my first time traveling alone overseas. Although I had been to the place once before, it was a little nerve-wracking to go through everything by myself, such as going through the procedures at the airport and hotel. But once I got there, I was able to communicate with the locals, even though I wasn't used to English. This gave me confidence, and the number of places I wanted to visit increased."
While eating a hot sandwich on the terrace of a cafe, you might have the misfortune of a seagull biting your bread!
Photo provided by: Mr. Ishii
Ishii-san says that he spent a lot of time alone during the day while his friends were at university, and that he especially enjoyed visiting cafes.
Ishii:
"Each cafe had its own unique location, menu, and interior, so I enjoyed the differences. Cafe hopping is one thing, but traveling also allows you to discover the little things you like that you wouldn't normally notice. I got hooked on a drink I bought there, and now I order it whenever I come across it after returning to Japan."
Sydney's Blue Mountains
Photo provided by: Mr. Ishii
Although it is a city, Sydney has the charm of being able to experience magnificent nature if you go a little further. There are direct flights and the time difference with Japan is only 1-2 hours, so it is recommended for first-time overseas travelers.
Ishii's memorable trip
| Destination | Sydney, Australia |
|---|---|
| schedule | 5 days |
| Travel expenses | Hotel and airfare cost about 160,000 yen (as of 2017) |
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We can understand each other even without speaking the same language. A trip to Greece and Türkiye where I experienced the kindness of people
JALPAK's Kusaka, who had a memorable trip to Greece and Turkey, says he would recommend going to unfamiliar countries that you might not visit on a study abroad trip.
Kusaka-san
JALPAK employee. A travel agency employee who loves travel, music, painting, and kimonos. She has traveled to all 47 prefectures in Japan and is exploring new destinations with her international husband.
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Kusaka-san
"When I was a student, I had the experience of studying abroad and staying with a host family in an English-speaking country for a short period of time, and realized that it was possible to communicate even if my English was poor. This experience sparked my interest in countries where I couldn't speak the same language, so I visited Greece and Turkey."
What I felt during my trip was that, although I couldn't communicate with others through the language, I was able to learn about the kindness and true nature of people.
Kusaka-san
"In Greece, when I was taking a photo of a large lemon growing in a private garden, a local resident who passed by picked one and gave it to me as a souvenir. In Turkey, when I was admiring the beautiful decorations of a mosque, a little girl and her family spoke to me. It was a small thing, but I remember feeling very happy about such thoughtfulness."
iStock/Fergie Burke
Not only learning, but also unexpected events are a part of traveling. The Parthenon was under construction, and he almost got ripped off at the market... Now, such episodes are fond memories. He took a positive approach and enjoyed the trip, saying that unpredictable events are good stories to talk about!
Kusaka's memorable trip
| Destination | Greece, Türkiye |
|---|---|
| schedule | 8 days |
| Travel expenses | Hotel and airfare cost about 200,000 yen (in 2007) |
Travel experiences enrich your life
All three people we spoke to said that their travel experiences enrich their lives. We asked them again about the appeal of travel that they would like to convey to people in their 20s.
Yamamoto
"My travels have deepened my understanding of different cultures. Due to the nature of my job, I often work with people of different nationalities and backgrounds, and I feel that it has helped me in my work as well. Above all, for students, it's a great way to make lifelong friends and create irreplaceable memories, and I think it will motivate them to do their best in the future, using the fun of traveling as fuel."
Ishii:
"These days you can find out anything on the Internet, but nothing beats seeing and feeling something with your own eyes. For example, the overwhelming presence of a famous work of art, the taste of a local meal at a restaurant, the unique atmosphere of a place - all of these are moving beyond imagination. I encourage you to enjoy the encounters and emotional moments you have while you're there."
Kusaka-san
"I gained confidence from experiencing many things in an unfamiliar place, such as travel arrangements, planning, and the unexpected happenings that occurred while I was there. It also gave me the feeling that there are many more things I can do, so I think traveling can be a catalyst for personal growth."
iStock/Ventz
Additionally, because young people are physically energetic, there is a wide range of travel styles, including quick day trips, active trips where you're on the move from morning to night, and trips during long holidays.
It's never too late to travel, but as we get older, the opportunities to travel freely decrease and various restrictions increase. The three people say that it's best to travel at a time in your life when you can enjoy yourself freely to the fullest.
There are many things that travelling can give you, such as lifelong memories, personal growth, and motivation to do your best in the future. Use this as a reference when choosing your next travel destination!
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
