A Solo Journey Filled with Nostalgia and Film Photography - Nagoya

Travel Dates: November 21-25, 2024 Hello everyone, long time no see. It’s been over half a year since my last solo trip to Japan. In between, I visited Bangkok twice—a vibrant and lively place that, honestly, doesn’t quite suit solo travel (I’ll share my personal insights on traveling in Thailand in a future post). As I’m about to become a small fry in the corporate world, I wanted to seize the freedom to travel while I still can. Drawn to Japanese culture and lifestyle, I decided on a city I’d never been to before—Nagoya. Without much thought, I booked my flight and hotel and set off! 🇯🇵 When I first thought of Nagoya, I imagined it to be somewhat similar to Kyoto, with its well-preserved castles, shrines, and temples, along with its renowned cuisine and shopping. However, when I started planning my itinerary and Googled "Nagoya," one of the top search results was "Nagoya boring." Bro, I was like, "Really? Could it be that dull?" But since it was my first time visiting Nagoya, I figured even a seemingly boring place would have its own charm and points of interest worth exploring. Here’s my overall impression of this trip: "Just right." In terms of excitement and entertainment, it doesn’t quite measure up to Tokyo, Osaka, or Hokkaido. However, when it comes to transportation, atmosphere, attractions, and food, Nagoya has its own unique and captivating charm. I managed to complete 90% of my planned itinerary because Nagoya’s subway system (Meitetsu) is relatively easy to navigate, with no overly complicated transfers—at most, you’d switch lines three times. Nagoya also has its own IC card called Manaca, which you can use for transportation and shopping. It’s super convenient, though first-time users need to pay a ¥500 deposit before adding value to the card. Atmosphere-wise, Nagoya feels like a larger version of Quarry Bay 😂. When I first arrived at Nagoya Station, I noticed that about 80% of the men were dressed in suits, seemingly commuting to or from work or heading out for after-work gatherings with colleagues. The overall vibe felt a bit lifeless. However, the atmosphere completely changed when I visited places like Osu Kannon and Nagoya Castle. The shrines and temples exude a solemn aura, especially Atsuta Shrine. The walls, roofs, and torii gates—some beautifully restored, others showing signs of wear and tear—seem to tell stories of the Edo period’s battles. As expected, Japanese shop staff are incredibly polite, so there’s nothing to complain about. What surprised me were the numerous vintage clothing stores scattered throughout Nagoya, showcasing the Japanese love for retro fashion, particularly leather garments and accessories. I even own a piece myself 💅🏻. According to my research, Nagoya’s signature cuisine revolves around its famous red miso, which has inspired a variety of dishes. From miso katsu (fried pork cutlet with miso sauce) to miso hot pot udon and miso oden, these are must-try local delicacies. I was thoroughly impressed. With the weather turning cooler, I even waited in line for half an hour just to enjoy a hot pot udon to warm my stomach—it was absolutely worth it. Then there’s the famous grilled chicken wings, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, seasoned with sansho pepper and ichimi chili powder for a multi-layered flavor. I must also mention the unagi hitsumabushi (grilled eel rice served three ways). The ritualistic way of eating it, experiencing three different flavors, was a fresh and delightful experience for me. Nagoya’s breakfast culture is also worth mentioning. It’s said that during the Showa era, Japanese office workers liked to discuss business early in the morning, making coffee shops (referred to as "kissaten") the ideal meeting spots. Over time, these coffee shops introduced a new concept: offering a complimentary breakfast set with a cup of coffee. This change made coffee shops even more appealing, and many locals began gathering with family, classmates, friends, or colleagues to chill, enjoy breakfast, and sip coffee. Undoubtedly, they know how to enjoy life. To immerse myself in their culture, I made it a point to wake up early every day and have breakfast at a coffee shop. A simple order of an Americano and an ogura toast set was enough to give me that good-morning vibe 👍🏻. In summary, Nagoya is a haven for introverts and perfect for solo trips. It’s an ideal place to hang around and chill. I must say, after arriving in Nagoya, my luck seemed to skyrocket. I won the A prize in a FamilyMart lottery, caught two large plushies from a claw machine, and got an amazing Majima Goro hostess version figurine from a gacha machine. The luckiest part was realizing I needed a vacuum bag and finding a leather bag I fell in love with at first sight. Otherwise, the airline might have counted me as having two carry-ons and not let me board. I’ve discovered that I’m getting better at enjoying solo trips in Japan. Being alone in an unfamiliar environment, I’ve learned to adapt and immerse myself in the moment. Using my limited Japanese to order food and communicate gave me a sense of accomplishment. Even when I couldn’t express myself fully, I managed to communicate with their limited English, asking how long their shop had been open and complimenting their food and service. These interactions added soul to my journey—lonely, yet fulfilling. Recently, people around me have been asking why I enjoy traveling alone so much. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s about learning to be comfortable with myself, planning freely, and breaking boundaries to try new things. Now, I have another answer: "I prefer to be a traveler rather than a tourist." On the first day, facing the uncertainties of the coming days felt like confronting the uncertainties of my future career and societal responsibilities. I don’t know if I’ll achieve my goals or see results. But in an environment full of uncertainties, we find our breakthroughs. Once you get used to this mindset, you’ll realize your incredible adaptability. Don’t worry too much about the future—take a moment to look back at the scenery you’ve passed by.