I went on a trip alone
 |
Description
Book Introduction
Masuda Miri's first solo travel story returns with a fresh twist.
Revised edition of "I Went on a Solo Trip - Shall We Go to a Small Town in Japan?" published
Masuda Miri, the author of the manga series "Su-chan," is widely known to domestic readers for her candid portrayal of the worries and daily lives of women in their 30s.
He is an active cartoonist and essayist, and is actually a travel essayist who has published numerous travel stories.
This time, 『I Went on a Solo Trip - Shall We Go to a Small Town in Japan?』, published by Book Forest, is his first book about his solo travels. Thanks to the continued love of readers, it has been re-released in a revised edition.
The book unfolds the story of a small town travel challenge that took place in each of Japan's 47 prefectures every month from the age of 33 to 37.
The goal of the trip is simple.
Once a month, one region at a time.
It's a way to get away from Tokyo and decide on a destination based on your mood at the time.
At first, you may feel lonely because you have no one to talk to, and you may feel anxious because you have to try the famous food. However, as you travel more and more, you will become accustomed to the joy of traveling alone, and even the moment when you buy a packed lunch and eat it leisurely at the hotel becomes a wonderful part of the trip.
Masuda Miri captures this process with honesty and wit, offering warm empathy and courage to those hesitant to travel alone.
Additionally, the cute four-panel cartoons included at the end of each journey convey the emotions felt during the journey even more specially, doubling the book's appeal.
Revised edition of "I Went on a Solo Trip - Shall We Go to a Small Town in Japan?" published
Masuda Miri, the author of the manga series "Su-chan," is widely known to domestic readers for her candid portrayal of the worries and daily lives of women in their 30s.
He is an active cartoonist and essayist, and is actually a travel essayist who has published numerous travel stories.
This time, 『I Went on a Solo Trip - Shall We Go to a Small Town in Japan?』, published by Book Forest, is his first book about his solo travels. Thanks to the continued love of readers, it has been re-released in a revised edition.
The book unfolds the story of a small town travel challenge that took place in each of Japan's 47 prefectures every month from the age of 33 to 37.
The goal of the trip is simple.
Once a month, one region at a time.
It's a way to get away from Tokyo and decide on a destination based on your mood at the time.
At first, you may feel lonely because you have no one to talk to, and you may feel anxious because you have to try the famous food. However, as you travel more and more, you will become accustomed to the joy of traveling alone, and even the moment when you buy a packed lunch and eat it leisurely at the hotel becomes a wonderful part of the trip.
Masuda Miri captures this process with honesty and wit, offering warm empathy and courage to those hesitant to travel alone.
Additionally, the cute four-panel cartoons included at the end of each journey convey the emotions felt during the journey even more specially, doubling the book's appeal.
- You can preview some of the book's contents.
Preview
index
Getting Started - 005
Aomori Prefecture - 009
Mie Prefecture - 016
Hokkaido - 023
Ibaraki Prefecture - 029
Shimane Prefecture - 035
Shiga Prefecture - 041
Okayama Prefecture - 047
Ishikawa Prefecture - 053
Saitama Prefecture - 059
Solo Travel Memories Album - 065
Osaka Prefecture - 073
Fukui Prefecture - 079
Saga Prefecture - 085
Nagano Prefecture - 090
Kagoshima Prefecture - 096
Aichi Prefecture - 103
Yamanashi Prefecture - 108
Gochi Prefecture - 114
Kanagawa Prefecture - 120
Miyagi Prefecture - 126
Fukushima Prefecture - 131
Shizuoka Prefecture - 137
Yamaguchi Prefecture - 142
Chiba Prefecture - 147
Tochigi Prefecture - 152
Fukuoka Prefecture - 158
Kumamoto Prefecture - 164
Nagasaki Prefecture - 171
Yamagata Prefecture - 176
Gunma Prefecture - 181
Niigata Prefecture - 186
Kyoto Prefecture - 191
Hyogo Prefecture - 196
Nara Prefecture - 201
Toyama Prefecture - 206
Tottori Prefecture - 212
Okinawa Prefecture - 218
Kagawa Prefecture - 222
Ehime Prefecture - 227
Akita Prefecture - 232
Miyazaki Prefecture - 238
Gifu Prefecture - 244
Hiroshima Prefecture - 250
Iwate Prefecture - 256
Tokushima Prefecture - 262
Wakayama Prefecture - 268
Oita Prefecture - 274
Tokyo - 280
Ending the Journey - 288
1-Night Stay at Tokyo Imperial Hotel - 292
Aomori Prefecture - 009
Mie Prefecture - 016
Hokkaido - 023
Ibaraki Prefecture - 029
Shimane Prefecture - 035
Shiga Prefecture - 041
Okayama Prefecture - 047
Ishikawa Prefecture - 053
Saitama Prefecture - 059
Solo Travel Memories Album - 065
Osaka Prefecture - 073
Fukui Prefecture - 079
Saga Prefecture - 085
Nagano Prefecture - 090
Kagoshima Prefecture - 096
Aichi Prefecture - 103
Yamanashi Prefecture - 108
Gochi Prefecture - 114
Kanagawa Prefecture - 120
Miyagi Prefecture - 126
Fukushima Prefecture - 131
Shizuoka Prefecture - 137
Yamaguchi Prefecture - 142
Chiba Prefecture - 147
Tochigi Prefecture - 152
Fukuoka Prefecture - 158
Kumamoto Prefecture - 164
Nagasaki Prefecture - 171
Yamagata Prefecture - 176
Gunma Prefecture - 181
Niigata Prefecture - 186
Kyoto Prefecture - 191
Hyogo Prefecture - 196
Nara Prefecture - 201
Toyama Prefecture - 206
Tottori Prefecture - 212
Okinawa Prefecture - 218
Kagawa Prefecture - 222
Ehime Prefecture - 227
Akita Prefecture - 232
Miyazaki Prefecture - 238
Gifu Prefecture - 244
Hiroshima Prefecture - 250
Iwate Prefecture - 256
Tokushima Prefecture - 262
Wakayama Prefecture - 268
Oita Prefecture - 274
Tokyo - 280
Ending the Journey - 288
1-Night Stay at Tokyo Imperial Hotel - 292
Detailed image
Into the book
The first stop on my 47 prefectures tour was Aomori in December.
--- From "First Sentence"
I saw several people shoveling snow.
Grocery shopping.
Cooking, cleaning, and laundry.
There, 'shoveling snow' is a natural part of life here.
Some lives never involve shoveling snow, while others experience it thousands of times.
It varies depending on where you live.
--- p.27 From "Hokkaido"
Because there were only a few trains on the Shigaraki Kogen Railway, it took quite a while to transfer.
If I had checked the timetable beforehand, I wouldn't have wasted any time, but between the time I spent looking up the timetable and the time I spent waiting for the train in a daze, I would gladly choose the latter.
--- p.43 From "Shiga Prefecture"
One day, the main house will disappear.
Even if you want to go back, there will definitely come a day when there is no one there.
If you think about it that way, you will naturally prioritize time spent at home over traveling alone.
--- p.145 From "Yamaguchi Prefecture"
People who were born and raised here and those who come here as tourists have different ways of viewing the same scenery, whether it be beautiful or sad.
--- p.208 From "Toyama Prefecture"
Why is it embarrassing to be alone? It's a shame that comes from the fear that someone might think it's pitiful to have no one to travel such a scenic mountain with.
Some people are just passing travelers, and even if you think 'poor' of a complete stranger, you will never meet them again.
But I pretend to be someone who likes cameras or someone who came to report on something for work and take notes… … .
On the other hand, there is a part of me that thinks this is okay.
It feels like a lie to be able to act confidently anytime, anywhere.
--- p.210 From "Toyama Prefecture"
The school route used by those students was truly beautiful.
I take it for granted that I can see the beautiful Nagara River and the steep mountains every morning and evening.
When I grow up, I will suddenly recall this scenery and feel nostalgic.
Rather than someone bragging about going to a prestigious high school, someone who says the scenery on their way to school is beautiful seems like a winner.
--- From "First Sentence"
I saw several people shoveling snow.
Grocery shopping.
Cooking, cleaning, and laundry.
There, 'shoveling snow' is a natural part of life here.
Some lives never involve shoveling snow, while others experience it thousands of times.
It varies depending on where you live.
--- p.27 From "Hokkaido"
Because there were only a few trains on the Shigaraki Kogen Railway, it took quite a while to transfer.
If I had checked the timetable beforehand, I wouldn't have wasted any time, but between the time I spent looking up the timetable and the time I spent waiting for the train in a daze, I would gladly choose the latter.
--- p.43 From "Shiga Prefecture"
One day, the main house will disappear.
Even if you want to go back, there will definitely come a day when there is no one there.
If you think about it that way, you will naturally prioritize time spent at home over traveling alone.
--- p.145 From "Yamaguchi Prefecture"
People who were born and raised here and those who come here as tourists have different ways of viewing the same scenery, whether it be beautiful or sad.
--- p.208 From "Toyama Prefecture"
Why is it embarrassing to be alone? It's a shame that comes from the fear that someone might think it's pitiful to have no one to travel such a scenic mountain with.
Some people are just passing travelers, and even if you think 'poor' of a complete stranger, you will never meet them again.
But I pretend to be someone who likes cameras or someone who came to report on something for work and take notes… … .
On the other hand, there is a part of me that thinks this is okay.
It feels like a lie to be able to act confidently anytime, anywhere.
--- p.210 From "Toyama Prefecture"
The school route used by those students was truly beautiful.
I take it for granted that I can see the beautiful Nagara River and the steep mountains every morning and evening.
When I grow up, I will suddenly recall this scenery and feel nostalgic.
Rather than someone bragging about going to a prestigious high school, someone who says the scenery on their way to school is beautiful seems like a winner.
--- p.248 From "Gifu Prefecture"
Publisher's Review
“Traveling alone is becoming more and more enjoyable.”
“Even after this trip, I often travel alone.
“I had no interest in traveling alone.”
Our first trip was ambitious and we set off to Aomori in the middle of winter.
However, since I am not used to traveling alone and do not know how to enjoy traveling, I am full of immaturity.
Moreover, the author's introverted personality, which makes it difficult for him to talk to others, is clearly reflected in the writing and situations.
This is the first time such a timid person has traveled alone.
The author also shared his thoughts on his first trip:
“I felt lonely because I couldn’t share my feelings of fun, deliciousness, or beauty with others.”
But this thought begins to change as the journey continues.
The beauty of traveling alone is that you can leisurely explore the places you choose according to your own schedule and tastes, without worrying about what others think.
Masuda Miri also enjoys the specialness of solo travel by going where she wants to go, eating what she wants to eat, and seeing what she wants to see.
Finding a travel style that suits you involves a lot of trial and error, but it also becomes a time to learn more about yourself by listening to your inner voice.
The author concludes his trip by saying that this period was “four years in which I vividly felt the one and only life.”
There is one thing I decided on during this trip.
Just don't force yourself to eat.
Since I'm already here, I should try the local specialties if possible! I used to think that, but I've since changed my mind and realized it's foolish to force yourself to eat something you don't particularly like just because it's a local specialty.
Let's eat the food we want to eat.
Some people might criticize me for reducing the fun of traveling, but I'm a proud adult, so I'll do it freely.
"p.
27_Hokkaido
There are many stories that anyone who has traveled alone can relate to.
You worry about what other people think of you traveling alone, you look around outside a restaurant several times before you can finally get in, and you experience minor misunderstandings and absurd episodes.
The author humorously tells the story of how, while traveling in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, an unknown man approached him kindly and exchanged a few words, only to find out that it was a hunting trip, and how, while touring the Dogo Onsen area in Ehime Prefecture, he was in the same group as a father with two elementary school-aged children, so they looked like a family of four to anyone.
Sometimes you have to lie, even if you can't stand it.
My body was cold from being hit by snow, so I took a shower as soon as I got back to the hotel.
A grandmother in her sixties who entered the hotel's public bathhouse with me asked.
“Did you come with the gentleman?” When I answered, “No, I came alone,” the grandmother screamed, “What?”
My grandmother seemed so surprised that I told her a convincing lie, “My husband couldn’t come because of an urgent matter, but he told me to go alone.”
Grandma smiled with an expression that said she understood.
"p.
235_Akita Prefecture
Masuda Miri, who was doing well traveling alone.
But there are times when I get tired.
It was a time when I had no motivation and the meaning of traveling alone didn't seem new to me at all.
On the last day of March, I decided to go on a trip to Yamagata, even if it was just a day trip.
The author, who had regained his energy after eating beef steak, also felt like staying at Ginzan Onsen, a place he had always wanted to visit.
A quiet and secluded hot spring village covered in snow.
As I warmed my body in the public foot bath and watched the children fishing in the river, my parched emotions began to moisten.
Isn't this what traveling is like?
It doesn't force us to learn anything, it's just placed in front of us.
It is free time to have a light conversation with my heart.
Traveling alone, it's refreshing. 「p.
179_Yamagata Prefecture
“Even after this trip, I often travel alone.
“I had no interest in traveling alone.”
Our first trip was ambitious and we set off to Aomori in the middle of winter.
However, since I am not used to traveling alone and do not know how to enjoy traveling, I am full of immaturity.
Moreover, the author's introverted personality, which makes it difficult for him to talk to others, is clearly reflected in the writing and situations.
This is the first time such a timid person has traveled alone.
The author also shared his thoughts on his first trip:
“I felt lonely because I couldn’t share my feelings of fun, deliciousness, or beauty with others.”
But this thought begins to change as the journey continues.
The beauty of traveling alone is that you can leisurely explore the places you choose according to your own schedule and tastes, without worrying about what others think.
Masuda Miri also enjoys the specialness of solo travel by going where she wants to go, eating what she wants to eat, and seeing what she wants to see.
Finding a travel style that suits you involves a lot of trial and error, but it also becomes a time to learn more about yourself by listening to your inner voice.
The author concludes his trip by saying that this period was “four years in which I vividly felt the one and only life.”
There is one thing I decided on during this trip.
Just don't force yourself to eat.
Since I'm already here, I should try the local specialties if possible! I used to think that, but I've since changed my mind and realized it's foolish to force yourself to eat something you don't particularly like just because it's a local specialty.
Let's eat the food we want to eat.
Some people might criticize me for reducing the fun of traveling, but I'm a proud adult, so I'll do it freely.
"p.
27_Hokkaido
There are many stories that anyone who has traveled alone can relate to.
You worry about what other people think of you traveling alone, you look around outside a restaurant several times before you can finally get in, and you experience minor misunderstandings and absurd episodes.
The author humorously tells the story of how, while traveling in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, an unknown man approached him kindly and exchanged a few words, only to find out that it was a hunting trip, and how, while touring the Dogo Onsen area in Ehime Prefecture, he was in the same group as a father with two elementary school-aged children, so they looked like a family of four to anyone.
Sometimes you have to lie, even if you can't stand it.
My body was cold from being hit by snow, so I took a shower as soon as I got back to the hotel.
A grandmother in her sixties who entered the hotel's public bathhouse with me asked.
“Did you come with the gentleman?” When I answered, “No, I came alone,” the grandmother screamed, “What?”
My grandmother seemed so surprised that I told her a convincing lie, “My husband couldn’t come because of an urgent matter, but he told me to go alone.”
Grandma smiled with an expression that said she understood.
"p.
235_Akita Prefecture
Masuda Miri, who was doing well traveling alone.
But there are times when I get tired.
It was a time when I had no motivation and the meaning of traveling alone didn't seem new to me at all.
On the last day of March, I decided to go on a trip to Yamagata, even if it was just a day trip.
The author, who had regained his energy after eating beef steak, also felt like staying at Ginzan Onsen, a place he had always wanted to visit.
A quiet and secluded hot spring village covered in snow.
As I warmed my body in the public foot bath and watched the children fishing in the river, my parched emotions began to moisten.
Isn't this what traveling is like?
It doesn't force us to learn anything, it's just placed in front of us.
It is free time to have a light conversation with my heart.
Traveling alone, it's refreshing. 「p.
179_Yamagata Prefecture
GOODS SPECIFICS
- Date of issue: September 15, 2025
- Page count, weight, size: 296 pages | 128*188*20mm
- ISBN13: 9791192025254
- ISBN10: 1192025253
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