VI
EN
After finding the winner of the “Solo Travel Dream Deals Contest, Design Your Itinerary - Win Amazing Prizes” sponsored by Agoda - a digital travel booking platform, Travellive Media Group, in collaboration with Travel Content Creator Vinh Gấu, organized a contest for solo travel enthusiasts. Accordingly, Mr. Hoàng Lê Giang embarked on a 9-day solo travel adventure in Japan based on the itinerary he designed.
Sponsored by Agoda, this is the first time Travellive Media Group has organized the "Solo Travel Dream Deals Contest: Design Your Itinerary - Win Amazing Prizes" with a total prize value of up to 60 million VND for the winners.
With free airfare, hotel accommodation, and up to three fun activities available on Agoda, totaling 60 million VND, Hoang Le Giang had his dream trip to Japan, the "Land of the Rising Sun," which he designed himself.
"Dream solo trip" is not just about the concept of a desirable, dream-filled solo journey, but also about self-discovery and personal growth through solo travel. Compared to Hoang Le Giang's previous trips, his solo trip to Japan was an opportunity for him to explore his limits and step outside his comfort zone. This allowed him to visit many new places, meet new friends, and experience the trip independently.
The 9-day trip (from January 29th to February 6th, 2024) to Japan included visits to Osaka, Kayabuki No Sato, Kanazawa, Shirakawago, and Nagoya. For Hoang Le Giang, these were novel destinations in winter, offering the opportunity to enjoy diverse cuisines from coastal and mountainous regions, showcasing the richness and varied landscapes of Japan.
During this trip, he used the Agoda app to design an itinerary with many exciting activities: experiencing public transportation such as buses and trains, participating in tours exploring Japanese cuisine and nightlife. Or trying out unique bars in Osaka, strolling around ancient villages in Gifu, and bathing in hot springs at ancient Ryokans.
On this Dream Solo Trip, I got to explore the scenery I'd long dreamed of.
"I was a little nervous trying to find my way to the Kayabuki No Sato areas, as they are often far away and have limited public transportation. Luckily, the Ryokan owner was very helpful with transportation. Traveling to new cities like Takayama and Kanazawa was also easy thanks to purchasing rail passes and bus passes on the Agoda app. During this 'Dream solo trip,' I got to explore the scenery I'd long dreamed of in ancient villages, freely enjoy food at cozy local restaurants, and participate in a food tour in Osaka – an experience I found very impressive because I got to visit unique culinary destinations I'd never had the chance to discover before," shared Hoang Le Giang.
The trip's uniqueness also lies in its cleverly designed itinerary, skillfully arranging the travel route from Osaka to Nagoya, avoiding repetition of locations, while simultaneously experiencing the distinctive local culture and the changing beauty of winter in each city. This created a unique and unexpected trip for many.
Hoang Le Giang spent nine days experiencing the land of cherry blossoms from a unique perspective.
“If you like hustle and bustle, Shirakawago is the place for you. But if you prefer the quiet, less crowded atmosphere of an old village, then you definitely shouldn't miss Suganuma and Ainokura. I chose popular areas like Shirakawago mixed with less touristy places like Kanazawa, combining urban areas like Osaka with rural areas like Kayabuki No Sato to create a contrasting perspective,” said Hoang Le Giang.
According to him, food enthusiasts shouldn't miss Takayama with its Hida beef and Osaka with its authentic Japanese izakaya (pubs). If you've been to an izakaya, of course you must try the delicious and affordable appetizers to accompany your drinks, such as boiled edamame, crispy fried tofu with Dashi broth, or a bowl of raw tuna with avocado and natto…
Osaka's street food was also impressive to him. Along the streets were rows of restaurants and eateries, each with its own unique character. It wasn't difficult for tourists to spot signs featuring a huge cow, a whole octopus, or giant crab claws.
Join a culinary exploration tour.
Hoang Le Giang's journey lasted 9 days, visiting the following destinations in order: Osaka, Kayabuki No Sato, Kanazawa, Shikawago, and Nagoya.
“Solo travel is the most suitable way to take you to new lands. You have the freedom to choose when to start your journey. Then, along the way, because you don't have friends, you feel like a sponge, motivated to absorb everything around you. From listening, learning a new language, or eating your favorite foods, to experiencing the freedom of deviating from your pre-planned route. Or you can meet and make new friends, learn about the culture of a new land through the stories of the locals. Traveling alone allows you the opportunity to grow, learn from observing, being sensitive to everything around you, and making decisions. Things that seem simple but you've never tried before help you discover your limits and step out of your comfort zone. Later, that confidence and independence can also be applied when you return to your daily life,” shared Hoang Le Giang.
Solo travel allows you to experience freedom, manage your own expenses, plan your own activities, and make all your own decisions.
"In fact, traveling solo in Japan is quite safe and very comfortable, allowing you the freedom to plan your own trip. Although I initially felt a little insecure about facing a new trip without a companion, the feeling of freedom and excitement motivated me. I was also able to open myself up to making friends with many locals, exploring and experiencing the local culture easily. In this way, I not only participated in unique cultural experiences but also broadened my horizons and became more confident in interacting with the locals. It was truly a dream trip, where I could eat all the local food I liked in different cities. I even enjoyed ancient Ryokans and onsen baths in the winter weather," Hoang Le Giang recounted.
Ancient villages in Japan
After this trip to Japan, Hoang Le Giang commented that the experience using Agoda's convenient services was quite enjoyable. Accommodation was very convenient with many options ranging from large hotels to mountain guesthouses or beautiful Ryokans, and prices varied widely. In large cities like Osaka and Nagoya, you could choose to stay near bus stops or tourist attractions, and there were many flight times to choose from to plan your itinerary. All trip information, such as flight tickets and hotel itineraries, was conveniently located in one place, like a personal assistant for solo travelers. In particular, purchasing bus passes and train passes on Agoda made the trip incredibly convenient for transportation as everything was available within the app.
For travel enthusiasts, solo travel is one of the most exciting forms of travel, offering many new experiences. With the strong development of travel apps like Agoda, travelers can easily design and enjoy trips according to their needs, preferences, and personality. Because of this, solo travel is gradually becoming a popular trend today.
Exploring winter in Japan, from the sea to the mountains, reveals the richness and diversity of Japan's landscapes.
Additional information:
From December 8-24, 2023, sponsored by Agoda – a digital travel booking platform – Travellive Media Group, in collaboration with Travel Content Creator Vinh Gấu, organized the "Solo Travel Dream Deals Contest: Design Your Itinerary – Win Amazing Prizes" for solo travel enthusiasts. The prize for the winner was up to 60 million VND, allowing them to experience booking services including round-trip flights, up to 10 nights of accommodation, and sightseeing tickets through the Agoda app.
