At last, the journey around the world begins. Day one.
I wake up at 7:45 a.m. It’s been a long time since I last woke up this early, and my body hasn’t quite adjusted. Needless to say, I’m still very sleepy and struggle to get out of bed.
After getting up, I head to the hotel’s 13th floor for breakfast. My last Japanese meal. I finish it in just fifteen minutes, worried that the bus might arrive any moment and take me straight to the airport.
Eating so quickly after such a long time, I suddenly find myself thinking, “Ah, so this is how Ishiba eats his meals.”
An Unexpected Discovery at the Airport — The Peculiarities of Terminal 3
I take the bus to the airport and find out that I’m flying from Terminal 3. That means getting off at Terminal 2 and walking the rest of the way.
What surprises me most upon arrival is that Terminal 3 has no lounges. Since it’s dedicated to low-cost carriers, Priority Pass isn’t accepted. A bit disappointing.
Until departure, I spend some time working and organizing my thoughts.
Into the Sky — The Moment I Leave Japan
Up in the air. The sky is beautiful.
Departure from Gate 154. For the first time in a while, I take out my camera and capture the moment, enjoying my own departure. And then—takeoff. This means goodbye to Japan for a whole year.
Excitement dominates my feelings. Living outside Japan for a year is something I’ve never done before, and wondering how that will feel fills me with anticipation.
A Front-Row Seat Above the Clouds — Views from the Sky and Unexpected Comfort
My seat is at the very back on the left side. There’s no one in front of me or around me. The back row really is a hidden gem. With all three seats empty, I can stretch out freely. It hardly feels like economy class—a surprisingly elegant flight.
But having slept only five hours, I decide to sleep. I put on my SHURE SE846 noise-isolating earphones, wear an eye mask, and fully switch to sleep mode.
The sky is stunning. Clouds rush past in an instant. The plane climbs—probably around 800 km/h, though you can’t really feel it. Occasionally, I spot another plane flying by and think, “Wow, that’s fast.” Makes me want to wave and say goodbye.
I enjoy the flight by sleeping, waking up, listening to music, and gazing outside. Flying really is my favorite part of traveling.
While I’m dozing off, someone taps my shoulder—it’s the in-flight meal. I booked directly through AirAsia’s website, which included a complimentary meal. I’m the only one onboard eating. Still half-asleep, I ask if I can eat later.
Even for a low-cost airline, the food is surprisingly good.
Arrival in Manila — Facing My Own Changed Emotions
We land at last. Manila, Philippines. I feel excited thinking, “So this is Manila.” Last year, I was immersed in work, stuck in logic, almost emotionless—but now, my feelings seem to be slowly returning.
Still, I’m 25 now. The intense excitement I felt at 19 isn’t quite the same. That makes me a little sad. But I realize that consciously choosing to be moved—to feel wonder—is essential to staying young.
SIM Card Troubles
Immigration goes smoothly despite the QR codes—it’s over in no time.
Then comes the SIM card. I had bought a global eSIM via Airalo in Japan—valid in about 180 countries for 365 days. But no matter what I do, it doesn’t connect. So I end up buying a local SIM in the Philippines.
1,100 pesos for 70GB, valid for 30 days—about ¥2,880. Pretty good. Still, I wonder why the global SIM didn’t work. Buying a physical SIM takes time: verification, approvals, even facial photos. It makes me think eSIMs aren’t always as simple as they seem.
Getting Local Currency — My First Exchange in the Philippines
Next, I withdraw cash from a nearby ATM. The 250-peso fee stings a bit, but oh well. I use my WISE card and take out 8,000 pesos—about ¥20,929 (as of May 2025).
The Classic Taxi Trouble — Anxiety, Discovery, and Lessons
Time to get a taxi. I confirm that Grab is the best option and call one. But the driver doesn’t come to the pickup point. He calls me, but it turns out he’s gone to the wrong place. I decide to walk over.
I ask passersby for help, show photos, and repeatedly ask, “Where is this?” Eventually, I find it. Annoying—but also exciting. This is what travel feels like.
A security guard approaches me. “You’re the one, right? I was the one talking to the driver on the phone. He’s over there.” He guides me to the car. Filipinos really are kind.
My Imagination Runs Wild
The driver mentions a 40-peso toll fee later, which makes me a little nervous. It’s not the amount—it’s the what if. Am I being scammed? Did he pay the toll because I only have a 1,000-peso bill?
My imagination spirals: What if he takes advantage of the fact that it’s my first time? What if he demands my bag while I exchange money? I even think about offering Japanese snacks if I don’t have exact change.
Overthinking at full speed.
Finally, we arrive at the hotel. Since it’s metered and my card is registered, the driver shows me the total plus 40 pesos on his phone and confirms it’s okay. Relief floods in. His phone wallpaper is a girl—maybe his daughter. That somehow reassures me. With a 4.9 rating, I guess my worries were unfounded.
Still, starting a world journey with such emotional turbulence is exhausting.
Lesson learned: don’t say it’s your first time, and always carry small bills.
The Start of Hostel Life — A New Chapter in an Unknown Place
I check into the hotel—no, the hostel—in Makati. The floor is massive, with countless rooms, almost like Fabrika in Georgia. I’m assigned a bunk bed on the second level of one room.
Security is excellent: card access, lockers with keys—safe and convenient.
After settling in, I unpack my laptop and head to the lobby to work.
The Streets of Manila
After some work, I step outside and walk to a nearby shopping mall. It’s my first time walking around the Philippines. The air feels different from other Southeast Asian countries—hard to put into words, but deeply intriguing.
I wander the mall and eat at a restaurant near the front—salmon with rice for ¥1,200. A bit pricey, but it’s day one. And it’s delicious.
At the supermarket, I buy water—two 1-liter bottles for ¥80. I ask for a plastic bag, but they only have paper bags, free of charge. No plastic, no paid bags—interesting.
Carrying the bag, I pass luxury hotels. Just one block away, homeless people appear, and the atmosphere changes instantly. The contrast is striking. Someone calls out “Hey” to me—I ignore it.
The Beginning of the Journey — A Night of Self-Reflection
Back at the hostel, I write this diary. I notice many people becoming friends in shared rooms—it looks nice.
Hostels really are places to make new connections. I should make the most of it. While organizing my locker, someone stands next to me, but I can’t bring myself to talk. I still lack the courage to start a conversation. That’s the wall I most want to overcome.
Environment changes everything. I know I can do it. And I will.
End of Day One of My Journey Around the World.
