The Sober Globetrotter

09/06/2026

About a week into traveling through Asia with my parents, I realized something:
This wasn't my trip.

I had a list of neighborhoods I wanted to explore, restaurants I wanted to try, and day trips I wanted to take. But I can come back next year. Or the year after that.

My parents are in their seventies, and I won't always get another chance to travel with them.

The trip got better when I stopped trying to squeeze every possible experience out of it and started focusing on sharing the experience with them.

Slowing down. Staying for one more cup of coffee. Sitting on the bench a little longer. Actually being where we were instead of thinking about where we were going next.

The best memories weren't the things we checked off the list.
They were the moments we had room to enjoy together.

07/06/2026

Japan Is a Country Run by Nerds (And That's Why I Love It)

Japan isn't a country run by nerds because it likes anime and video games.

It's a country run by nerds because it treats enthusiasm itself as something valuable.

Cherry blossoms. Goldfish. Architecture. Train stations. Regional apples. Tiny design details nobody else would even notice.

Japan takes the things people love and encourages them to go further.

After spending more than two months exploring the country, I became convinced that this might be the secret ingredient that makes Japan feel so magical.

My newest essay is now live on The Sober Globetrotter.

thesoberglobetrotter.com/japan-is-a-country-run-by-nerds/↗

05/06/2026

One of my favorite travel hacks that almost nobody seems to know about.

If you don't have Global Entry, the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app can save you a ridiculous amount of time when returning to the U.S. after an international trip.

Last time I used it, the regular customs line was over an hour.
I was through in just a few minutes.

It's free, official, and takes almost no time to set up.

Save this for your next international trip. ✈️

04/06/2026

People think Japan is difficult.

They imagine language barriers, confusing train systems, unfamiliar customs, and a destination that's somehow only for "advanced" travelers.

After spending more than two months there over the last year, I came away with a completely different conclusion.

Japan isn't difficult.
It's different.

And beneath all that unfamiliarity is one of the safest, cleanest, most intuitive countries I've ever traveled through.

New on the blog:
Japan Is Easier Than You Think
🔗 Link in bio

Stay curious, and don't forget the snacks.

03/06/2026

Japan Is Easier Than You Think (And One of the Best Places to Fall in Love with Travel)

Japan has one of the biggest image problems in travel.

People imagine language barriers, confusing train systems, unfamiliar customs, and a destination that's simply too difficult to navigate.

After spending more than two months in Japan over the last year, I've come to believe the opposite is true.

Japan isn't difficult.
It's different.

And beneath that unfamiliarity is one of the safest, cleanest, most intuitive, and most welcoming countries I've ever visited.

The thing that surprised me most wasn't how different Japan felt.
It was how often it felt like the country was actively helping me succeed.

02/06/2026

Japan is a country run by nerds.
And I mean that as the highest possible compliment.

I love that Japan looks at hobbies, passions, interests, and niche obsessions and says:
"Cool. Let's take that a little too far."

Case in point: an immersive art experience dedicated entirely to goldfish.
Not fish.
Goldfish.

And it is absolutely magical.

This is the first installment of a new series exploring all the wonderfully specific things Japan has decided to get REALLY excited about.

Stay curious, and don't forget the snacks.

01/06/2026

I had one of those breakthroughs this week that is both life-changing and incredibly annoying.

You know the kind.

The ones where you've been smashing your forehead into a brick wall for years, only to realize there was a perfectly good door ten feet away the whole time.

I've spent years trying to create the perfect travel blog post. The ultimate guide. The complete story. Every lesson, every tip, every memory, all wrapped up in one masterpiece.

And because I was trying to tell every story at once, I wasn't telling any stories.

Turns out I don't need one giant masterpiece.
I need one story.
One idea.
One moment that mattered.

It feels obvious now. Which is exactly what makes it so frustrating.

Has anyone else had a breakthrough recently that should have been obvious years ago? 😂

Stay curious, and don't forget the snacks.

30/05/2026

I genuinely do not understand people who have no interest in visiting Japan.

After spending more than two months traveling through the country over the last year, I've become a little obsessed with what makes it feel so different from anywhere else I've been.

It's not just the food, the temples, or the famous sights.

It's the tiny details. The craftsmanship. The feeling that even ordinary moments deserve care and attention.

I finally sat down and tried to put that feeling into words.

🇯🇵 My new blog post is now live:
"Why Japan Might Be the Best Travel Destination on Earth"

Link in bio.

Stay curious, and don't forget the snacks.

30/05/2026

What do you mean you have no interest in Japan? Utter nonsense.

Since getting home, I've found myself having the same conversation over and over again. Some people absolutely love Japan. Others tell me they have no interest in ever going.

After spending more than two months traveling through the country over the last year, I genuinely don't understand the second group.

So I finally sat down and tried to put into words what makes Japan feel so special—not just the landmarks, food, or famous sights, but the thoughtful little details woven into everyday life.

My first new blog post in months is now live:
🇯🇵 Why Japan Might Be the Best Travel Destination on Earth
(↗)

Stay curious, and don't forget the snacks.

After spending more than two months traveling through Japan, I’ve come to believe it may be the best travel destination on earth. Here’s why Japan feels so different—and why I think everyone should experience it at least once.