Solo travel – Travels With Matt Blog

What to Do If You Experience an Earthquake in Japan: A Traveler’s Guide

Japan is one of my favorite places in the world, but there is one reality every traveler should understand before visiting: Japan has earthquakes.

The recent earthquake in the Kumamoto area is another reminder of that.

On July 28, 2026, a powerful earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan, reaching a magnitude of 7.1 and maximum intensity of 7 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale. The earthquake caused significant damage and disruption across the region.

That doesn’t mean you should cancel your first trip to Japan. Far from it.

But if you’re traveling to Japan for the first time, you should know what to do if the ground suddenly starts moving.

The good news is that Japan has extensive earthquake preparedness systems, early-warning technology and procedures designed around earthquakes. And as a traveler, there are a few simple things you can do to make the experience much less stressful.

The Person Waiting at Home Doesn’t Know This Version of You

There’s a strange thing that happens when you travel long enough.

The person who boarded the plane isn’t quite the same person walking through the streets of Tokyo a week later.

And the person waiting back home? They don’t really know this version of you; maybe they couldn’t.

How to Plan for a Solo Trip Overseas: A Guide to Safe and Stress-Free Travel

Solo travel is an exhilarating experience that allows you to explore new destinations at your own pace. However, planning a solo trip overseas requires careful preparation to ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and safe journey. Here’s how to plan effectively while balancing adventure and security at the same time.

The Drawbacks of Group Travel: 5 Challenges to Keep in Mind When Traveling with Friends

Traveling with others — whether it’s friends, family, or a small group — often leads to unforgettable adventures. Shared laughs, collective memories, and safety in numbers are all big pluses. But group travel isn’t without its challenges.

Here are five real downsides of traveling with others that I’ve personally experienced. These aren’t deal-breakers, but they’re important to know before you plan your next group trip.

The Downsides of Solo Travel: What I Learned Traveling Alone

Traveling solo can be an incredible and empowering experience — but it’s not always sunshine and self-discovery.

In the first part of this blog series, I shared the many benefits of traveling alone in Japan. But just like anything in life, solo travel also comes with its fair share of challenges. From loneliness to safety concerns, here are some of the real downsides of solo travel I experienced firsthand.

5 Eye-Opening Lessons I Learned Traveling Solo

In 2017, I took a leap that would change how I experience the world forever: I booked a solo trip to Japan. It was my first time traveling outside the United States, and I went completely alone.

Was it scary? Absolutely.
Was it worth it? Without a doubt.

In this post, I want to share the best things I experienced while traveling solo in Japan — not just the fun stuff, but the real, eye-opening lessons that came with being on my own in a foreign country. (I’ll also be posting a follow-up soon about the challenges of solo travel, so stay tuned for that.)