Lindsey — this line about “stopping the bracing” landed straight in my body. That recalibration you describe — fewer micro-conflicts, less vigilance, a nervous system that doesn’t have to stay armored — feels like the real souvenir of that trip.
I loved the honesty of holding both things at once: the relief of collective restraint and the recognition of what it can cost. That tension — between freedom and friction, individuality and care — is such a useful lens, especially right now. Your framing made Japan feel less like an aesthetic and more like a lived counterexample.
And the reminder that how we direct attention matters — who we spotlight, which stories we tell, what we omit — felt quietly radical. That’s the work, isn’t it? Not just where people go, but how they’re taught to see.
Also: “moving without friction” is going to stay with me for a long time.
Grateful for this dispatch — and for the permission to linger in lightness without denial.
Absolutely — and especially from cultures that prize restraint, care for shared space, and collective ease over constant assertion. Travel has a quiet way of loosening our assumptions without lecturing us. Your work does that too!
I really enjoyed this! Question: did you fly economy to Tokyo? I’m waiting until I get a Premium Economy offer from my Going app, but would love your advice. I’m not a good flyer, esp long flights.
Thank you! We used most of our Air France miles to book premium economy tickets both ways because it was the only way to physically survive that flight lol I work very hard to keep my back pain in check but sitting for that long makes it extremely challenging (it’s challenging even without an existing injury!). Being able to recline quite a bit and have more room made a big difference.
As someone who makes somewhat frequent trips to Paris, I loved your first-timers guide! It gave me ideas for my next visit in February, so merci !
I also loved the Intermarché holiday commercial. It’s the heartwarming video that we all desperately crave. I’m slightly embarrassed if I told you how many times I’ve watched it.
My husband wants to visit Japan so much. He's never been. And it's time for me to return after decades. (My family lived there for 14 years while my father was an expat posted there working with Japan Airlines). Your trip and your posts about it are inspiring me to start planning, and I'll be paying attention to whatever else you write about your trip. Also, thank you so much for linking to my latest Substack post on Mixed Borders. A deep Japanese bow and "arigato" for that!
How lovely—you “stopped bracing.” Cheers to more of that no matter where you are!
The starkest difference, by far, in my own body!
I literally laughed out loud at the ref to Sarkozy’s jail ‘memoir’: thank you Lauren Collins indeed for reading it “so we never have to” 😆
Wonderful, thank you!
Thanks for reading! Happy holidays!
Thanks for the shoutout! :)
Lindsey — this line about “stopping the bracing” landed straight in my body. That recalibration you describe — fewer micro-conflicts, less vigilance, a nervous system that doesn’t have to stay armored — feels like the real souvenir of that trip.
I loved the honesty of holding both things at once: the relief of collective restraint and the recognition of what it can cost. That tension — between freedom and friction, individuality and care — is such a useful lens, especially right now. Your framing made Japan feel less like an aesthetic and more like a lived counterexample.
And the reminder that how we direct attention matters — who we spotlight, which stories we tell, what we omit — felt quietly radical. That’s the work, isn’t it? Not just where people go, but how they’re taught to see.
Also: “moving without friction” is going to stay with me for a long time.
Grateful for this dispatch — and for the permission to linger in lightness without denial.
– Kelly
Thank you for this thoughtful note! I think we could all learn a thing or two from a culture that sees the world differently.
Absolutely — and especially from cultures that prize restraint, care for shared space, and collective ease over constant assertion. Travel has a quiet way of loosening our assumptions without lecturing us. Your work does that too!
I really enjoyed this! Question: did you fly economy to Tokyo? I’m waiting until I get a Premium Economy offer from my Going app, but would love your advice. I’m not a good flyer, esp long flights.
Thank you! We used most of our Air France miles to book premium economy tickets both ways because it was the only way to physically survive that flight lol I work very hard to keep my back pain in check but sitting for that long makes it extremely challenging (it’s challenging even without an existing injury!). Being able to recline quite a bit and have more room made a big difference.
As someone who makes somewhat frequent trips to Paris, I loved your first-timers guide! It gave me ideas for my next visit in February, so merci !
I also loved the Intermarché holiday commercial. It’s the heartwarming video that we all desperately crave. I’m slightly embarrassed if I told you how many times I’ve watched it.
My husband wants to visit Japan so much. He's never been. And it's time for me to return after decades. (My family lived there for 14 years while my father was an expat posted there working with Japan Airlines). Your trip and your posts about it are inspiring me to start planning, and I'll be paying attention to whatever else you write about your trip. Also, thank you so much for linking to my latest Substack post on Mixed Borders. A deep Japanese bow and "arigato" for that!
Thanks for the shoutout, Lindsey! Looks like you had an incredible trip. Welcome home to the chaos ❤️
The video is terrific and you are a fantastic and charming guide. Bonnes Fetes!
Thank you, Gary! It was a lot of fun!
I leave for Japan on Sunday. Can't wait to decompress and experience the awe.
I’m so envious ! I want to go back right now! Have the best time, soak it all up.
Coming to Paris in September and checked the price for hotel folie—3,000 euros per night. Yikes
Wait that’s impossible, it’s a hotel de quartier ! That must be an error. They’re not even 200€ a night.