"The Joy of Local Discovery: Taking the Road Less Traveled"

Like many long-term expats, I have a friend who has found his place in his local community. As I was looking at his channel on YouTube, it occurred to me that though to him and locals in the area he lives, it may be a yearly occurrence, to the happenstance traveler it could be a unique experience. I have decided to take a moment to share it with you and opine a bit on my own experiences and how you too may be able to locate something out of the ordinary on your journeys either at home or abroad.

What Lies Beyond?

First things first, the video is in Oiso, which is a small town located south of Tokyo and Yokohama in the Kanto region of Japan. It already has one very key ingredient that many people, travelers, often forget. Hidden gems lie in some of the most unheard-of places. Everyone (quite nearly) that has visited Tokyo has a picture in front of Asakusa and visits a conveyor belt sushi or whatever the dream is. But very few stumble on local festivals, and fewer still into the unknown crevices of a place like Oiso without living there, or knowing someone who does. For years I made a point of getting off the Tokaido Line, at random stops along the way. It was a great change of pace and an opportunity to break through the drudgery and monotony that come with the routine of daily life. That coupled with the fact that I truly detest a crowd, there is no romance in being wedged into a sweaty soup of strangers, but I digress.

Oiso. What my friend from the Chill Japan YouTube Channel (see video) was able to capture is a small festival held at the beginning of every summer which means, if you have the opportunity, you may be able to visit as well.

You won't find this in any local guide nor does the video quite capture the feeling of sand between your toes, the energy of the crowds contrasted against the ocean, and of course the cold beverage you may or may not be enjoying at the time. A small glimpse into Japanese tradition without having to duck under a dozen selfie sticks of Tokyo Tourists fencing for that perfect recreation of every Golden Gai selfie ever done. No, not for those who choose to truly wander. You can carry home an authentic memory, and hey, maybe don't take that selfie and keep the memory just for you, so next time you pop in it remains as pristine as it was when you found it. And maybe if you're lucky, you'll run into my friend; he's not hard to miss. He'll be the one having the most fun if it isn't you already.

Getting "Off-Road"

So how do you find your Oiso moment, you may ask? Here are a few tips from a seasoned wayfarer:

• Find a map or pull one up on your mobile phone or whatever device you're currently using and zoom out enough to follow the train line. Consider things like topography, the streets, and urban density. If you are a driver, find the road that looks interesting, hop in, and go. If it's a train, do something similar. I'm a weirdo like that, unless I have to be somewhere I won't check my watch every five minutes to see if a train is coming, I wait until it arrives and get on, then when I see something interesting or find my random destination I hop off.

• Depending on the season, there may be signs. Whether that is a literal sign, or the sound of distant Taiko Drums, decorations leading in a certain direction, people wearing festive clothing all heading in said direction. Sometimes, especially in Japan, that's all you need to go on. I have followed many a kimono-clad crowd to be pleasantly surprised at festivals. Keep your eyes peeled.

• It may not feel as random but I gotta say it anyway, google friends. Now here's where it's fun, know what area you want to go and break out ole google translate and search in the native language. It may seem like a "No Shizzle" kinda tip, but you'd be surprised how many people only search in their own language.

• Last but not least, it doesn't have to be an actual event. I've wandered into all kinds of places. Sometimes you just get on a bus, train, or whatever and end up wherever you were going. Like that Clint Black song, "wherever you go, there you are."

Check Out and Follow his Page @youtube.com/c/ChillJapan/?sub_confirmation=1

Now, I know that someone, somewhere reading this is thinking to themselves. Yeah right, if you live overseas of course there's adventure around the corner, yada yada. And while they may seem interesting to someone who has never been abroad, they are just as mundane to someone who lives locally just as you may feel your local festivals and such are mundane. But that's not what this is about. It's about getting out and going somewhere else, breaking out of your comfort zone, and seeing where it takes you. If you can't find your inspiration, Check out what other people might be doing and get inspired. That's the whole point of this page.