Travel is often about perceptions how we see the world and the ideas we hold before stepping foot in a place. The magic of travel lies in the moments of discovery when our assumptions are challenged and we learn that what we thought we knew was incomplete or even wrong. It’s a transformative experience that reshapes our understanding of the world and its diverse cultures.
My first encounter with the power of travel perceptions happened in 1973. I had been given a rare opportunity to establish an American school in Europe for students from the Washington, D.C., area. After searching high and low, I found a large villa in Tuscany, about 40 minutes outside Florence, that would serve as the school’s base.
For most of my students, Europe was an unfamiliar place. Some had never been on a plane, and others held very specific notions about what the continent would be like. In interviews before the trip, I learned that many viewed Europe as a backward region, lacking the cleanliness, order, and sophistication they were accustomed to in the United States. It was an idea based on very limited exposure to the world beyond their homes.
To change their perspective, we gave the students the first two days to sleep, rest, and explore the local villages. But on the third day, we had something special planned. At 5 a.m., we woke them up for what we called a “field trip.” Our destination: Zurich. I wanted them to experience a European city that defied their expectations.
Zurich, with its pristine streets and efficient, automated services, was the perfect antidote to their preconceived notions. The students got to ride the city’s impeccable transportation system, sample local cuisine, and see for themselves how a European city could blend tradition with cutting-edge technology. Within just 48 hours, they began to realize that Europe was not a place to be dismissed it was a place with much to offer. They left with open minds and a new appreciation for cultural differences. It was a lesson that stuck with them throughout their year abroad.
Fast forward to 2024, and my wife and I found ourselves once again traveling, this time on a sailing tour around Japan with 53 clients. We spent several days in Tokyo before embarking on our adventure, and the experience brought back memories of that first trip to Europe. Just like those students, we had arrived in Japan with preconceived notions and like them, we were about to be proven wrong.
Tokyo is one of the most densely populated cities on Earth, with a metro population of over 37 million. It is a city that manages to thrive despite the overwhelming pressure of urbanization. But what truly struck me was how the Japanese have found solutions to the challenges of living in such a crowded environment. The city’s efficiency, cleanliness, and the respect its residents have for one another is a testament to the country’s ability to balance modernity with tradition.
One story that encapsulates the spirit of Tokyo, and Japan as a whole, went viral a few years ago. A 10-year-old boy found a 50-yen note on his way home from school. Instead of keeping it, he told his mother that he needed to report it to the local police station. Tokyo’s police stations are small, and officers are expected to know their neighborhoods and interact with the people who live there. When the boy turned in the money, the officers were kind, polite, and treated the matter seriously. It was a normal response in a culture where honor, respect, and courtesy are deeply ingrained values.
This story highlights something important about Japan its culture of politeness and social responsibility. It’s why bowing is such an integral part of Japanese life. After spending two weeks in this remarkable country, I found myself bowing in return, humbled by the grace and warmth of its people.
Japan, like any other place, is full of surprises that challenge our perceptions. Our experiences in Tokyo reminded us once again that the joy of travel lies not just in the places we visit, but in the way those places can transform our views of the world.