20/10/2026
Some places make you feel something you can't quite explain.
I visited an island for work, but as I walked around its little harbor, listened to the sounds of the port, and felt the sea breeze, something about the place felt strangely familiar.
The sound of the waves.
The creaking of boats in the harbor.
The smell of the sea.
The warmth of the people.
The surroundings reminded me so much of the town where I grew up that I found myself thinking of home, even though this island is far away from it.
Nothing extraordinary, perhaps. Just everyday life in a small port town.
But somehow, it made me feel nostalgic, a little emotional, and strangely at home.
In recent years, especially among younger people in Japan, a casual word has become popular for this kind of feeling: “emoi”.
It can describe something nostalgic, moving, or emotionally touching — a feeling that's difficult to put into words.
As a guide, I think traveling is about more than visiting famous landmarks or checking places off a list.
It's also about noticing the little things — the atmosphere of a town, the sounds of everyday life, and the kindness of people you meet along the way.
Sometimes, a place becomes special because it reminds you of a feeling you've known before.
And sometimes, you don't need to explain that feeling.
You just know.
