The Great Escape
onFebruary 9th, 2025
In just over five weeks, I’ll be unemployed for the first time in 14 years. To mark this major life transition, I’m planning a road trip to the southern prefectures of Japan. It’s the perfect time to get away—just as the temperatures begin to warm, but before the heat becomes too intense for Ayumi to enjoy the journey. Last April, we attempted a tour of the beautiful Shikoku region, but the midday sun proved too much for her little paws. That trip was cut short by a day. This year, by starting a few weeks earlier, we might trade some chilly nights for daytime conditions that are just right.
This road trip isn’t just about seeing new places or enjoying time with Ayumi; it’s a chance to reset my mind and shift my focus. After 14 years of working in corporate environments, I’ve decided to dedicate the next 10 months to exploring self-employment. It’s both exciting and intimidating to step away from the predictable structure of office life, but I want to create things that are genuinely useful—not just profitable or exploitative.
I know it won’t be easy, but this feels like the right time to try. With roughly 10 months of savings, I have a window to experiment with ideas, build something meaningful, and see if I can create a sustainable path forward. My goal is to avoid returning to an office setting, where creativity is often stifled by endless meetings, artificial hierarchies, and the pressure to prioritise profit over people.
This trip will hopefully serve as a mental reset—a chance to clear my head, recharge, and start thinking differently about what’s possible.
Of course, this trip comes with a few constraints. Since it’s happening after my current job ends and before I secure new income, sticking to a strict budget will be essential. According to Google Maps, the total driving distance for this adventure is around 3,000 km. My car can travel a little over 600 km on a 30-litre tank of gas, and with fuel currently priced at about 170 Yen per litre, I’ll round that up to 200 Yen to account for higher prices in remote areas. This means I’ll need roughly 150 litres of fuel, bringing the total cost for gas to around 30,000 Yen (just under $200 USD as of February 2024).
To keep costs down, Ayumi and I will camp at 13 different locations along the way. Twelve of these sites are free, and one—with the added benefit of a power outlet—will cost 4,500 Yen (about $30 USD). We’ll bring some food with us but will need to restock every few days since this is a two-week journey. To simplify things and avoid restaurants (where Ayumi isn’t allowed), we’ll stick to basic meals from grocery stores. A rough estimate of 1,000 Yen per day puts our food budget at around 15,000 Yen.
Adding it all up, the trip’s core costs (gas, campsites, and food) come to about 50,000 Yen. There will also be smaller expenses like tolls: crossing the strait to Kita-Kyūshū costs 310 Yen each way, and I may need to stop occasionally to charge batteries if my car’s 60W solar panel and USB port can’t keep up.
Fortunately, most of what we’ll need is already on hand. Our camping gear is ready, along with blankets, extra layers, thermoses, and cooling bags. I’ll bring a spare leash for Ayumi, just in case hers breaks, and pack my old pair of glasses along with my prescription sunglasses. These little precautions should help avoid unnecessary expenses on the road.
Am I forgetting anything? Probably. But I like to think that part of the adventure is learning to adapt.
This trip isn’t just about escaping and resetting mentally; it’s also an opportunity to document the journey and share it with others. I plan to upload updates here on the blog and on YouTube. Since I won’t have unlimited storage space, I’ll need to manage photo and video files along the way. As long as I have decent cell reception, I hope to upload videos semi-regularly. That said, exploring new places with a puppy, setting up camp, and managing gear will probably leave me pretty exhausted most days. If uploads are sporadic, you’ll know why!
The plan is to complete this adventure for under 80,000 Yen. It’ll likely be the only long-distance trip Ayumi and I take this year, and certainly the last before the summer heat arrives. Here’s hoping for good weather, smooth roads, and plenty of memorable moments.
As I drive through the countryside, I’ll be thinking about how to make the most of the months ahead—exploring ideas that could lead to a more meaningful way of working and living. If you’ve got any tips for long-distance road trips, especially with a dog, let me know in the comments. Otherwise, stay tuned for updates from the road!