Goodbye Japan: An Emotional Farewell Trip to Karuizawa 🇯🇵🇻🇳

Goodbye Japan: An Emotional Farewell Trip to Karuizawa 🇯🇵🇻🇳

What touched Aihi most abroad was the people. That kindness once saved Aihi. That experience inspired Aihi to create a “home” in Japan- So Aihi dreamed of creating a home-like family in Japan. A place that gently supports someone in need. That wish began Aihi’s homestay. Thu from Vietnam joined the program. Thu was anxious at first, but soon she smiled as part of family. Vietnam has almost no earthquakes. With courage, Thu went to Noto Seven hours by car… Our guide was Takuro, a survivor himself. The burnt smell, the frozen landscape and still, people helped each other, choosing to live. That kindness and strength will grow into a bond between our countries. Life breathes in the bamboo grove. An endangered flower blooms quietly. new life rises from the earth. Thu’s first bamboo shoot a moment like witnessing birth. In Japan and Vietnam, bamboo shoots are spring’s blessing. Our food stories intertwined. We felt the warmth of the soil, the wonder of life and that after sorrow, new buds always appear. Her first encounter with taiko drums a sound that needs no words, the heartbeat of Japan’s spirit. Birthdays in Japan were always quiet. Thu’s heart returned to Vietnam, to her family. Her mother’s gentle voice came through the phone “You’re going to Japan?” A voice filled with worry. Yet Thu believed in herself and stepped toward a new future. Her last birthday in Japan surrounded by friends, wrapped in laughter. The message card became proof of hearts truly connected. The feelings born that day became her lifelong treasure. The sky over Shinjuku gently embraced all she had endured. Different countries, yet one heart. In the warm hands of friends, a real bond grew. Then Thu said one line… “Please travel with me one last time in Karuizawa.” Thu chose Karuizawa, Nagano. A summer retreat discovered by foreigners over 100 years ago a place where Japan feels gently foreign. Before the world-clock tower, Our new journey quietly began. Japan’s autumn was awakening. Moss spoke without words a symbol of Japanese beauty and silence. a hard-to-book culinary gem. A special taste shared by only 200 guests. Where Japan and Italy meet on a plate. Shinshu salmon & seafood marinade apple-onion dressing Whitebait & asparagus pizza Two countries shaking hands. Pomodoro pasta Simple, yet delivering red happiness. Matcha tiramisu Italian sweetness with Japanese calm. Her gently tucked-away camera holds a story. The line is now part of the scenery Three faces, six hands A guardian who heals suffering and clears confusion Embracing every traveler Its rare form carries one wish: “May all travelers return safely” TsuruTonTan’s first resort-style restaurant “Botanical × New Vintage” A space blending nature with nostalgic charm Featuring popular limited dishes inspired by Shinshu flavors The Bee-covered Man Snoopy’s freedom draws Japanese. Famous for handmade ham & sausages Colorful chopsticks and rests Cute like candy In Vietnam, chopstick rests aren’t used Mt. Fuji designs Real flowers inside the chopstick rests In Vietnamese, chopsticks are‘đũa.’ Awaiting my reunion with Thu A journey to learn language and culture Mitarashi dango, natto, okonomiyaki, takoyaki The taste of Japan Swords and ninja stars Koi wishing for success and growth So very Japanese Lucky Zodiac Chopsticks Japan and Vietnam Both use “12 animals” for birth years What? Not a rabbit, but a cat? Not a sheep, but a goat? These little differences are so cute Lovely but too big to take home so our friend gifted her two small plates. Gifts for family and friends Beautiful Kabuki and ukiyo-e designs Japanese swords are really popular They’re often not allowed on board Check with your airline Karuizawa classic Their specialty: mocha soft serve A wooden church by Antonin Raymond Pipe organ tones echo through the forest Hand-carved wooden stamps A rabbit sign leads the way A patisserie wrapped in moss and forest Afternoon tea feels special here Basho’s Haiku Stone A Verse from The Nozarashi Travelogue A snowy morning-travelers and horses passing by A scene that moves AiHi’s traveler’s heart Karuizawa Shaw Memorial Chapel The oldest church in Karuizawa Cross and Japanese tiles in harmony A direction plate guiding the journey Her camera-travel companion Her “window of the heart” Built by missionary A.C. Shaw Birthplace of Karuizawa as a resort Shaw House Memorial Warm wood with a hint of the foreign Oh? A bath? The second floor shows life as it was Thu is right beneath my window So tiny, Thu! She aimed her camera up That shot became one of her memories A famous eel specialty shop Kikugawa, the 4th generation Run by a 90-year-old wholesaler Their signature: “One Whole Eel” A poet and storyteller of the Taishō and Shōwa eras The literary master, Muro Saisei His summer retreat in Karuizawa A sanctuary where nature and literature meet Visited by Kawabata, Shiga, Akutagawa, and others Photos and personal belongings in tatami rooms A moss garden like a quiet sea of green Where light and wind softly intertwine Silence speaks more deeply than words Beside it, “Suzunone” A historic forest cafe breathing with time Kawakamian’s sister restaurant Hidden retreat for sake and Japanese dishes. An adult hideaway A renowned Karuizawa icon Enjoy Japan’s long-life healthy food: soba. Fragrant Shinshu soba with freshly fried tempura A modern space you wouldn’t expect from a soba shop. After eating, warm yourself with soba-yu. In Japan, we say “Itadakimasu” before eating. After the meal, we say “Gochisousama.” Words honoring the ingredients and the hands that crafted them Vietnam has no set greetings before or after meals. But recently, people say “Let’s enjoy meal together” It’s said to be” Mời mọi người dùng bữa.” Wherever you are ,I’m always right by your soba. (“soba” = “near you” & “soba noodles”) Bought sweets from “Sawamura” A small celebration for the two AiHi poured her heart into it A handmade photo card Thu’s long-awaited visit to Shiraito Falls National Asama Wildlife Protection Area A living cycle within the national forest A single camera Thu bravely bought A meeting with a new self A stunning photo spot she found a love for photography in Japan Height: 3 m ・ Width: 70 m Groundwater falls like white threads A nature trail leads above the falls Wooden steps that seem to go on forever Seeing Japan through a friend’s lens A stirred heart begins Thu’s journey of learning “Ugh, this is tough!” Thu: “It’s exercise!” Light and shadows of the trees A breathtaking view overlooking the falls Shutter clicks blend with the sound of water Souvenir shop A chance encounter at the bus stop “Where did you study Japanese?” A university in India “Traveling?” Do you live in Japan? They were Indians living in Japan Vegetarian manju “Is it good?” I was very happy to meet you all May Japan and India stay close They followed this YouTube channel Colors like Japan’s four seasons Across from the always-crowded Kawakamian Same group’s bakery-restaurant Natural yeast bread Sea “jewels” on the plates Roast beef with forest aroma Golden baked lasagna A cozy space embraced by the woods Postcard of a thistle and butterfly From faraway Vietnam, Thu landed here And will fly again “Moss” the quiet beauty of Japan A rare sight: Karuizawa’s iconic roundabout A literary monument of author Masamune Hakucho Gentle ripples spread around the ducks. A tiny lens of memories In a foreign land, she finds a new self. Her camera becomes her “window.” Koichi Ishikawa, a painter who loved wildflowers Painting “life” through blossoms Thu is moved The sound of time rings in the Karuizawa sky. The sunset colors the town. Everyone enjoys their own moment. A little souvenir stroll. Famous for ham and sausage. Nagano is one of Japan’s top walnut regions. Local craft beer with a highland breeze. Soba-flour pasta from Shinshu. Apple × coffee Karuizawa specialty. The sky signals the end of the journey. Stained glass holds the day’s last light. Mashiko-ware pots filled with flavor. Toge no Kamameshi sold out again. Lined up on the Shinkansen platform. Thu grabs bottled milk from a vending machine. Anime vending machines catch her eye. On the train, she tastes Yatsugatake milk. Retro and cute even the paper cap feels nostalgic. A postcard set Thu received from Aihi. What was the most interesting? I didn’t know any flower names… Seeing the real ones and walking around was fun. Vietnamese practice: We went to Shiraito Falls, right? “‘Falls’ in Vietnamese is thác.” Keep the ending soft. Aihi’s accent is a little different (haha). “Thank you” is Cảm ơn. It was fun, wasn’t it? “Be careful going home” is Đi đường cẩn thận. Vietnamese is a language where tone is everything One sound can carry six meanings A gift Aihi received from Thu. These photos were taken by Thu. Each shot holds her gentle, warm gaze. Every image carries her feelings— stories of the beautiful moments she found in Japan. Thu, how was life in Japan? I remember meeting you through homestay. I still recall our first encounter. It was a program to help you adjust to Japan. You looked a little anxious then, and I was worried about you. But at the welcome party , your smile made me feel relieved. After that, we traveled to many places in Japan. Our visit to Noto in Ishikawa stood out. It left a deep impression on me. The scars of the quake were still there, but people were helping each other even in hard times, I wanted you to see that You will face many trials in life too. When that happens, remember what we saw in Noto. When life feels painful, remember—you are not alone. Thu, thank you for coming to Japan. We will always be friends.

Discover Karuizawa, one of Japan’s most beautiful destinations — full of nature, healing scenery, and heartfelt memories.
This vlog follows Thu 🌸 from Vietnam as she takes her final journey in Japan — filled with connection, hope, and gratitude.

📍 Locations in this video
Karuizawa Show Memorial Chapel
Kawakami-an (Soba restaurant)
Shiraito Falls
Kumoba Pond
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza
Shinkansen journey back to Tokyo

🎥 Video Chapters
00:00 Goodbye Japan — Forever Memories
04:32 The Final Journey to Karuizawa
15:47 Karuizawa Show Memorial Chapel
22:40 Kawakami-an
24:58 Shiraito Falls
29:46 Friends from India
33:23 Kumoba Pond
35:30 Prince Shopping Plaza
38:03 The Last Conversation
43:29 Japan Through Thu’s Eyes

📝 Story
Thu came to Japan from Vietnam.
What began with uncertainty gradually grew into a bond that felt like family.

In Noto, she witnessed the quiet strength and kindness of people after the earthquake.
In a spring bamboo forest, she felt the breath of life.
The sound of the taiko drums spoke deeper than words.
And a birthday she once spent alone ended with a smile.

Before returning to her homeland, she said,
“I want to take one last trip.”
The place she chose was Karuizawa in Nagano.

The wind crossing the lake, the scent of the forest,
the stillness of a church —
and the soft white light swaying at Shiraito Falls.
Each scene gently wrapped her farewell to Japan.

The small conversations along the way.
The cards we exchanged, the laughter, the photos —
all of them became memories of the heart, reaching beyond borders.

Through the little camera she picked up in Japan,
the lens quietly captured the inner landscape this journey painted for her.

Different countries, one heart.
May this travel story gently accompany your journey, too.

🌏 Turn on subtitles for the best experience!
Subtitles available in 17 languages.

📌 Hashtags
＃Japan Travel ＃Japan Vlog ＃Cinematic Vlog ＃Life in Japan ＃Visit Japan ＃Nagano ＃Karuizawa ＃Day trip from Tokyo ＃Emotional＃Farewell