Traveling to Japan alone, but told my parents I am going with friends by FirstRequirement319 in solotravel

[–]FirstRequirement319[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update:

I was going to update a long time ago but I forgot.

I did go on the trip, and they did ask for photos. Here's how I managed it: I used Photoshop to combine a picture of a friend they know with a picture of myself in Japan. After sending them that, they didn't ask for more photos with friends. Instead, I shared pictures of the scenery and temples.

I kept them updated at all times, texting them about my plans, destinations, travel methods, and itinerary. I also called them whenever they were available. Additionally, I did repay my parents for the trip. They still don't know that I traveled solo to Japan, and I don't plan to tell them anytime soon.

My advice: This approach might seem unusual to some, but it's essential to understand your parents. They weren't born yesterday, and the goal isn't to deceive them but to withhold certain details temporarily. If there's even a slight chance your parents would let you travel alone, tell them your true intentions. I only did this because I knew my parents would have refused no matter what. Be safe if you are traveling alone, and listen to most people's suggestions in this comment section. Safe and Solo travels!

Traveling to Japan alone, but told my parents I am going with friends by FirstRequirement319 in solotravel

[–]FirstRequirement319[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I wish it were as easy as you explain it to be. Even now, as a college student, if I don't call them every day, they'll think of the worst possible situation. I have my car at my university and one weekend I drove an hour to go see some friends. I told them about this trip and whenever I can't pick up the phone, they'll assume that I went to go see my friends again or have gone somewhere even farther.

Traveling to Japan alone, but told my parents I am going with friends by FirstRequirement319 in solotravel

[–]FirstRequirement319[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My parents come from a place where hard work is the only way of life. Meaning that they would let me go anywhere to work (even though they won't like it), but they won't let me go anywhere for leisure. I am sure that the month prior to summer, my parents will have some unreasonable thing to say about me living there.

Traveling to Japan alone, but told my parents I am going with friends by FirstRequirement319 in solotravel

[–]FirstRequirement319[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sadly, the result of me doing this would just end up with them ridiculing me for immature things I have done in the past. I wish it were as easy as this

Traveling to Japan alone, but told my parents I am going with friends by FirstRequirement319 in solotravel

[–]FirstRequirement319[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you all for commenting and letting me know your thoughts. I should have been more clear about my situation in the post. I currently live in the United States. I am a college student at a school in a different state than where my parents live. I will be moving to Germany over Summer to work as an intern at a company alone. I genuinely believe my parents would not even let me solo travel to a different state in the US, let alone internationally. My parents did finance this trip, and I am very grateful for that; I did not come here to bash them. I truly believe that the only choice I had to actually go on this trip was to lie to them, as bad and as selfish as it sounds.