TRAVEL WELL

No matter the distance or duration, travelling offers a refreshing break from the daily grind. Immersed in new environments and observing how others live, we open ourselves to fresh perspectives and broaden our horizons. Ideally, we return home feeling enriched and inspired to live our best lives.

But what does it mean to travel well? Perhaps the joy of travelling lies in the mindset we bring to the journey, and the one we return with, rather than the destination. After all, the journey begins the moment we step outside our door. In a new series of illustrations for ANOTHER LAND, Japanese illustrator Saki Obata captures the often-overlooked places that invite moments of introspection during travel.



At the airport

Seen as a “non-place”—a term coined by French anthropologist Marc Augé to describe transient spaces where large numbers of people pass through anonymously—the airport is an integral part of the travel journey. It primes travellers to shed their usual roles and adopt the singular identity of a passenger. As we focus on navigating airport tasks, we can begin to detach from the burdens of daily life.



In the plane

Gazing out of the window at a moving landscape offers a conducive space for introspection. Despite the physical discomfort, the plane’s confined setting strips away the unnecessary demands of modern life, compelling us to reconnect with our innermost thoughts and emotions. Free from external distractions, we tune in to what truly matters.



At the hotel

Far from home, surrounded by unfamiliar views, we are often reminded of how small we are in the vastness of the world. New perspectives help shift our thinking. As Alain de Botton notes in The Art of Travel (2002), “Perhaps because unhappiness can stem from only having one perspective to play with.” A small change, like taking time to contemplate the night sky or indulging in self-care—things we rarely do in our busy lives—can spark meaningful reflections.

For self-care, ANOTHER LAND recommends applying Healing Verdure Hand Cream at any point in your journey. From palms to fingertips, this cream hydrates and softens hard-working skin while offering the refreshing notes of springtime essential oils, such as German Chamomile and Siberian Fir.

Shop the Healing Verdure Hand Cream here.

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小幡彩貴 SAKI OBATA
illustrator / graphic designer

Graduating from the Kuwasawa Design Institute in 2009, Saki Obata worked as a graphic designer at NanoNano Graphics from 2010 to 2014. She currently works as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer. Apart from illustrating books, she has also contributed her illustrations to magazines and books. Her personal work includes illustrating seasonal themes.