I never expected to find a lifelong friend through a travel app. But that’s exactly what happened when I matched with Maria on Wander before my Japan trip.
We were both planning to be in Tokyo the same week, both interested in food tours and hidden temples. The app suggested we might travel well together. It was right.
The first meeting
We met at a small ramen shop in Shinjuku. I was nervous – what if we had nothing in common? What if the whole trip became awkward? But within minutes, we were laughing about our shared travel disasters and planning our first temple visit.
The best travel companions are the ones who share your curiosity, not necessarily your itinerary.
Three weeks later
What started as a casual meetup turned into three weeks of shared adventures. From getting lost in Kyoto’s bamboo groves to finding the best street food in Osaka, every day was better because we experienced it together.
A year later, we’re planning our next trip. This time: South America.
