When I travel, I always bring books. This is true whether for work or for pleasure. One might think there are many sights to see on a trip, so one should be looking around rather than reading. But for me, a journey without a book is unimaginable. The books I bring vary widely, from substantial novels to essays, poetry collections, and manga. The most luxurious moments are when I'm preparing for a trip and contemplating which books to bring this time.

As a model, I often have opportunities to travel both domestically and internationally for photoshoots. However, due to lighting and location constraints, we frequently have to leave our accommodation before dawn, and in the evenings, we usually go to bed early to prepare for the next day. If the shoot is at a tourist spot, I might get a little taste of the travel experience. But at its core, it's work, so it's entirely different from a relaxed private trip. In such unique circumstances, reading a book about the place I'm visiting, even for work, makes me enjoy being there.

The travel time between locations and the waiting time for setting up shoots are perfect reading times for me. I have plenty of time to immerse myself, my senses, and my whole being in the atmosphere of the place.



The author is Natsuki Ikezawa, a traveling writer. Ikezawa has lived in various places, including Greece, Okinawa, France, and Hokkaido, and many of his books are filled with the charm of those regions, making me want to travel when I read them. Perhaps the glimpses of reality and the strong persuasiveness in his casual words and descriptions stem from his own real-life experiences.



Looking back, "Hawai'i Kiko" (Hawaiian Travelogue) by the same author, which a friend recommended, was also a book that transformed my anxiety into excitement when I had my first photoshoot in Hawaii a few years ago. In the future, I may travel inspired by Ikezawa's books, or I may find myself visiting a place that happens to be the setting of a novel. Travel memories accompanied by a writer's words are stored within me, becoming even more profound.