Bureaucracy and Blessings: A Road Trip to Japan

Driving to Japan: A Vlogger's Bureaucratic Odyssey Arriving in Japan on day 77 of his epic road trip, Fabio Belnome, known online as "volatadipeluca," faced an unexpected challenge: navigating Japanese customs and the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) to make his Fiat Marea road-legal. The process, as he describes, was "like watching paint dry." He spent hours completing paperwork, dealing with multiple officials, and undergoing vehicle inspections. "The workers moved at a snail's pace," he commented, adding that "four people were doing the work of one." Despite the frustrations, Fabio's perseverance paid off. He successfully cleared customs and entered Japan with his trusty Marea. But the story takes a heartwarming turn. A Japanese follower, Yuri, who speaks fluent Spanish, surprised Fabio at the port. "Imagine my surprise," Fabio said, "to be greeted by a fan who then took me out for an incredible lunch." The lunch, Fabio described as "delicious and fresh," included locally caught fish. The kindness of a stranger, in a foreign country, turned a potentially frustrating day into a memorable one. The video ends with Fabio reflecting on the journey and the joy of reaching Japan. Fabio's story exemplifies the challenges and rewards of long-distance travel. It also highlights the unexpected connections that can be made along the way, proving that even bureaucratic hurdles can be overcome with patience and a little bit of luck.