Parent made me go to a travel agent to get a quote, and they quoted 7k for a two week trip to Japan. That includes a tour, flights, accommodation and activities. I asked if that could be lower because I'm on a student budget, and got ghosted. I guess they weren't going to make enough commission.

Parents want me to go on a tour because they think I'll be bored, lonely, get lost or something might happen. I like the idea of it because everything is planned and someone is there to look out for you. Bit too exxy though. Solo travel seems a bit scary, especially as a woman. I flew to Sydney solo last year and ended up connecting with a friend. The moments alone were fine, but having a friend just made it more enjoyable. A highlight was my friend and I trying to find each other in the botanical gardens, except she was hiding from me and didn't tell me where she was. Imagine that in Tokyo. The tour company said they can give me a discount, but I'm thinking maybe I should just wait until the end of next year. It sucks because I've hyped myself up for it, but oh well. I waited 20 years before I went overseas (that was added to my HECS debt), so I can wait longer.