Japan and Vietnam, by someone who actually lives here.

First-hand guides and honest stories from 8 months backpacking Southeast Asia, living three years in Japan's Hokuriku region, and a current base in Da Nang. Written by a real person who's still figuring it out on the ground.

Planning a Trip? Get my free cheat sheet

Get the free Packing Cheat Sheet. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

New here? Start here →

Where do you want to go?

Start Here

Visas, money, and the reality of working from the road.

Japan

Three years in the snow country: Kanazawa, Takayama, Toyama.

Vietnam

My current home base, street food and motorbikes included.

Surf & Snow

Where to chase waves in summer and powder in winter.

Hey, I'm William

I'm a Florida man who ended up backpacking Europe and Asia for 8 months, then spending three years in Japan's Hokuriku region. Toyama as home base, with Kanazawa and Takayama a short train ride away, before trading the snow for a motorbike and a beach town in Da Nang, Vietnam. Barefoot Surfer is where I write the guides I wish I'd had: the ones written by someone who actually lived in the place, paid the rent, learned the language badly, and figured out the local market prices the hard way. No AI-generated top-10 lists, no places I've never been. Just honest, first-hand travel writing from Japan, Vietnam, and the rest of Asia.

Read my story → Work with me →