Slow Travel – Long time's the charm
Taking your time may be the most simple and wise luxury of all. A key element of the Slow movement, slow travel is all about making the most of your travels by adopting an unhurried pace. Discover the benefits of this mindful experience, which reduces stress and expands horizons.
A quiet protest
Slow travel was developed as an alternative to overconsumption, social media pressure, environmental damage, and the frantic pace of mass tourism, aiming to offer a more thoughtful experience. Rather than ticking off a list of things to do or see, it encourages travellers to forge deeper connections with local communities, extend stays, relieve stress, pack lighter and opt for sustainable modes of transport. Advocating a return to simplicity and forgetting for a moment our bucket list goals, slow travel celebrates conscious appreciation of the here and now.
Yutori ゆとり: The art of full emptiness
A philosophy reminiscent of yutori, a Japanese concept that embodies the art of slowing down to fully savour the world around us. Composed of yu ゆ, ‘margin,’ and tori とり, ‘to take,’ yutori refers to the space that exists in a quiet moment, such as the silence between two musical notes, the few minutes before an appointment or the breath between two sips of tea. These invisible intervals, concrete or intangible, that allow us to take a step back and observe the world around us.
Multiple and unexpected benefits
By choosing to travel light and keep your schedule uncluttered, slow travel brings a natural sense of calm that affects every aspect of the trip, fostering relaxation and personal well-being. Whether it's taking a nap under a pine in Scotland, kneading pasta dough in southern Italy, learning Spanish in a finca in Colombia or exploring the 88 temples of Shikoku by foot or bike in Japan, slowing down creates more human connections and lasting memories. And these authentic moments can be particularly enhanced by a digital detox. Increasingly popular in Europe,* this break from our screens is far from being a deprivation: it appears as a positive reconnection with the reality that surrounds us, leaving more room for local activities, bonding with our loved ones or reconnecting with ourselves through journaling.
Better organisation for greater freedom
At the core of slow travel is often a well-thought-out packing list for holiday. Smart preparation and minimalist luggage allow travellers to avoid the hassles of the unexpected and increase their freedom of movement. Lightweight suitcases, clever travel accessories, versatile pouches, hanging toiletries bags, packing cubes, multi-size bottles, organisers and other holiday essentials contribute to a more relaxed experience. Travelling ‘slowly’, moving with awareness and without stress, also means travelling light. By removing the unnecessary, you can better focus on what's essential. At MUJI, all travel items are designed with this in mind, whatever the destination. Lightweight, functional and multi-purpose, our essentials for trips far and near fit perfectly into your travel packing list. When travelling light with MUJI, everything is in its place, from daily pills to well-organised clothes, from simplified beauty products to perfectly coiled cables.
Slow travel within reach
A state of mind, slow travel isn't just about extended trips around the world. It can be experienced over a day or two close to home, for an immersion in nature, history or art. Set an intention, choose a destination, pack your holiday essentials, turn off your phone, and relish this rich moment of time off.
*Population in favour of a digital detox: more than a third of UK residents (Jan. 2025, EY study), 77% of French people (Oct. 2024, Routard.com study).