Start the best journey of your youth with a lie!
Last updated 2026-09-24 — [The Journey That Started with a Lie] is adapted from the bestselling novel of the same name by Japan’s million-selling author Kiichi Higashigawa. With profound insight into today’s middle school students and their parents’ generation, Higashigawa’s close-to-the-times perspective...
Text / Compiled and reported by the editorial team of MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network
[The Journey That Started with a Lie] is adapted from the bestselling novel of the same name by Japan’s million-selling author Kiichi Higashigawa. With profound insight into today’s middle school students and their parents’ generation, Higashigawa’s close-to-the-times perspective resonated widely. The book [The Journey That Started with a Lie: A Kumamoto Boy’s Solo Tokyo Pilgrimage] was selected as one of the 20 must-read books for young people in 2012. Its latest sequel, [The Dream That Started with a Lie: The Miracle Dream-Seeking Journey of a Comedy Boy and a Speech Girl], was chosen by a wide readership in Japan as the book they would most like to give to their younger selves.
The movie depicts a journey that began with a lie. (Image provided by Tianma Xingkong)
“Tokyo stinks!” A casual lie told to a classmate snowballed, forcing high school student Kazuya (played by Sano Gaku), who lives in Kumamoto, to secretly embark on a trip to Tokyo. Unable to catch his return flight and with no other options, he was taken in by the kind-hearted airport clerk, Auntie Masami (played by Sugita Kaoru), who let him stay at her home for the night. But that very night, he was scolded: “Kid, just because I’m letting you stay here doesn’t mean you can brazenly sit down and chat over tea. Remember, you’re not a guest—you’re a freeloader!” As a result, Kazuya was forced to clean the room and the toilet, and he suddenly came to realize how his mother had done so much housework every day without ever complaining...
The movie portrays a journey of self-reflection that began with a boy’s lie. (Image provided by Tianma Xingkong)
Along the journey, the boy comes to understand that every coincidence in life holds meaning. (Image provided by Tianma Xingkong)
Entrusted by Auntie Masami, Kazuya goes to find her ex-husband, Akiyama (played by Tsukamoto Shinya), who lives in Shizuoka. This leads Kazuya on a life journey entirely different from before, where encounters with various people, events, and things spark words of wisdom that seem ordinary yet shine with insight. An unintended lie to save face leads the 17-year-old to face himself and experience a journey of life. The people and events along the way will become some of the most beautiful and precious memories—chance encounters that turn out to be many of life’s inevitabilities...
The movie poster for The Journey That Started with a Lie. (Image provided by Tianma Xingkong)
Share
This article is published by HowToTrip. Sharing and reposting are welcome — please credit the source.
Article URL: https://www.howtotrip.net/views-37905
Related Articles
- Shaoxing's "Grandpa Gourd" hangs the gourds back up: "If there are too many people, we'll interact less — just take a quick look from afar"
- Chinese authorities announce "reciprocal adjustment" to Japan visa fees — single-entry visa jumps from 2,250 to 16,750 yen!
- The "health stones" carried by a traveler were found to have radiation levels exceeding safety limits by a thousand times, potentially endangering fellow passengers on the same flight. Customs issues warning!
- Shenzhen Airport Issues Late-Night Notice: Unidentified Aerial Object Detected, Causing Widespread Flight Delays!
- “They only said it cost money after I opened the box and washed it!” 200g of grapes sold for 60 yuan on a high-speed train—12306 responds!
- Can't buy an airline ticket? Denied exit? Blocked from boarding? A large number of Chinese tourists have mysteriously become "discredited individuals"
- Adverse weather and economic fluctuations impact Colombia's coffee market
- Beach bathing area responds to 2 yuan/30 seconds fee for freshwater foot rinsing: Clearly priced!
- Taking off with an improperly closed cabin door? Wing malfunction? Multiple flights made emergency returns mid-journey!
- Experience the gifts of nature！ A countdown of the world’s ten most stunning coastlines