At Agoda, it goes without saying that travel is at the heart of everything we do. Whether we’re supporting customers or exploring new places ourselves, travel fuels our curiosity and deepens our connection to the world. That’s why the grand prize at our annual Agoda staff party is called the Bridging the World Through Travel prize, as a celebration of our shared purpose. The lucky winners receive extra leave days and the funds to take the trip of their dreams.
This year, one of those winners was Nattanan Yodsrimongkol, a Staff Software Engineer who embarked on a trip to Japan for a full-circle moment amidst the snowy mountains.
Read on to learn about his journey!
An unexpected win
When I found out I had won the prize, I was completely shocked. The first thing that went through my mind was, “Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?” But right after that, the most important thought followed: I couldn’t wait to tell my wife!
Why Japan?
Japan holds a very special place in our hearts. Two years ago, I proposed to my wife there. During that same trip, we’d planned to visit a ski resort, but we arrived too early in the season and the snow hadn’t fallen yet. We were both very disappointed because we really wanted to see real snow.
In that moment, I made a promise to myself: one day, no matter what, I would take her back to Japan to experience real snowfall together. Winning this prize finally made that promise possible!
From Tokyo to the mountains
There were many ‘firsts’ for us on this trip! It all started in Tokyo, where we prepared ourselves for winter, which we had never experienced before. From there, we took a train to Nagano, rented a car, and visited the famous snow monkeys relaxing in their natural onsen.
Next, we headed to Takayama for our long-awaited snow adventure before returning to Tokyo to visit Disneyland and take the Universal Studios Harry Potter tour. Getting to explore each place with my wife made everything even more meaningful. Every little moment experienced together added up to a journey we will never forget.
The most exciting moment was arriving in Takayama. Seeing snow for the first time was breathtaking, and the scenery was so beautiful it almost stopped my heart. I felt a deep sense of accomplishment knowing I had finally fulfilled my promise to my wife, and getting to see her reaction was priceless.
However, there was a moment when reality hit: I realized I had never driven on snowy mountain roads before. That certainly added a whole new level of excitement to our journey!
A road trip we’ll never forget
A highlight of our trip was the journey from Hakuba to Takayama. It took an entire day of driving, and along the way, the scenery slowly transformed from greenery into a world covered in white.
The landscape was alive with beautiful sights. We passed tree houses, temples, and quiet villages – all blanketed in snow. It was like stepping into a postcard. Every stop we made offered a view so picture-perfect, it could easily have been a wallpaper on someone’s screen.
While driving through the mountains, where roads often have just one lane in each direction, I noticed something small that truly impressed me. Up there, you’ll find a number of pull-off points along the road where you can park your car briefly.
I observed that many Japanese drivers, upon realizing that someone behind them was driving faster, would pull over to let the other car pass. I was impressed by this quiet, simple act of consideration, and how it revealed a unique facet of Japanese culture and respect that we wouldn’t have known about otherwise.
Bridging the world through travel
Before this trip, I often wondered how my work at Agoda truly impacts people around the world. While in Japan, I realized just how many people living in remote areas rely heavily on tourism to sustain their communities.
Not everyone wants to leave their hometown, but through Agoda’s platform, we can help connect travelers to these destinations while supporting local livelihoods at the same time. This new perspective has helped me see how my role at Agoda can make a difference in the world, contributing to something much bigger than I had previously imagined.
Growing at Agoda
There’s a saying that goes, “You are who you surround yourself with.” Agoda completely embodies this idea. Being surrounded by outstanding people at work pushes me to become a better version of myself every day. My colleagues are not only talented and driven, but also genuinely open to collaborating and helping others learn and grow.
I’ve had the opportunity to gain new knowledge, insights, and perspectives from working with different teams across the company. Agoda’s fast-paced, data-driven culture also creates space to experiment, learn, and see real results. We’re encouraged to take ownership: if you can demonstrate a better way of doing things, people are open to listening and working together to turn those ideas into action. It’s been incredibly motivating for my personal and professional growth.
Be part of a global team that’s bridging the world through travel. Explore opportunities at Agoda today.
