Let’s be honest — nothing in the travel world is less serious than Trip Kwon Do.
It’s our playful mashup. A bit of wordplay. A wink at martial arts.

But behind the name? Something we believe is deeply needed in travel today.

We didn’t choose Trip Kwon Do just because it sounds cool (although it does). It holds something true: a belief that real travel isn’t about collecting countries, chasing attention, or conquering “bucket lists.”

There’s an old saying — that a samurai has no goal, only a path. That’s exactly how we see meaningful travel. Destinations may change. Plans may shift. But the way you move through the world? That’s what shapes you.

In Trip Kwon Do, we talk about how you travel — not just where. Because if you’re only going for the photo, you might as well stay home and Photoshop yourself in. A picture without effort, emotion, or story behind it isn’t a memory — it’s a prop. The path is where the real value lies. That’s where travel stops being movement — and becomes transformation.

So What Is Trip Kwon Do?

It’s not a martial art.
It’s not a serious system.
But it is a framework — and a philosophy — that helps us rethink what good travel looks like.

It is about learning to travel more often, more freely, and more deeply — and to give something back to the places and communities that host us. Travel shouldn’t just be consumption. It should be connection, curiosity, and care.

And just like in martial arts, the idea isn’t just to learn tricks or tactics — it’s about gaining discipline, perspective, and respect. Not just for yourself, but for the people and places along the way.

Our (Not-So-Serious) Belt Ranking System

We created our own belt system to guide you through the journey — from curious beginner to conscious traveler. No one’s handing out certifications here. You judge yourself. You track your progress. You decide when you’ve earned the next belt.

Here’s how it works:

🥋 White Belt — Understand why you travel. Not for Instagram, but for real.

🥋🟡 Yellow Stripe (on white belt) — Learn how to overcome travel troubles (and fear of them).

🟡 Yellow Belt — Master the basics of finding cheap flights.

🟡 🟢 Green Stripe (on yellow belt) — Learn how to properly prepare for a trip.

🟢 Green Belt  — Understand the foundations of safe travel.

🟢 🔵 Blue Stripe (on on green belt)— Learn how to budget travel well and get more with less.

🔵 Blue belt — Learn how to pack like a minimalist (and not overthink it).

🔵 🔴 Red Stripe (on blue belt)— Start using travel apps to enhance your experience.

🔴 Red Belt — Learn how to take care of your wellness while on the road.

⚫️ Black Belt — Embrace and practice sustainable travel. Not just in theory, but in action.

How Do You Earn a Belt?

Right now, it’s simple: you read our guides, you reflect, and you try things out.
If something shifts — in how you plan, how you move, or how you think — congrats. That’s your belt.

We’ll eventually build a fun way to track progress (maybe even quizzes and a digital badge system), but for now, we’re keeping it humble. Take what we’ve shared, apply it in your way, and if you feel like you’ve leveled up — you have.

And yes, we encourage you to screenshot your “belt” moment and share it. Not for bragging rights, but to remind yourself that you’re growing. Who knows — maybe in a few years, you’ll look back and smile at how it all started.

Why We Made This

Our Trip Kwon Do (aka Travel-Jitsy) isn’t an ad campaign or a branding trick. It’s just a way to bring structure, meaning, and a little fun into the chaos of modern travel culture. We want to make travel better — for those who go, and for the places we all visit.

A Quick Note to Real Martial Artists

We say this with full respect: Trip-Kwon-Do is all fun and no fight. But the values we admire in martial arts — humility, discipline, and awareness — are the same ones we believe belong in great travel, too. Especially sustainable travel — the kind that leaves places better than we found them.

So, to all black belts of real martial arts: we mean no offense by handing out symbolic ones here. This is our way of recognizing travelers who genuinely care.

Love, peace, and presence —
The Guides & Stories Team