It was released as the second single from her fourth studio and third Japanese language album, Deep River (2002).

It was certified in two categories by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), and was the second best selling single of the year 2002.

[1] This was Utada's first original single to have been handled by Utada, her father, and Miyake since her single releases from her debut album First Love (1999); she had primarily worked with American producers, such as Rodney Jerkins, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis for her second studio album Distance (2001).

The song was recorded and mixed by Ugajin Masaaki and Matsui Atushi in 2001 at Bunkamura Studio, Shibuya, Tokyo.

Kano, editor in chief for Rockin'On Japan magazine noted elements of house music in the song's composition.

[8] The reviewer from Amazon stated that "Traveling" was proof that Utada was one of the most successful singer-songwriters in Japanese music.

[11] Fellow Japanese recording artist Kyary Pamyu Pamyu contributed to The Guardian's music playlist columns, and highlighted "Traveling" as one of Utada's best songs; she further stated in a detailed review: "People living outside Japan will also enjoy her creativity.

[9] In another positive review, a critic from CD Journal complimented the dance composition, but felt the lyrical content was the best feature of the track.

[14] In December 2015, in honor of Utada's comeback into the music business, Japanese website Goo.ne.jp hosted a poll for fans to rank their favourite songs by Utada out of 25 positions; the poll was held in only twenty-four hours, and thousands submitted their votes.

[29] It opens with the camera traveling through a tunnel full of lights, and includes the song's title and Utada's name.

For the first part of the song, it has Utada singing into a microphone, whilst walking inside the head of a spacecraft.

During the pre-chorus, Utada sings in front of a forest-like backdrop, whilst a stop-motion animation of her is walking through the woods, observing disfigured creatures.

[29] During the second verse, it has the spacecraft traveling past the Moon, whilst Utada cleans up the mess the passengers left on their tables.

The second chorus has Utada dancing inside a party, whilst intercut scenes of different stop motion animations are seen.

The final chorus has the spacecraft falling onto the ground, and creates a vast field of flowers, trees, and grass.

[12] At the 17th Japan Gold Disc Awards, "Traveling" won the Music Video of the Year trophy.

[33] The song was performed during Utada's two date concert series Wild Life in December 2010.