Solo Travel in Japan: An Amazing Experience of Discovery

Introduction

Solo travel, a practice that may seem strange to those who are accustomed to companionship and enjoy group fun. Most people I’ve shared my solo travel experience in Japan with have a reaction like, “Really? And what did you do alone? Weren’t you bored?” This surprises me because they probably overlook some of the most interesting aspects of solo travel.

The answer to their surprise, however, is a resounding “No.” I wasn’t bored, and in fact, I had more fun and excitement than when traveling with others.

If you’re already familiar with this type of experience, you can probably stop reading here. You know the pros and cons of traveling alone, and this article may not add anything new to your knowledge.

But if you’ve never even considered the possibility of solo travel in japan, then take a few extra minutes and allow me to show you where the magic of traveling alone lies.

What happens when you embark on a journey with your friends, partners, or family? You have a different experience and discover new places, but you also bring along your daily routine.

How you are and how you behave at home are how you are and behave during a trip. You bring your essence and your conventions, which are a result of the relationships you have with your loved ones. In other words, you bring your comfort zone!

Say no to your comfort zone

You have probably read many times how the comfort zone keep you stagnant in your life’s journey, preventing you from evolving or growing. By setting off alone, no matter the destination, you kick yourself out of your comfort zone, and that’s where the magic begins.

You strip away everything that defines you at home and discover stuff that you probably didn’t even know you had.

I have always been quite introverted, with little desire and ability to meet new people outside my circles. I have always struggled to strike up conversations with strangers, due to my shy and introverted nature.

Why I wanted to Solo Travel at Least Once

One of the reasons I wanted to embark on this solo travel experience was to personally verify if what I had read about it was true—whether this type of experience truly has the power to bring out qualities and talents from our deepest selves that we didn’t even know we had.

So after completing a significant and resources devouring project in 2017, I bought a ticket for a 30-day trip to Japan, a country I love and had already visited twice before.

It was the most extraordinary experience of my life.

Embarking on a solo adventure to Japan is an unparalleled experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the captivating blend of ancient traditions, modern marvels, and unique cultural experiences. Traveling solo in Japan offers the freedom to set your own pace, explore hidden gems, and create meaningful connections.

In this article, I will guide you through the essential steps to make the most of your Japanese solo journey. From planning to navigating, let’s unlock the secrets to a fulfilling and unforgettable solo travel experience in Nihon.

Embrace the Solo Spirit

Solo Travel in Japan has more pros than cons. I understand that if you’re not used to being alone or if you don’t enjoy solitude, it might be difficult for you to see the advantages. But try, if possible, to have this experience because it can truly enrich you like few others.

“Removing” companionship from a trip is, in a way, like eliminating background noise that distracts you from the journey itself. You should want to immerse yourself in the country culture, customs, and cuisine, and interact with its residents. Having a travel companion limits you in this regard.

Let me briefly outline the pros and cons of solo travel, adding my personal experience with Japan:

Pros

• Freedom and flexibility: You can do whatever you want, whenever you want, without having to compromise with anyone else. I only loosely planned my activities in Japan because I knew I would get lost in the cities and let the flow of the moment guide me. I had no one to be accountable to regarding schedules and itineraries. Doesn’t this sound empowering in itself?

• Personal growth: Traveling solo can be a great way to challenge yourself and step outside of your comfort zone. It can also help you learn more about yourself and discover your capabilities. I was never someone eager to try new experiences and venture into the unknown. This experience pushed me further. Once I returned, I couldn’t wait to embark on another solo journey.

• Meeting new people: When you travel alone, you’re more likely to meet new people and make friends. Being alone naturally puts you in situations where you have more opportunities to connect and interact with others. I wanted to save on accommodation, so I primarily stayed in hostels, and here I met people who became friends. To this day, I occasionally speak with them on the phone. I would never have had the chance or the time to meet and get to know these individuals otherwise. Furthermore, thanks to these new friends, I joined activities and places that I wouldn’t have experienced by myself. This can be a great way to learn about different cultures and perspectives.

• Independence: Traveling solo can give you a sense of independence and self-reliance. You’ll learn how to take care of yourself and navigate challenges on your own. Similar to personal growth, I was alone in a foreign country and could only rely on myself to solve problems. I had to interact with various people to gather information about certain transportation options, speaking a language that wasn’t mine. This, among other things, made me more responsible.

• Affordability: Traveling solo can be more affordable sincxe you can sleep in hostels or sharing accommodations. Even though it might seem like splitting accommodation costs among multiple people would save money, nothing beats the affordability of staying in hostels. Japanese hostels, in particular, are among the cleanest, brightest, and most well-organized hostels I’ve ever seen. Check hostels bookings I made in 2017, prices may have increased since then, but should give you an idea.

Cons

• Loneliness: It can be lonely to travel alone, especially if you’re not used to it. This wasn’t much of a problem for me, but I understand that some people may feel uncomfortable in such situations. This is also why you’ll feel the urge to meet new people while traveling.

• Safety: This is probably the most important con, especially for women. However, it’s not a significant issue in Japan, which is one of, if not the safest country to travel to. The biggest safety concern I had during my trip was the security of my photography equipment. I carried a backpack full of valuable items, and since I didn’t want to leave it unattended while I took a shower, I had to bring it with me into the bathroom in hostels that didn’t provide lockers. Aside from that, I never encountered any dangerous situations. Some general recommendations to ensure your safety when traveling alone are to be aware of your surroundings, avoid walking alone at night, and stay in well-lit areas.

• Homesickness: It’s normal to feel homesick when you travel alone, especially if you’re traveling for an extended period of time.

Where the Excitement Begins: Start Planning your Solo Trip to Japan

You are free from any ties. You don’t have to be accountable to your girlfriend, friends, or family for your trip.

Probably just to your boss, unless you’re lucky enough to work for yourself, in which case, you are your own boss. But to organize a solo trip, all you need to do is decide when to leave and book your ticket.

In 2017, I knew I wanted to take a leap and do something liberating after finally completing the project that had kept me busy and stressed for many years.

I knew I wanted to visit Japan during Hanami, springtime, the cherry blossom season, and as I always been a freelance, I didn’t have to ask for time off from work; I was completely free.

I chose a 30-day period in the height of spring and booked my flight.

Once I had secured the departure and return dates, I began outlining the itinerary that would take me to explore the best places to see sakura in Japan, some of which I had already seen and others that were new to me. I tried to maintain a balance between famous locations and lesser-known, off-the-beaten-path destinations (I generally love doing things that the masses overlook).

Building the itinerary is one of the most exciting parts of trip planning for me. Choosing the destinations, the stops, what to see, what to do. Planning the logistics, but not going overboard because we don’t want to be constrained by our own schedules; we want to be free.

Below is a list of “priorities” during the planning phase:

Budgeting and Financial Planning

Contrary to what one might think, Japan is not an expensive destination, as long as you know how to adapt.

Accommodation, food, transportation, and experiences are the main expenses, but let’s see how you can save and how I managed to keep costs down during my 30-day trip.

Accommodation

Solo Travel in Japan allows you to save on accommodation by choosing to stay in hostels. While hostels may not have the best reputation, those in Japan are a pleasant exception. Since I had to sleep for 30 days, it was essential for me to save as much as possible. Hostels turned out to be a wallet-friendly option that allowed me to enjoy some nights in beautiful and more expensive locations, such as staying in a temple on Mount Koya.

Search for hostels or guesthouses on booking platforms, and you won’t be disappointed. The compromise is sacrificing some privacy and not having a personal bathroom, but considering the savings and the opportunity to meet new people, it’s an acceptable trade-off.

Food

While solo travelling In Japan, you can eat well and spend very little, almost always. To keep it brief, Japan has excellent cuisine, and contrary to urban legends, sushi is not the main dish. I remember spending at least 40 minutes one evening searching for a sushi place in downtown Tokyo, without success.

Although I love sushi, I am also a fan of other Japanese dishes such as ramen, curry, fried pork, and takoyaki. If you haven’t tried these dishes, I highly recommend doing so as soon as possible.

While wandering the streets of big cities, you’ll be surrounded by izakayas (small shops mainly serving grilled meat) and various restaurants. On average, you can have a hearty dinner in these places for around €9 to €12. I remember eating huge bowls of ramen filled with noodles, meat, and vegetables (a complete and satisfying meal) for about €10.

It’s a different story if you want to try different culinary experiences like the famous Kobe beef or high-end sushi like at Jiro’s in Tokyo (Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten). These experiences might be more expensive, but they are worth splurging on.

To summarize, once again, if you are open to compromise, eating in Japan is not expensive.

Bonus tip: To save as much as possible during my 30-day stay in 2017, I often had Onigiri for lunch and dinner, purchased from the legendary 7-Eleven and Family Mart convenience stores. These stores are small supermarkets open 24/7, where you can find all sorts of goodies, including snacks, instant ramen, and, of course, Onigiri. It’s worth noting that Onigiri is prepared fresh daily and costs around 100-200 yen per piece (about €0.60-€1.00).

Getting Around

Public transportation in Japan is likely to be the most expensive aspect of your trip.

The Japanese train and metro lines are extraordinary. The shinkansen will take you to almost every corner of the country with unmatched comfort, precision, and speed.

As a result, these services come at a significant cost, but let’s see how we can tackle the issue:

JAPAN RAIL PASS

The Japan Rail Pass (JRP) is a fixed-price pass sold exclusively to foreigners in Japan, allowing you to take any Shinkansen (except for Nozomi and Mizuho types) to any destination. The voucher has a fixed cost that you’ll pay at the time of purchase, but then you can board the trains without buying a ticket.

It is available in different durations of 7, 14, or 21 days, with costs increasing accordingly. In my travels, it has always been more cost-effective compared to paying for individual routes, but it depends on how many and which trips you need to make.

Therefore, my advice is to check the cost of individual routes once you have planned your itinerary, then compare it with the cost of the pass and determine if it will save you money or not. Note that starting from October 2023, the price of the Japan Rail Pass will increase by almost double, so keep that in mind and check the new costs.

TOKYO METRO

The Japan Rail Pass does not allow you to travel on the Tokyo Metro, except for the lines operated by JR (Japan Railways), such as the Yamanote Line.

For tourists visiting Tokyo, it is possible to purchase a special pass for 24, 48, or 72 hours, valid on all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines from the first use.

You can purchase this special ticket at Haneda and Narita airports, selected hotels in Tokyo, various travel agencies (including JTB, JR East, JR West, H.I.S.), and some stores such as BIC Camera, Laox, and Sofmap. For all the details, I recommend visiting the official website of Tokyo Metro.

These passes cost 800 yen for the 24-hour pass, 1,200 yen for the 48-hour pass, and 1,500 yen for the 72-hour pass; children pay exactly half of the fare.

Experiences

When it comes to experiences, the opportunities to save money are limited. You will have to pay for admission tickets to all the attractions that require them, and there are plenty of things to see.

But don’t despair, you can always choose based on your budget, and saving on accommodations and meals will provide you with some extra budget for entrance fees to various attractions, museums, and temples.

Additionally, there are always some free-entry experiences and locations that are recommended to explore while in Japan. I’ll tell you more about them here <-

Solo Safety and Security

As mentioned, Japan is an extremely safe country for solo travel.

The practically zero rate of petty crime and the willingness of the Japanese to help Westerners in difficulty minimizes situations of potential danger for a single traveler, even a woman. In any case, it is good to keep in mind some general rules on personal safety that never hurt:

• Prioritize personal safety by staying aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas or at night.
• Keep important documents, such as your passport and travel insurance details, secure and easily accessible.
• Share your travel itinerary and contact information with a trusted friend or family member for added peace of mind.

Having said that, I would like to reassure you as much as possible about the possibility of running into danger in Japan and wish you a peaceful and full of experiences journey.

Embracing Authentic Experiences

One of the greatest benefits of traveling alone is not having to answer to anyone about your plans. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want, and you don’t have to compromise on anything.

In a country like Japan, which is full of tradition and folklore, this is a huge advantage. I encourage you to immerse yourself in the culture and experience as much as possible.

When you’re alone, you can open yourself up to new experiences without the fear of being judged by friends or family. You can do anything!

So, I suggest you seek out authentic experiences that reflect the essence of Japan, such as tea ceremonies, traditional festivals (matsuri), or staying in a traditional ryokan.

Interact with locals, visit local markets, and explore neighborhoods to discover hidden gems and local insights. Embrace serendipity and allow yourself to get lost in the streets, uncovering the unexpected and memorable moments.

I hope you have a wonderful time solo travel in Japan!

Final Thoughts on Solo Travel in Japan

Traveling solo in Japan is a remarkable opportunity to embrace independence, discover new horizons, and create lifelong memories. By following this comprehensive ladder, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate the challenges and relish the rewards of solo travel in Japan. Embrace the spirit of adventure, immerse yourself in the rich culture, and embark on a journey of self-discovery that will leave you with a deep appreciation for this captivating country.

Put aside your fears and hesitations and open yourself up to the experience of traveling alone in Japan. It is the best country for this type of experience and you will be grateful for it for the rest of your life.

Japan is a safe and welcoming country with a rich culture and history. There is something for everyone in Japan, from the bustling cities of Tokyo and Osaka to the serene countryside of Kyoto and Nara.

When you travel alone in Japan, you have the freedom to do whatever you want, at your own pace. You can explore the country at your own leisure, without having to worry about keeping up with a group or compromising on your plans.

You will also have the opportunity to meet new people and make friends from all over the world. Traveling alone is a great way to step outside of your comfort zone and learn about new cultures.

If you are thinking about traveling to Japan, I encourage you to do it alone. It is an experience that you will never forget.

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