Unlocking Japan as a solo traveller just got easier with this expert guide to what to do and where to go. Even if you go alone, you don’t have to miss out, says Meghan Morrison.
From a distance, travelling in Japan as a solo traveller can seem overwhelming, with language barriers, cultural nuances and transport to navigate. But rest assured, it’s totally doable – whether you travel completely independently or join a small-group trip as a solo traveller for companionship and camaraderie.
Those hidden, insider things that only locals know? They aren’t off limits for those going it alone. You just have to know where to look. Eating your way through Osaka, visiting locals on their tea farm in Kawane and learning from monks at a temple stay in Koya-san are all feasible and rewarding.
So, if you’re ready to soak in hot springs in Yudanaka, but don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get you ready for your next solo adventure.
Of course, you can see Japan’s highlights
For travellers who want to see Japan’s top sights, the Golden Route is for you. With futuristic bullet trains, you can whiz between the classic trio of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka in a breeze and get to know the modern, traditional and culinary sites of Japan, all in one trip. Get lost in Tokyo’s blaze of big-city neon and explore its historic Asakusa district. Then head to Kyoto to check out its 2000 temples, shrines and gardens. Finally, continue to Osaka – Japan’s unofficial culinary capital (perhaps on a dedicated food tour) – to sample the country’s street-food specialties.
But you can also go offbeat
Hokkaido – Japan’s northernmost island – is famed for it’s off-piste powder skiing, but often gets missed during other seasons when travellers focus on the big cities and stick to the main island of Honshu. But Hokkaido shouldn’t be overlooked, especially if you’re looking for natural scenery over neon lights and dramatic landscapes in the form of volcanic hot springs and lakes begging to be canoed across.
You can also head south to check out the contemporary art-island of Naoshima and be surprised by Nagasaki’s sobering history and modern mix of champon noodles, must-visit jazz bars such as Milestone and Dutch- and Portuguese-influenced portside centre, that (unlike Hiroshima) was spared by the WWII atomic bomb.
And you can dine out alone – in style
Dining out in Japan feels like it was designed for the solo traveller, making it one of the best activities to do on your own. Restaurants in Japan are small, cosy and welcoming – and counterside dining is the norm, allowing you to sit up close and personal with expert chefs as they ply their trade in the heart of the action (rather than on a relegated table near the toilet).
Read more: Where to go in Japan based on your travel vibe
Group activities aren’t off-limits
Of course, there’s late-night karaoke to keep you entertained, geisha meets, sumo tournaments, tea ceremonies and more in Japan. All of which sound like group activities, because they are. But you can still access them as a solo traveller if you join a small-group trip, uniting with other independent, like-minded adventurers just like you for shared moments when you need them, and the freedom to explore solo when you want.
Don’t miss the chance to try onsens either
When travel fatigue kicks in, onsens are Japan’s answer to wellness. These traditional bathhouses are deeply ingrained in Japanese daily life and culture. Formed of natural hot springs, one of the best places to try out the custom is in the southern town of Beppu, where you can spend a night in volcanic Mt Aso, staying in a minshuku (traditional Japanese inn) right in the middle of a caldera. When travelling with Intrepid as a solo traveller, you can also follow up bath time with lunch cooked the local way (steamed in the mineral-rich, hot-spring water), which is said to enhance the food’s natural flavours.
Or ride the bullet trains – like really fast
Japan is home to a fast, efficient and safe transport network, spearheaded by the oh-so-famous shinkansen (bullet train). Yes, the network can seem a little daunting at first for solo travellers. But as long as you’re mindful of on-board etiquette (phone on silent, indoor voices only and don’t take up too much space) they’re actually a must-try for all travellers. Our tip? Grab an ekiben (bento box) at the train station – a high-quality meal box with regional specialties – always made just for one, not for sharing (praise be).
Read more: Why you don’t want to miss train travel in Japan
There’s an abundance of woman-only spaces
Happily, Japan is a destination where women can feel comfortable travelling alone, since women-only spaces are common. Major commuter lines like Keihan and Hankyu in Tokyo and Osaka have dedicated women-only train cars, and hotels, hostels and ryokans often have women-only floors or separate buildings. If you need that extra cushion of comfort, you can opt to travel in the safety of a group tour or as part of a day trip. Trips like Intrepid’s Japan: Land of the Rising Sun even give you the opportunity to focus on female-led perspectives in Japan by meeting one of the country’s few female sake brewers.
You can meet the monks on a temple stay
Whether you’re looking for a simple and convenient place to stay, or a culturally rich experience, a temple stay (or shukubo), such as those offered in in Koya-san, are the perfect way to swerve the chain-hotel script. This authentic, locally rooted experience, involves heading to the 1,200-year-strong centre of Japan’s Shingon Buddhism tradition, to spend a night amid Wakayama prefecture’s clean mountain air. Here, you’ll sample a traditional shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian) meal and join morning prayers.
And experience a capsule hotel
The best budget-friendly accommodation in Japan happens to be the one best suited for solo travellers: capsule hotels. Made famous by Japan, capsule (pod) hotels are usually found in major cities near train stations and transport hubs, and have shared facilities with private ‘pod’ beds built around a single size futon mattress. They’re affordable – and fun – and you can experience them (with shared sniggers through the walls) on the Essential Japan trip with Intrepid, as your new 6’2 travel buddy tries to artfully origami himself into the space.
Definitely try homestays as a local gateway
Homestays are also a cost-effective way to stay, allowing you to feel deeply connected to local culture (especially comforting when travelling solo). This is one of the best ways to experience the real Japan, by being in someone’s home doing what they do normally and getting to learn about their daily life. It’s also a guaranteed way to get off the tourist trail with homestays in places like Hagi, Usuki and Gotemba. In the quiet mountain town of Kawane, for example, you can connect with locals on a local tea farm to learn how tea is brewed first-hand from the farmers and spend time swapping stories about daily life. You’ll wrap up the day with a night in a local home for the ultimate authentic experience.
And splash out on a ryokan
Ryokans are traditional Japanese inns known for their distinct design features: think tatami-mat floors, sliding shoji paper screens and (sometimes) private onsen baths. Their serene, minimalist atmosphere, kaiseki (multi-course) meals, meticulous service and often, beautiful gardens, make them a big draw for travellers with more budget to spend. On Intrepid’s Premium Japan trip, you can stay in a ryokan in the mountain town of Hakone, where each room has its own private onsen, plus public and outdoor hot springs that look out over the surrounding scenery. Not a bad way to round off your trip…
Launch your next solo adventure by joining the comfort of a small-group trip in Japan.
