{"id":90809,"date":"2026-02-26T02:01:55","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T15:01:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=90809"},"modified":"2026-02-27T03:19:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T16:19:16","slug":"things-to-know-solo-travel-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything I wish I knew before going to Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Having lived in Japan for over a decade, Tokyo-based travel writer Kim Kahan reveals her expert tips and advice \u2013 whether going solo or on a small-group tour.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first time I arrived in Japan<\/a>, as a woman in my early 20s, was in 2017. I was spat out into Tokyo\u2019s Narita Airport \u2013 just me, my rucksack, and I \u2013 frantically searching for a recognisable trainline among a swirl of Japanese script. Thankfully, a local passer-by showed me the way, asking my destination and pointing me towards the right ticket machine and corresponding train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve never forgotten it. As I\u2019ve moved through my 20s and clocked up a decade of living in Japan, I\u2019ve tried to pass this small act of kindness on. Be that to friends who are planning trips a year in advance, others just passing through in need of a friendly face or strangers in train stations \u2013 and yes, you reading this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, you\u2019ll find my essential tips and tricks \u2013 the most important things to know before travelling to Japan. From the best things to pack, where to go when and (of course) how to navigate the trains; I hope that it bestows you with the confidence of a shinkansen pro as you move seamlessly through Japan on your next adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Intrepid
Make travelling to Japan a breeze with these expert tips and advice<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. Plan smarter, not harder \u2013 but be flexible<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some of Japan\u2019s most exciting and\/or popular experiences require advance reservations, be that taiko drumming workshops, tickets to Ghibli Museum or TeamLab exhibitions. And no, that doesn\u2019t mean the day before. Obviously, you can take the time to do this yourself, by doing extensive research and navigating local websites. Or \u2013 *time-saver alert* \u2013 you can book a small-group tour<\/a> and let a local leader take care of all the trav-min for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, if there\u2019s a particular restaurant or cafe that you\u2019d like to visit, check its most up-to-date opening times. This may mean via social media or by giving them a call. Many restaurants in touristy areas tend to have seasonal opening hours and family-run shops may close when it\u2019s grandma\u2019s birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, rather than planning every day down to a T, it\u2019s also important to have some flexibility. You want to be able to stay out all night karaoke-ing with strangers-turned-friends, without worrying about missing your 5:45 am hike the next day. And trust me, if you\u2019re on a tour for people in their 20s and 30s<\/a>, you\u2019ll want to get a few late-night karaoke rounds in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Fushimi<\/figure><\/div>
\"A<\/figure>
\"Shopping<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Pack essentials, and leave some space<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What should I pack for Japan? That\u2019s often top of traveller\u2019s minds before they leave. But trust me \u2013 less is more, so leave room in your suitcase. I\u2019ve seen friends buy new suitcases when they run out of room to take home all the souvenirs they\u2019ve snagged. Just think of the KitKats\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s more, on most trains and in some cosy homestays and cheaper hotels, space for luggage is often limited, so there’s a practical reason for taking a compact backpack or soft-shell case to help you navigate these transport and hospitality hubs with ease. You can use a luggage-forwarding service to send your bigger items onto your next destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another essential \u2013 you\u2019ll need cash, as well as a card. Many establishments in bigger cities like Tokyo<\/a> and Kyoto<\/a> will take cards, and you may even come across some that are cashless. But also be mindful that hidden-away spots such as that backstreet soba-noodle stand or Shinto shrine prayer offering you\u2019re looking to make are generally cash-only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One more essential item: the IC travel app or card<\/a>, which you can pick up at a major train station. It covers not just trains, subways and buses, but also functions as a digital wallet, which can be used at convenience stores, handy train station luggage lockers or vending machines (hello, hot corn soup). They\u2019re essentially a one-stop-shop for travel around the major cities. If you\u2019re travelling from the airport, it helps to have this app pre-loaded onto your phone to make transport smoother. In smaller, rural towns, you may not be able to use your IC app, so \u2013 again, in those instances \u2013 make sure you bring cash for transport tickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Exploring<\/figure><\/div>
\"An<\/figure>
\"Tokyo's<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Get the pacing right<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By far the biggest question I get is \u2018how long should I spend in X place?\u2019 It\u2019s impossible to count the amount of times that friends have sent over itineraries with five days in Tokyo, five days in Osaka<\/a> and another five in Kyoto. But unless they\u2019re here for several months, know people or plan to travel outside the main cities on excursions, I almost always tell them to reduce the amount of time in Kyoto and Osaka, and explore other places in Japan<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, everyone wants to see the Golden Route hubs, but the main Kyoto and Osaka areas are pretty small, and close to one another \u2013 about 30 minutes away by train. You can see plenty of sights in each city in two or three days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re travelling to Japan for the first time, I\u2019d suggest spending three weeks in total \u2013 maybe travelling solo and doing some independently, perhaps at the end when you feel more confident, but also lining up a highlights-based group tour<\/a> or even just commitment-free day trips<\/a> so you can travel and make new friends amid the safety and security of an expert-led pack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Japan's<\/figure><\/div>
\"Deer<\/figure>
\"Japan's<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Enjoy nature throughout the year<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Regarding when to visit Japan<\/a>: during my years as a Japan-based travel writer, the most in-demand question is usually \u2018When\u2019s the best time to see cherry blossoms?\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, you can check out the Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast<\/a>, which covers the official sakura prediction for each year. Technically, it\u2019s correct, and points to the best time to run to a park to picnic under the blooms in true hanami style. But this forecast is, of course, always subject to seasonal change. I\u2019ll never forget the year they bloomed late and people were instead desperately searching: \u2018What to do when there are no cherry blossoms.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is to say, don\u2019t rely entirely on the cherry blossoms. Other aspects of Japan\u2019s natural world are just as beautiful and ephemeral: magnolias and plum blossoms in early Feb-March, wisterias mid-April-May, momiji (maple) season for gorgeous autumn leaves from October to November. Whichever you choose, you\u2019ll find beauty throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure><\/div>
\"Enjoying<\/figure>
\"Eating<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Make the most of the culture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of nature’s influence, there are a multitude of unique cultural experiences in Japan \u2013 one of which is eating specific wagashi, traditional Japanese sweets that are shaped according to seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in the country that practically invented the quirky cultural experience, the list of things you can do is endless. From experiences you\u2019ve long dreamt of to ones you could never imagine: there are traditional tea ceremonies to tap into, Shinto shrines to visit (even shrine-to-shrine pilgrimages<\/a>), sumo matches<\/a> to attend, geisha dinners and the best sushi to try \u2013 I say this even as a vegetarian<\/a>. There are robot cafes<\/a> to swing by and high-speed trains to whizz around the country on; you can meet female sake brewers<\/a> in Hagi and rub shoulders with bowing deer in Nara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are myriad generic \u2018best things to see in Japan\u2019 articles but bear in mind your own personal preferences \u2013 if you\u2019re a big history buff, you might want to visit a shrine every day, but if not, maybe one or two throughout the trip will do. For busier shrines like Kyoto\u2019s Kinkaku-ji, head there early in the morning to beat the crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure><\/div>
\"A<\/figure>
\"Exploring<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Navigate transport carefully<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even though travelling around Japan is generally safe<\/a>, it can be a tad confusing. The infrastructure is covered by several large private companies, as well as the occasional town-specific one, which takes away consistency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure you do your research \u2013 which trains to get<\/a>, where to buy bullet-train tickets, how often the buses run \u2013 before you come. Tokyo\u2019s multiple-train-company system, in particular, can be mind-boggling, though each line is at least thankfully colour-coded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is, of course, perfectly possible to do it as a solo traveller. However, if you\u2019re on a group trip, you can leave it all to the leader who\u2019ll take care of the ticketing and navigation for you, leaving you to focus on which ekiben (train bento box) you\u2019re going to snag for the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Intrepid
Do as the locals do to be a responsible traveller in Japan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Be a responsible tourist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another question that I\u2019m asked frequently is how to navigate the country\u2019s cultural customs and behave respectfully in public places in Japan. In response, I point out that merely asking the question is a great start. Just observe people around you \u2013 and be considerate. If everyone else on the subway is being quiet, and no one is eating, do that. Likewise, on the bullet train, they\u2019ll be selling lunch boxes, which is a pretty solid indicator that eating is okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re on a tour, you\u2019ll have a local guide to consult who\u2019ll be able to give you the best etiquette advice<\/a> for your situation \u2013 whether you\u2019re a female travelling solo or family group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel through Japan like a pro by booking a small-group adventure<\/a> or curated excursions<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

Essential Japan<\/a><\/div>
10 days<\/span><\/div>
View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Japan Highlights<\/a><\/div>
9 days<\/span><\/div>
View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Japan Real Food Adventure<\/a><\/div>
11 days<\/span><\/div>
View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Having lived in Japan for over a decade, Tokyo-based travel writer Kim Kahan reveals her expert tips and advice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16386,"featured_media":90812,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1313],"tags":[180,21],"class_list":["post-90809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-asia","tag-japan"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nEverything I wish I knew before going to Japan | The Good Times by Intrepid<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Visiting Japan for the first time? Tokyo-based travel writer Kim Kahan reveals her best tips and advice.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Everything I wish I knew before going to Japan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Having lived in Japan for over a decade, Tokyo-based travel writer Kim Kahan reveals her expert tips and advice.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Good Times by Intrepid\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/intrepidtravel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-25T15:01:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-26T16:19:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Toyko-034.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kim Kahan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Everything I wish I knew before going to Japan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Having lived in Japan for over a decade, Tokyo-based travel writer Kim Kahan reveals her expert tips and advice.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Toyko-034.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Intrepid_Travel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Intrepid_Travel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kim Kahan\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/\",\"name\":\"Everything I wish I knew before going to Japan | The Good Times by Intrepid\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Toyko-034.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-25T15:01:55+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-26T16:19:16+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#\/schema\/person\/7290745bc840fcfdedb850ccbca65483\"},\"description\":\"Visiting Japan for the first time? Tokyo-based travel writer Kim Kahan reveals her best tips and advice.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Toyko-034.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Toyko-034.jpg\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"Geisha crossing the road in Tokyo, Japan.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Everything I wish I knew before going to Japan\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/\",\"name\":\"The Good Times by Intrepid\",\"description\":\"adventure news\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#\/schema\/person\/7290745bc840fcfdedb850ccbca65483\",\"name\":\"Kim Kahan\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e95b0473e80af85b6849e8fd52783dbda1f34f6f968f0a7579e83be8b5ce8d41?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e95b0473e80af85b6849e8fd52783dbda1f34f6f968f0a7579e83be8b5ce8d41?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Kim Kahan\"},\"description\":\"Kim Kahan has lived in Japan for nearly a decade working as a translator and writer, covering everything from fancy ryokan to Japanese music. She pens words and takes photos for Lonely Planet, Huck Magazine and Japan Times and also works for brands including Honda and Live Japan.\",\"sameAs\":[\"http:\/\/www.kimjakahan.xyz\",\"kimkaan\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kimkahan\/\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/author\/kim-kahan\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Everything I wish I knew before going to Japan | The Good Times by Intrepid","description":"Visiting Japan for the first time? Tokyo-based travel writer Kim Kahan reveals her best tips and advice.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Everything I wish I knew before going to Japan","og_description":"Having lived in Japan for over a decade, Tokyo-based travel writer Kim Kahan reveals her expert tips and advice.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/","og_site_name":"The Good Times by Intrepid","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/intrepidtravel\/","article_published_time":"2026-02-25T15:01:55+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-02-26T16:19:16+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Toyko-034.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Kim Kahan","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"Everything I wish I knew before going to Japan","twitter_description":"Having lived in Japan for over a decade, Tokyo-based travel writer Kim Kahan reveals her expert tips and advice.","twitter_image":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Toyko-034.jpg","twitter_creator":"@Intrepid_Travel","twitter_site":"@Intrepid_Travel","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Kim Kahan","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/","url":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/","name":"Everything I wish I knew before going to Japan | The Good Times by Intrepid","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Toyko-034.jpg","datePublished":"2026-02-25T15:01:55+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-26T16:19:16+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#\/schema\/person\/7290745bc840fcfdedb850ccbca65483"},"description":"Visiting Japan for the first time? Tokyo-based travel writer Kim Kahan reveals her best tips and advice.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Toyko-034.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Toyko-034.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080,"caption":"Geisha crossing the road in Tokyo, Japan."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/things-to-know-solo-travel-japan\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Everything I wish I knew before going to Japan"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/","name":"The Good Times by Intrepid","description":"adventure news","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#\/schema\/person\/7290745bc840fcfdedb850ccbca65483","name":"Kim Kahan","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e95b0473e80af85b6849e8fd52783dbda1f34f6f968f0a7579e83be8b5ce8d41?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e95b0473e80af85b6849e8fd52783dbda1f34f6f968f0a7579e83be8b5ce8d41?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Kim Kahan"},"description":"Kim Kahan has lived in Japan for nearly a decade working as a translator and writer, covering everything from fancy ryokan to Japanese music. She pens words and takes photos for Lonely Planet, Huck Magazine and Japan Times and also works for brands including Honda and Live Japan.","sameAs":["http:\/\/www.kimjakahan.xyz","kimkaan","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kimkahan\/"],"url":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/author\/kim-kahan\/"}]}},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Intrepid-Travel-Japan-Toyko-034.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4OQMK-nCF","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90809","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16386"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=90809"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90809\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":90926,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90809\/revisions\/90926"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/90812"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=90809"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=90809"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=90809"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}