Travelling alone is something that I don’t think a lot of people want to do or plan to do, but what choice do you have if you can’t find someone to join you? Or perhaps there’s lots you want to do that you know your loved ones won’t care for. Regardless, Japan is a really safe and polite country so if there’s anywhere to travel solo, this is definitely the place!
4 years ago on this date, I returned from my solo trip to Japan. I’ve never travelled alone and haven’t been on a plane since childhood, haven’t even left North America, so it was a big leap of faith. But at the same time, I’ve been interested in Japan and it’s culture since 2006, so I already had a lot of insight and was aware of customs and mannerisms. I knew it was a safe country (outside of natural disasters), but I still spent a good 3 months planning my trip to a T. You can see more details into my planning and what I did in this article.
But regardless, even with a lot of planning and research, there were some things I wasn’t aware of until I came, and other things that I wasn’t expecting that threw off the trip. I still had an amazing time and would love to go back, but here’s 10 Vital tips that you should definitely know if you’re planning a trip. These can apply to any traveller, but more so solo travellers.
1. Learn The Basics Of The Language & Culture
Let’s get the obvious out of the way. While I do believe anyone should learn the basics when travelling to a country that doesn’t speak there’s, this is even more important when travelling alone. You won’t have someone to walk around with and figure things out with.
While Japanese people are very willing to help, they are quite shy and they won’t have much confidence speaking English to a stranger. Even just by saying “Sumimasen” to call them can help get their attention. While I knew a lot of Japanese from studying 3 years, the bare basics was all I needed to get around and shop.
Japan is also a place full of customs and mannerisms, and many will be different from your home. Things like bowing can be very weird if you’re not used to it. I definitely recommend checking out my article on Japan Culture Shocks. It is written from an anime perspective, but most of them are based on Japan’s culture.
You’ll definitely want to be aware of laws as well as something that may be normal and accepted in your country can get you arrested in Japan. Even things like smoking have strict rules. You can’t just light up outside of a building, you will need to look for a dedicated smoking area. Some buildings and restaurants will also have indoor smoking areas, so if you’re a non-smoker who can’t stand the smell, it’s good to be aware of that.
Other things to be aware of: Don’t talk or eat on trains, walk on the left side of the street/stairs, expect to take off your shoes in traditional places and onsens, offer and collect gifts and cash with both hands, DO NOT TIP AT RESTAURANTS! Try not to offend anyone, and definitely don’t do anything stupid or risky. Their legal system is very strict and their authorities will always favour and believe Japanese citizens over foreigners.
2. Have Lots of Cash On You
Japan is a cash based society. I can’t say much about now after the pandemic, but in general, many stores, big and small, still prefer to use cash. Of course for bigger purchases at retail stores or hotels, you shouldn’t worry about them not taking your card, but you’ll definitely want to be prepared with lots of cash regardless
Order some from your bank or a cash exchange place a few weeks early, as Yen isn’t something most have on hand. Keep in mind that they don’t separate cents in their currency, so 100 Yen is the equivalent of $1.00, and 1000 Yen is $10.00. If you don’t have enough, you can always stop by one of their many 7/11s to withdraw more cash. Of course, call and alert your bank that you will be away so they don’t flag and block your account, leaving you cashless for a few days.
3. Research Transit Routes Ahead of Time
If you’re comfortable with public transit, you need to still research their subway routes. If you’re not used to public transit, you DEFINITELY need to research subway routes. The best way to travel around Japan is with their extensive train systems. Yes, systemS. Learn all about their systems and lines here.
They have many subway systems and the majority are privately owned, which means you may need to look at different maps and ensure you’re transferring at the right stations. If you don’t take the time to research beforehand, you’re going to waste time, money, and potentially get lost, wasting even more time.
Thankfully, most (if not all) of them use the same card (Suica or Pasmo) for payment, but be sure to do your research. Once you get a Suica or Pasmo card, note that you can use these like a debit card for vending machines or convinient stores.
While many stations will have English signs and separate platforms for trains, not all of them do. I had a pretty easy time navigating around until I got to the Rinkai line that had no English signs and only 1 platform for their 3 or 4 trains. Google used blue as the colour for the train I needed to go on, and so far, the colours matched the actual train. Good thing I asked the lady in front of me and she told me the green was what I needed.
4. Reserve A Wifi Passport
If you’re a solo traveller, chances are, you’re going to want to keep in touch with your friends or family back home. An obvious choice would be a temporary SIM card, but this is soooo much better. My friend who went to South Korea a year before my trip told me about this, and thank goodness as I wouldn’t have known about them otherwise.
A Wifi Passport is a Wifi router that is small enough to fit in your pocket or purse and it will give you (mostly) unlimited Internet access anywhere in Tokyo or Japan. Unlike a SIM card that can only work on your phone, you can hook up your tablet or laptops to this as well and use them simultaneously. These even work on many subways!
The prices are actually pretty good! Ninja Wifi, for example, charges about $10/day for unlimited Wifi. A lot of places will charge less per day the longer you have it. Regardless, that’s a pretty sweet price! You can usually pick them up and drop them off at the airport, making them super convenient to get yourself connected within minutes of landing. I’d recommend printing out your reservations and confirmation codes to save time and the possible language barrier.
5. ALWAYS Carry Your Passport
When you travel to other places, you’ll probably want to lock up your passport in your hotel locker and ensure its safe. In Japna, it’s the opposite. You need to have your passport on you at all times for various reasons.
For one, if you are every spoken to by the police, you can be detained if you don’t have your passport with you. It is your proof that you are not only allowed in the country but also mentions how long you’re allowed to be there. You won’t have anyone to rely on to back you up if you forget it, so don’t!
Secondly, you’ll get a lot of tax breaks and discounts if you’re a recognized traveller and visitor to the country. Many will automatically ask to see your passport since you probably don’t look Japanese. Don’t take this offensively! You’ll end up saving a lot on your trip in the end, especially if you plan to shop a lot or visit tourist spots and amusement parks. It will hurt having receipts stapled to your passport but it’s part of the deal. ^^” For more info on how it works, check out this page.
6. Stick To Minimal Hotels/AirBnBs
When deciding where to stay, I would highly recommend picking one place per city or two max a week. I thought I was being smart and saving timeby switching to a new hotel for each area in Tokyo I wanted to stay at (Shibuya, Akihabara, Odaiba), but in the end, I had to drag all my stuff everyday.
I started with a duffle bag but bought too much early on and I required a suitcase and a pack back. It was hard to guage time and distance, but honestly, the trip back wouldn’t have been that long. It doesn’t help that one hotel will kick you out early, but the capsule hotels won’t let you in til later (usually around 2PM) so I was stuck dragging my stuff around. If you’re travelling alone, save yourself the trouble. Enjoy your trip more by staying put.
7. Keep an Eye on Opening and Closing Times
Unlike in Toronto where you can expect most establishments to be open at 8/9am, that’s no guideline for Japan. Each shop and mall will open when they want to open and close when they want to close. Some restaurants may open up later and close for a few hours to prepare for dinner. Many places will be closed on a random day during the week. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment.
When I went to Nakano Broadway for example, I checked out of my hotel when I had to and got there around 10am. I didn’t think I would get there that early, so I checked out the shops on the outside until they opened up at 10:30am. Then once I got in and headed towards the anime shops, they weren’t set to open until 12 😐 This goes for other places too. You may think amusement parks would be open until late, but they may close at 8 or 9pm.
So if you’re planning to do a lot in a single day, look at the opening and closing times for each place and plan accordingly. And of course, if you’re a nightowl and want to check out bars and clubs, be aware that the last train tends to leave between 12-1AM. If you don’t catch it, you either gotta sleep on the street or pay money for a taxi.
Well, they got capsule hotels too, but they may be booked up if you get to them too late. Capsule hotels are usually gender specific too, so if you’re a female, you’ll probably have to travel farther to find one. I was pretty sure the one I was planning to stay at had a female-only floor, but I was told it’s men-only at the door. I had to walk all the way to the other side of the station to get to the female-only Akihabara Bay Hotel. It didn’t have all the fancy stuff like you’re own bed TV in it though 🙁
8. Make Use Of Public Lockers
When you’re travelling alone, you don’t have someone to watch your bags or belongings for you while you shop or go on rides and so on. Thankfully, Japan has a thing for local lockers and you can find them around most hotels, subway stations, and tourist spots. When I went in 2018, I only came across coin-based lockers, but newer videos display upgraded electronic lockers.
Places like onsens and amusement parks will also have a place for you to lock up your items and the key usually comes with a bracelet so you can keep it on you. Depending on the establishment, you may also get a separate locker for your shoes. Be sure to keep some loose change for this and ensure you have all you need. Once you open it, you’ll have to pay again to relock it.
9. Dress Comfortably and Modestly
How you dress is so important for various reasons. As mentioned above, you’re going to do a lot of walking, so you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes. If you’re going during the warmer months, Japan is known for being quite humid so you’ll want to dress light, but Japan is also a very modest country, so avoid showing cleavage or shoulders. The video below is a short summary, but check out this one for more details and tips.
It’s okay to wear shorts or skirts though, as thighs is seen as something both genders have and thus no reason for it to be as sexualized. If you have tattoos, it is still stigmatized in Japan. While people generally won’t say much to you, they may look and stare. Some places like onsens won’t allow tattoos either, so be aware of that. You can get stickers to cover them up if anything.
10. Be Aware Of Japan’s Dark Side
While I’m not a night-life person, I’m sure many of you are. You may be interested in checking out bars and host clubs and so on. While Japan is safe, that doesn’t mean they don’t have any kinds of scams or crime rings going on. They do have the Yakuza, which is their form of gangsters, but they have much more power and influence. I guess they’re more similar to the Mafia.
Their most ‘dangerous’ red-light distracts include Shibuya, Rappongi, and especially Kabuchiko which is in Shinjuku. Some common scams include being tricked and ripped-off for drinks in bars, or being pressured to donate to non-existent foundations. They may pray on you because you are a foreigner and will fall for their innocent charm.
Bonus: Enjoy All Japan Has To Offer As A Solo Traveller
Some people may feel nervous doing certain activities alone, but listen to me. You’re in a foreign country with people who mind their business and you’ll never see them again anyways.
Japan is also a place with many lonely or shy people, along with a busy working class, so many establishments are used to individual visitors. Some have even made it super friendly for solo people to order food without interacting with anyone, or setting you up with a big plushy for company. If you visit an amusement park alone, you’ll also get to skip a lot of lines thanks to other solo people or odd number groups leaving spots around.
And for onsens, I think it would be more awkward going with friends or family if you’ve never seen each other naked before. You do have to strip fully in the changerooms, no bath towels to cover you until you get to the bathing area. All in all, don’t feel awkward to visit places that are ‘traditionally’ group places.
Additional Tips For All Travellers
Follow The Rules & Customs: I said it above and I’ll say it again. Don’t feel entitled or demand equal rights. If a business says “no-foreigners”, they have that right. This is their country. Many of them had bad experiences with foreigners, especially drunk or creepy foreigners, and other’s don’t feel confident speaking English so they’d rather avoid awkward interactions. Everywhere else is pretty accepting and welcoming of foreigners though!
Dine In To Eat If You Can: I didn’t care much to dine in or spend much on food, so I’d grab convinient food and bread to eat on the go, but then I realized, public seating is pretty much non-existent. Even in malls, you may not find benches to sit and rest your legs. So I’d suggest to dine in if you can.
Let Hotels Hold Your Key: While some hotels have upgraded to cards, I stayed at one that still had a traditional key. I went out with it, which was no issue at all, but I later read their notes that suggested you leave your key at the front desk. Something to consider if you’re scared of losing them.
Beware of Squat Toilets: Japan is quite advanced and you’re going to love their bidets, but they can also be old fashioned in other aspects. In a lot of places, squat toilets are still a thing. Instead of a seat, the toilet is literally a party of the floor and you’re expected to squat to use it. Classy~
Look Up Bathing Etiquette: Yes, Japan does share bathing water, but this is possible because everyone takes a shower and scrubs themselves well before getting into the tub to soak. Don’t dirty the water. Here’s a video with what to expect.
Have A Garbage Bag On You: Garbage cans are scarce in public, so you may have to drag your empty bottle or candy wrapper around for a while. Save yourself the hassle by having a garbage bag on you, and probably some wipes as well.
Clean Up After Yourself: The reason why Japan is so clean is because everyone takes responsibility. Even in school, kids clean up their classrooms. At food courts, there are towels and sprays to clean your table. Don’t leave a mess behind and don’t litter.
Wear Your Mask! Even before the pandemic, Japanese people were considerate of other’s by wearing their mask if they were sick to protect others. Now, people are still wearing them. They have an aging population so please be considerate.
Ask Questions If Lost: Please don’t hesitate to speak to someone if you’re not sure where you are or can’t find the entrance to an activity. Some hidden gems may be on the 2nd floor of a random building without any signs. The people are super helpful and will usually walk you to your destination.
Don’t Neglect 7/11: Honestly, if there’s anything you need, food, cash, sunscreen, hand warmers, umbrellas, you can find it here. Need an ATM or need to top off your transit card, you can do it here. If you don’t feel like dining in, stop here for a fresh warm meal. Most are open 24/7 as well!
And For Black Travellers…
There’s often been discussion about whether Japan is racist or not, but listen to me. Japan is 97%+ Japanese people and most foreigners are white or light skinned….you’re going to stick out like a sore thumb, like an exotic artifact. Some can’t help but stare, but know that the majority don’t have ill-will towards you. Many Japanese people came out for the Black Lives Matter marches held in Japan, and it’s not like police brutality is an issue in their country.
Some locals may be curious about you and ask ignorant or stereotypical questions. They may think you’re Beyonce or Barack Obama because black people will look the same to them, but that’s normal for anyone who hasn’t been around other minorities much. The media may be their only exposure to black people, so of course they have an image in their head and many unanswered questions about our skin and hair types.
You’re the first and/or only person they can ask, so they may be quite bold and unable to hold back their curiousity. They may want to touch your skin or your hair, curious if it feels different. I mean, common, if you don’t have dreads, I’m sure you’ve wondered how it’s twisted and how it feels. On a positive note, many are really into black culture (music, fashion, dance) and just want to know more from you. Majority of them are just curious so try not to be too offended. Represent us well and crush the stereotypes.
Of course, there may be some older folk who are actually racist, but they are more likely racist towards all foreigners and wished Japan would close their borders. I understand them though. If people came into your country and would steal or litter or get into fights with locals, totally ignoring customs and norms, I’m sure you’d be mad too. However, it’s rare any of them would say or do anything to you. You really do not have to worry about your safety. You won’t have to fear for your life like those in the States do.
You’ll have a great time here if you keep all this in mind. What may have been a microaggression back home is simply a Japanese person being amazed at seeing a dark person and being unsure of how to approach you. Put yourself in their shoes and how it may feel to see someone completely different from you.
I really love this clip from Attack on Titan (amazing anime, I’d recommend it to anyone). The main cast live away from all of humanity, and were now introduced to new people, one of which was black. The whole crew has already befriended the man and was working with him. One day, a quirky and curious local just had to ask him why he is dark skinned. She didn’t mean harm by it, she was just trying to make sense of things.
Maybe Japanese kids are the same and I watched Youtubers share stories of people asking why their skin looks like poop. Sounds offensive, but Japan has poop cafes, so….it’s just the first brown thing that came to mind.
Conclusion
I hope this list gives you a bit more confidence on what to do and what to expect if you’re planning a solo trip. There are so many resources, and I definitely recommend checking out Youtube channels like Paolo and ** to get more insight on the country and what to expect. I also made an article with 21 activities if you’re looking for a more fun and exciting trip.
I personally had a blast going alone. I could go where I want when I want. As a picky eater with a smaller stomach, I loved that I could spend more time shopping and doing unique activities instead of dining in for 4 hours a day with foodie friends.
I’m sure I would go again with them to see other areas and expore the natural beauty more, but this was my first trip in a decade and first solo trip. It mostly went according to plan and I got back safely, so I’m sure with these tips and resources, you’ll have a great trip too 🙂
Japan is a super lovely country with very helpful and polite people. It’s one of the safest countries in the world, super clean with high food standards, just keep an eye on earthquakes and natural disasters ^^”