You know everyone wants to go to Japan when the country’s international tourist arrivals shoot up 2,155 percent year-on-year the month it opens to all travelers. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, 1.5 million foreign travelers have entered Japan since 2022, signaling the era of astoundingly expensive flights and hotels.
But if you’d rather break the bank than break your Japan-loving heart—and you’re bent on doing this solo, as I did during the holidays—then read on for tips to make your trip as seamless as possible.
Map out your entire trip. It’s tempting to be spontaneous when traveling solo, but if you want to save time and money, plot your itinerary carefully. Know where you want to go, what you want to do (are there events you want to catch?), and how you will get there. Going to Kyoto from Nagoya, for example, will cost at least 5,600 yen on the shinkansen (35 minutes) and 2,600 yen on the bus (2 hours). If you have time, take the bus because it passes through small towns and gives you a glimpse of the Japanese Alps, which are glorious in winter, even from a distance. You can be spontaneous with your daily itinerary, but for city-to-city transfers, plan ahead.
Travel light. If you’ll be constantly moving, don’t bring a large luggage. Not only is it a pain to carry, it might also be an issue in public transport. Buses could decline to accept you for boarding if you don’t meet their luggage policy (luggage allowance varies per transport company). During my trip—I took four buses and a train over two weeks—I did not notice anyone shoving a large suitcase into the buses’ luggage compartment. I brought a medium suitcase plus a roomy backpack where I could stash my documents, a book, scarf, beanie, gloves, bottled water, and an onigiri. Besides, you can always do your laundry at the hotel/hostel.
Get an e-sim. Tourists usually rent a pocket WiFi, which is practical for groups, but not for solo travelers. There’s no need for an extra gadget when your phone is compatible with an e-sim (most recent models are, but check first). I got an e-sim from Airalo, which has great deals and good coverage ($18 for 10G, 30 days). It also has a user-friendly app that shows how much data you have left, and great customer support.
Pre-register your entry online at https://vjw-lp.digital.go.jp/en/. Japan no longer requires an RT-PCR for tourists (except those coming from mainland China), but you do need to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination. I got the WHO-approved yellow card from the Bureau of Quarantine but ended up uploading the local vaccine certificate on the Visit Japan website because it shows my name and all three vaccinations on one page. It takes patience completing the forms and uploading the requirements online but I breezed through immigration and customs in Japan as the others waited in a long line.
Take a tripod. Seriously, you did not pay good money for that flight just to have nothing to show for it. I’ve never done tripod photography before, but as an introvert Gen X-er who couldn’t do a decent selfie to save my life, I knew I had to try. It may be uneasy at first, especially when people stare as you cross the road or sit “candidly” on a bench for the nth time, but the photos are worth it in the end.
Talk to people and join group activities. If you don’t want to be alone the entire time, look up walking tours, food crawls or bar/cafe hopping in your destination. You can also chat up locals—the Japanese struggle with English but they are friendly enough to engage foreign visitors.
Learn a few useful phrases in the local language. Try to go beyond konnichiwa and arigatou gozaimasu. Common phrases like sumimasen (excuse me); ___ – wa doko desu ka (where is __?); kore kudasai (this, please); and tasukete kudasai (please help me – for emergencies) are easy enough to remember. Otherwise, Google Translate is your bestfriend.
Save major shopping for the last leg of your trip. If you know you can buy it again later, do not buy pasalubong or souvenirs as soon as you land. Save your shopping haul for later, unless you’re willing to carry them around the whole trip (oh, the horror of packing, unpacking!).
Always advise someone of your whereabouts. While in transit, when you’ve arrived, where you’re headed—tell someone where you are. Chat with your family, send your friends snapshots, provide somebody with your itinerary for the entire trip, including where you will stay. Japan is one of the safest places for solo travelers but it won’t hurt to be extra cautious.
