First Japan trip - solo trip - advice sought
Discussion
I'm turning 50 on Sunday, and thought I'd visit Japan to celebrate. I've had a long fascination with Japanese food and culture, but I've never actually been. I'm not married or in a relationship and have no children, so it's unfortunately going to be a solo trip.
I've read on some websites to avoid peak summer season as it's hot and humid, and to avoid the peak winter season when it's very cold. I'm also not particularly keep on solo holidays - I can only bear them if it's a road trip where I can take myself off into the mountains and lose myself in the drive and the food. And I've just come back from a three-week road trip around France. So ideally, I'd like to do some sort of group solo group trip with a focus on food and culture and less on hiking and long walking days.
Can anyone recommend the best way to go about this? Of course I want to visit Tokyo, but I'd also like to see some other cities if they can reasonably fit into this time frame and perhaps somewhere that I can visit more olde-worlde Japan. I absolutely love guided or factory tour, whether it be food, drink, perfume, cars, motorcycles, power stations, caves etc etc.
There are certain aspects of Japanese culture that I don't think I will particularly enjoy, such as all that cutesy anime/mange stuff spilling over into real life, the crazy TV (not that I watch TV). Also I'm a fatty so won't want to visit any Onsen or anything like that - I am VERY self conscious and won't go to the beach or swimming pool because of it. I also don't particularly care about seeing the cherry blossoms.
I can spend a maximum of three weeks if go this year (likely late October/November), or I can carry over a week and go for a month in March/April/May next year. But I think three weeks is more than enough for a first trip. Any recommendations of any of those companies or organisations that arrange trips for solo travellers?
Thanks!
I've read on some websites to avoid peak summer season as it's hot and humid, and to avoid the peak winter season when it's very cold. I'm also not particularly keep on solo holidays - I can only bear them if it's a road trip where I can take myself off into the mountains and lose myself in the drive and the food. And I've just come back from a three-week road trip around France. So ideally, I'd like to do some sort of group solo group trip with a focus on food and culture and less on hiking and long walking days.
Can anyone recommend the best way to go about this? Of course I want to visit Tokyo, but I'd also like to see some other cities if they can reasonably fit into this time frame and perhaps somewhere that I can visit more olde-worlde Japan. I absolutely love guided or factory tour, whether it be food, drink, perfume, cars, motorcycles, power stations, caves etc etc.
There are certain aspects of Japanese culture that I don't think I will particularly enjoy, such as all that cutesy anime/mange stuff spilling over into real life, the crazy TV (not that I watch TV). Also I'm a fatty so won't want to visit any Onsen or anything like that - I am VERY self conscious and won't go to the beach or swimming pool because of it. I also don't particularly care about seeing the cherry blossoms.
I can spend a maximum of three weeks if go this year (likely late October/November), or I can carry over a week and go for a month in March/April/May next year. But I think three weeks is more than enough for a first trip. Any recommendations of any of those companies or organisations that arrange trips for solo travellers?
Thanks!
How about a small group tour? We went in January this year on a small group tour with https://www.insidejapantours.com/japan-small-group...
It was a fabulous trip, we had a great group that included some single travellers. The guide was excellent and the arrangements were spot on. You don't have to particpate in things you don't like. We used Onsens in hotels but they aren't compulsory and many of them are completely private so can be experienced alone.
It was a fabulous trip, we had a great group that included some single travellers. The guide was excellent and the arrangements were spot on. You don't have to particpate in things you don't like. We used Onsens in hotels but they aren't compulsory and many of them are completely private so can be experienced alone.
Edited by ffc on Thursday 19th September 18:22
We did 17 days in Japan back in May and the following may be of use to help you plan:
General Tips
● Usually, the 1st week in May is ‘Golden Week’, which is national Japanese public holidays and the popular places will be very busy
● We did not both taking a load of cash with us. A lot of smaller places in Japan will only accept cash, but the major stores/restaurants are fine with cards. When needed, we withdraw cash from an ATM, however, all major banks will not accept Visa/Mastercard to withdraw cash. Use a cashpoint at a local 7/11 store for this
● If you travel on the Shinkansen, then you may need to book a seat with a luggage storage slot, depending on the size of your suitcase.
● Use Get Your Guide to book events like Tea Cermonies, day trips, food/drink tours, etc.
Osaka – 2 to 3 full days
· Umeda Sky Building
· Osaka Castle
· Dotonbori
· Shinshibashi Shopping Area
· Parks & Gardens along the river north of Osaka Castle
Kyoto – 4 to 5 full days
· Fushimi Inari Taisha (Torii Gate Walkaway up Mt Taisha)
· Kiyomizu Dera
· Komyoin Temple
· Tofukuji Temple
· Tea Ceremony
· Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
· Gion District
· Day trip to Nara
Tokyo
· Asakusa Neighbourhood
· Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
· Ueno Park & Zoo
· Yoyogi Park (visit this on a Sunday to see street performers)
· Shinjuku Neighbourhood
· Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Lightshow
· Shibua Scramble Vantage Point
· Tokyo Skytree
· Day trip to Mt Fuji
· Hamarikyu Gardens
· Sushi at Tsukiji Fish Market
· Teamlab Planets Interactive Show
Needless to say we had a very full-on trip and absolutely loved every minute. We’d go back again in a heartbeat and explore more of the countryside.
General Tips
● Usually, the 1st week in May is ‘Golden Week’, which is national Japanese public holidays and the popular places will be very busy
● We did not both taking a load of cash with us. A lot of smaller places in Japan will only accept cash, but the major stores/restaurants are fine with cards. When needed, we withdraw cash from an ATM, however, all major banks will not accept Visa/Mastercard to withdraw cash. Use a cashpoint at a local 7/11 store for this
● If you travel on the Shinkansen, then you may need to book a seat with a luggage storage slot, depending on the size of your suitcase.
● Use Get Your Guide to book events like Tea Cermonies, day trips, food/drink tours, etc.
Osaka – 2 to 3 full days
· Umeda Sky Building
· Osaka Castle
· Dotonbori
· Shinshibashi Shopping Area
· Parks & Gardens along the river north of Osaka Castle
Kyoto – 4 to 5 full days
· Fushimi Inari Taisha (Torii Gate Walkaway up Mt Taisha)
· Kiyomizu Dera
· Komyoin Temple
· Tofukuji Temple
· Tea Ceremony
· Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
· Gion District
· Day trip to Nara
Tokyo
· Asakusa Neighbourhood
· Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
· Ueno Park & Zoo
· Yoyogi Park (visit this on a Sunday to see street performers)
· Shinjuku Neighbourhood
· Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Lightshow
· Shibua Scramble Vantage Point
· Tokyo Skytree
· Day trip to Mt Fuji
· Hamarikyu Gardens
· Sushi at Tsukiji Fish Market
· Teamlab Planets Interactive Show
Needless to say we had a very full-on trip and absolutely loved every minute. We’d go back again in a heartbeat and explore more of the countryside.
I did a solo trip to California and Nevada last year. It was one of the best things I ever did, due to a combination of the things I did and (first half at least) the people I met. Family holidays just can't compare...so please don't feel you're missing out by not having someone else's preferences to consider.
Japan has two key tourist seasons for us gaijin - April for the sakura (cherry blossom - VERY picturesque, and a big deal for the Japanese), and October for the start of their autumn - coloured leaves similar to New England. Summer, as above, is too hot/humid.
It'll be busier and slightly pricier, but you've a better bet with weather in April. And with 7 months to go a better bet with getting affordable flights.
A few suggestions from me:-
- Google if any 'matsuri' are happening in your chosen window - local traditional festivals.
- If onsen are out of the equation, still see if you can stay in a traditional ryoken guest-house - shoji screens, tatami mats, slippers and gowns. Great experience.
- 3+ weeks is plenty of time to see a lot of the country, and outside of Tokyo the whole anime / cosplay thing probably isn't going to be that obvious.
- Research a driving holiday before you book car hire etc. - when we were there road signs were in kanji, not in Roman script. I'm sure that with smart-phone and Google maps now you'll be absolutely fine, but you WILL be reliant on that not failing you.
- As an alternative, at least for part of the time (particularly the SE coast Tokyo down to Hiroshima), you'll be just as well off with a JR (Japan Rail) Pass, which you need to buy before you arrive - 1 / 2 week passes which give you unlimited travel on everything except the very fastest shinkansen. And their trains are worth using.
- Research odd / fun / very 'Japanese' experiences and book some stuff before you go - I'm told there's a real-life MarioKart experience in road-legal karts on the roads around Tokyo, for example.
...and I guess the biggie is see if you can find / contract a local 'guide' in a couple of the places you visit. Transient company and a very informed way of sightseeing. We did this when we visited the Khmer temples in Cambodia, and he was worth 5x what we paid him.
Japan has two key tourist seasons for us gaijin - April for the sakura (cherry blossom - VERY picturesque, and a big deal for the Japanese), and October for the start of their autumn - coloured leaves similar to New England. Summer, as above, is too hot/humid.
It'll be busier and slightly pricier, but you've a better bet with weather in April. And with 7 months to go a better bet with getting affordable flights.
A few suggestions from me:-
- Google if any 'matsuri' are happening in your chosen window - local traditional festivals.
- If onsen are out of the equation, still see if you can stay in a traditional ryoken guest-house - shoji screens, tatami mats, slippers and gowns. Great experience.
- 3+ weeks is plenty of time to see a lot of the country, and outside of Tokyo the whole anime / cosplay thing probably isn't going to be that obvious.
- Research a driving holiday before you book car hire etc. - when we were there road signs were in kanji, not in Roman script. I'm sure that with smart-phone and Google maps now you'll be absolutely fine, but you WILL be reliant on that not failing you.
- As an alternative, at least for part of the time (particularly the SE coast Tokyo down to Hiroshima), you'll be just as well off with a JR (Japan Rail) Pass, which you need to buy before you arrive - 1 / 2 week passes which give you unlimited travel on everything except the very fastest shinkansen. And their trains are worth using.
- Research odd / fun / very 'Japanese' experiences and book some stuff before you go - I'm told there's a real-life MarioKart experience in road-legal karts on the roads around Tokyo, for example.
...and I guess the biggie is see if you can find / contract a local 'guide' in a couple of the places you visit. Transient company and a very informed way of sightseeing. We did this when we visited the Khmer temples in Cambodia, and he was worth 5x what we paid him.
miniman said:
LunarOne said:
so it's unfortunately going to be a solo trip.
I can’t add any useful recommendations but don’t look at a solo trip as unfortunate. Solitude is underrated. LunarOne said:
I live alone and work from home so the only time I get to see people is when I'm spending a week in the office which is one week in eight to ten. Solitude is hell, especially when you don't enjoy it.
Sorry to hear this! Solitude really can be amazing, I'm in similar circumstances to yourself and have now fully embraced solitude. Only occasionally interaction with people. Cotty said:
LunarOne said:
Also I'm a fatty
From the videos that I have seen from people that live there, the locals have no filter when it comes to talking about someone's weight even if they don't know you. Just be aware.gotoPzero said:
Maybe its time for a PH Group trip to Japan? 
Best idea ever posted on PH! There's got to be plenty of car stuff to see too. I'm not into Japanese/JDM/Kei cars particularly, but if there were a Honda car or bike factory tour for example I would LOVE to do that.One of the things that impresses me most about the Japanese is their apparent willingness to be single-minded in the pursuit of perfection. That leads to amazing engineering...
LunarOne said:
Solitude is hell, especially when you don't enjoy it.
That I get....but also don't think family life is a bed of roses - for many it's anything but, and all the "aren't our lives amazing" social media posts are often just the successful tip of the car-crash iceberg. You can choose your friends, as the saying goes...
I wonder if being part of an organised group tour of Japan (even if just for 1 week of your trip) may be a good thing though - company of (potentially like-minded) strangers who you can make your polite excuses from without it being a faux pas.
Sounds like one of the guided tours suggested above would meet your needs.
It's 20 years since I was in Japan but one of my best trips. For what it's worth:
- Really recommend to visit Hiroshima. There's a park in the centre with a house under where the bomb dropped and a museum. Was really impacted by the experience
- Stay in a traditional Japanese guest house, at least one night. We stayed in one near the foot of Fuji
- The Japanese trains work really well. We didn't try but gather driving is a hassle
- Japanese isn't tonal like Chinese. Grab a lonely planet phrase book, I'm not great at languages but was surprised how much a few sentences, numbers, greeting, etc really opened up the country
Enjoy your trip!!
It's 20 years since I was in Japan but one of my best trips. For what it's worth:
- Really recommend to visit Hiroshima. There's a park in the centre with a house under where the bomb dropped and a museum. Was really impacted by the experience
- Stay in a traditional Japanese guest house, at least one night. We stayed in one near the foot of Fuji
- The Japanese trains work really well. We didn't try but gather driving is a hassle
- Japanese isn't tonal like Chinese. Grab a lonely planet phrase book, I'm not great at languages but was surprised how much a few sentences, numbers, greeting, etc really opened up the country
Enjoy your trip!!
Don’t underestimate the language thing, especially outside of Tokyo. I had visited Tokyo and Nara on business a few times, learnt some Japanese, but really wanted to explore the country and its culture. So we did private lessons with a Japanese tutor here for a few years before going on an extensive holiday, and enjoyed it so much more being able to talk to people, read signs and menus, etc
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