25 Tips For A Perfect Solo Trip To Japan

Japan, known as the Land of the Rising Sun, is a friendly and beautiful country that’s really worth visiting. It’ll be nice to plan a trip to Japan with your family or friends, but exploring this welcoming country on your own is also interesting. If this is the first time of you to be a solo traveller, you’d better check out this blog right now for useful tips on traveling to Japan alone.

25 Tips For Your Best Experience In Solo Traveling To Japan Alone

1. Prepare For The Culture Shock

When travelling to Japan or any country in the world, you should prepare yourself for the culture shock. Japan has a distinct culture that can easily makes you overwhelmed, so bear in mind that when in Japan, do as the Japanese do. As long as you observe and respect major taboos, you won’t be harshly judged for being weird or not behaving like locals. To have the best trip when you travel to Japan alone, it is highly recommended that you familiarize yourself with common aspects of Japanese culture to avoid as much culture shock-related discomfort as possible.

2. Take Note Of Important Japanese Taboos

Japan prides itself on being an orderly and socially conscious country. Therefore, it is really important to follow the golden rules of Japanese public conduct. In Japan, you should avoid distasteful behavior that annoys others and respect Japanese social practices. Besides, you should also avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself no matter what the Japanese do. This is especially essential to keep in mind when you go to Japan alone.

3. Learn Some Japanese Words And Terms Beforehand

Although English is taught in many public and private schools in Japan, not a large number of Japanese people can fully master it. Therefore, try to speak slowly and clearly if you need to talk with a Japanese person in English.

The pronunciation system of Japanese language is different from that of English, so a word like “ticket” becomes “chiketo”. Other terms like “department stores” and “toilet” become “departo” and “toire” respectively. Therefore, you can make the conversations easier by learning some common Japanese words and travel phrases before going to Japan. Otherwise, every conversation may fail and it requires you a lot of patience. This can bring stress and travelling can become a struggle. In short, knowing several Japanese words may help you a lot during your solo trip to Japan.

          SEE MORE:

• Driving In Japan
• Transportation In Japan

4. Check Seasonal Forecasts Before Deciding Where To Go

The Sakura and the Autumn Leaves Forecasts are the two most important forecasts that you need to check for your trip to Japan. Beside showing seasonal colors in Japan, those forecasts also let you know peak periods for travelling clearly. Therefore, checking the forecasts before you plan your journey will help you avoid Japan’s high seasons.

In addition, Japanese domestic travel throughout Golden Week and the Obon festival is really intense. Thus, avoiding travelling on those days is the best. Lastly, during the final days of school breaks, it’s highly recommended to avoid main tourist attractions if you cannot stand up with long queuing.

5. Have Evidence Of Departure And Accommodation Details With You

Going to Japan, you must provide the information about the length of time you intend to stay on the disembarkation card as well as one address in Japan and a telephone number.

Additionally, the immigration officer may also ask you to provide evidence of intended departure like a return air ticket. If you can’t supply the information, of course Japan isn’t going to put you in jail. However, the officer may invite you for a “special” interview which can last for one hour to make sure nothing suspicious happens. This can be a really sad experience when you travel to Japan alone.

6. Always Carry Enough Cash With You

Although nowadays many establishments accept international credit cards, Japan is still a predominantly cash-based society. The truth is even worse as foreign bank cards are still not accepted in many Japanese ATMs. Thus, to avoid the panic of desperately hunting for an ATM that does welcome your cards, always carry enough cash with you when traveling in Japan.

7. Be Punctual When Using Japanese Public Transportation

The departure time of Japanese public transportation is so exact that you can use it to set your watch. This is not an exaggeration, really! Arriving half a minute late at the train station or bus stop can even make you miss your train or bus. Therefore, remember that don’t ever, ever be late when using public transportation in Japan.

8. Learn How To Ride Japanese Buses

In Japan, a lot of buses use a ticketing system, which is modern but can be confusing for foreigners. Therefore, learning how to ride Japanese buses is really important when you first arrive in the country. The correct ticketing procedure is as follows:

• Firstly, get on from the middle. Then, collect your ticket which is a small piece of paper with a number from the dispenser next to the entrance.
• Before alighting, check the large electronic board with ever-changing numbers at the front of the bus to know how much the fare is. The amount shown under the number printed on your ticket is the fare to pay.
• Before getting off, put the fee and the ticket into the collection box next to the driver. You can also thank the driver as many Japanese people do.
• If you don’t have change, you could use the same collection machine beside the driver to break your bills.

9. Utilizing Coin Lockers For Temporary Storage

At big Japanese bus and train stations, there are plenty of coin lockers. However, the lockers can unexpectedly run out. In many stations, large-size lockers that can store 30-inch suitcases are also limited.

In case you run into a locker crisis and there is no luggage service nearby, the best solution is to go to a large department store as it offers luggage storage services. What’s more, you can try your luck at whichever attraction you visit. Temples and shrine staff members typically aren’t willing to store luggage, but ticketing offices of theme parks and museums may be willing to keep your luggage for a short time. Remember that you should not depend on these options and you should travel light in Japan.

10. Consider Using Delivery Services For Your Luggage

If you travel to Japan alone with large suitcases, you should consider using delivery services (or takuhaibin in Japanese). With these services, you don’t have to worry how to carry all of your big bags from one place to another. You will have your luggage collected from you or deposited at a konbini (a convenience store), and delivered to your subsequent destination the next day for a small fee. This is also a great solution for locker crisis mentioned above or for long distance travelling by train with big-sized baggage.

11. Get Food, Drinks And Other Things Quickly From Konbini And Vending Machines

Ninety percent of vending machines in Japan only sell canned drinks and the rest sell snacks, small souvenirs, magazines, etc. Therefore, if you want to get a quick drink while you are wandering around Japan, head to vending machines.

Besides, Japanese convenience shops (konbini) are also a good choice for you to get a variety of goods such as meal boxes, hot snacks, tickets, passes. You can even have a feast simply with food purchased from a konbini. Note that the food doesn’t have to be eaten cold. You can ask the cashiers to warm it up for you by simply pointing at the microwave ovens behind them.

12. Make Tax-Exempt Purchases

Many Japanese retail chains such as Don Quijote chain offer tax exemption for foreign visitors. However, in order to qualify such exemptions, you must meet several conditions. The first requirement is your purchases must add up to a certain amount before taxation. Secondly, your passport is also necessary to get tax exemptions. Thirdly, the minimum amount you are supposed to spend is five thousand yen. To make sure that you can make tax-exempt purchases, check the websites of the stores you intend to visit before going.

13. Find Affordable Dinner

If you travel to Japan alone with a strict food budget, there is no need to starve yourself because large department stores like Seibu and Isetan offer affordable cooked food sections. Many stalls even heavily discount food items that cannot be kept overnight near closing hour. In addition, you can also buy many affordable and tasty dinner options in konbini.

14. Don’t Tip In Japan

It’s not common to tip in Japan and tipping may even be considered offensive. Japanese hospitality and service staff do not expect you to give extra, but a sincere “arigatou” (meaning “thank you”) is always appreciated.

15. Smoke In Designated Places

This is a tip that smokers should take note. In some parts of Japan, there are designated smoking points. If you smoke outside these points, you can be fined. Thus, it’s a good idea to search for designated smoking spots before going to Japan.

16. Be Prepared For Hotel Curfews

Small and traditional hotels in Japan tend to impose curfews, so be prepared for this! Some establishments may be willing to loan you a special key for entry after curfew, but don’t bet on that. Checking your hotel’s curfew policy before booking accommodations is recommended.

17. Visit Shinto Shrines With Proper Etiquette

In the Shinto religion there are specific worship rituals that you need to know in order to show your respect.

• Firstly, “cleanse” yourself with running water from the trough in the shrine. Remember to use the trough with respect.
• At the trough, collect some water with the ladles. Wash your left hand, and then your right. Finally, pour some water into one hand and use that to rinse your mouth.
• Never spit into the trough or wash your hands above it.
• At the offering hall, put a coin into the offertory box. Bow twice, clap your hands, bow again, and pray your respects.

18. Being Rejected Is Normal

When you travel to Japan alone, you may find several izakaya or pubs reject you, but don’t be offended by this. They do so as they feel their cultural and language skills are not enough to cope with foreign customers. Besides, some are worried that their regular clients may not like the presence of foreigners. Whatever the reason is, just forget about it and move on.

19. Visit Theme Parks Strategically

Firstly, if you can afford a fast pass, just buy it. With the pass, you will still have to queue, but at least it can help to cut down your time of waiting. Secondly, consider visiting theme parks in the evening to avoid the crowd. However, you will only have four hours to visit a theme park during that time, so  plan in advance to make sure that you can enjoy all the attractions you’re keen on.

20. Learn Japanese Shoe Removal Etiquette

Knowing shoe removal etiquette in Japan is really important during your solo trip. Below is a detailed guide on what to do with shoes that you should bear in mind.

• Never wear outdoor shoes into a Japanese household or traditional ryokan.
• Almost all places that require shoe removal offer indoor slippers for you to change into. Do so and leave your outdoor shoes at the entrance.
• Do not wear indoor slippers into the restroom. There will be special toilet slippers for you to change into. Obviously, you should change back into indoor slippers after using the restroom.
• Never play with slippers as it is one of the most detested taboos in Japan.

21. Wear Comfortable Clothing And Shoes When Visiting Japanese Castles

Japanese castles were originally fortresses, so it’s quite an uphill trek via meandering passages before you reach the keep, which is the most distinctive and photogenic part of them. Once within the keep, the steps are even steeper. Thus, be ready for a workout when visiting a Japanese castle.

22. Avoid Common Scams And Threats In Japan

Being one of the safest countries in the world, Japan is truly an ideal destination for solo travellers. However, don’t assume that crime doesn’t exist in the country. Avoiding dark alleys and drunk people, being alert of pickpockets in crowded places, not going risky hiking alone, etc. are safety practices in Japan that you should bear in mind.

In addition, the most likely threat for solo travellers in Japan is the nightclub scam. These scams are committed by street touts who would invite you to a specific host or hostess club. Once getting in, you would be spoiled rotten and filled with attention, and before you realize it, you would have spent a large amount of money ordering drinks and snacks. Then, the friendly touts turn hostile and they even threaten you to pay the bill that costs an arm and a leg.

These touts are most common in nightlife areas such as Tokyo’s Kabukicho. The key to avoid them is to just go away.

23. Do Research Beforehand Or Risk Boredom

In recent years, the number of international tourists has increased significantly in Japan. Nevertheless, information displayed in English is still minimal in many Japanese minor tourist attractions. It is thus beneficial to do some research before visiting these sites; otherwise, you will easily get confused and bored. The boredom is far worse when you don’t have any companion to talk with.

24. Enjoy Japanese Ekiben And Bento

When you are tired of queuing and eating alone at restaurants, or if you have little money left for travelling, go straight to a Japanese supermarket or convenience store (Konbini) and take a Bento.

Bento are classic meal boxes that can be taken away in Japan. Bento are tasty, affordable, and attractive, so they can be perfect meals for you when you travel to Japan alone.

Besides, Ekiben which are meal boxes sold at train stations are also a great choice for solo dining.

25. Know Where To Go During Bad Weather Days

If you are caught in a sudden downpour, head to the nearest Konbini and buy an umbrella. All Japanese convenience stores sell cheap umbrellas for a few hundred yen.

During bad weather days in Japan, if you don’t want to stay at home and still feel like doing something, you can try some indoor activities such as visiting an indoor theme park, attending a performance or going for a photo shoot, etc.

Conclusion

Above are 25 tips for you when you travel to Japan alone. Hopefully they are useful so that you can have a perfect solo trip. If you have any questions about travelling to Japan or things to do in Japan, please leave your comments below this blog.