A solo female going to Japan??

[OverthinkingOlive]

I'm thinking of doing this in May for ten days. I don't really want to do more than that because I will be using up too much annual leave and I'd be concerned about homesickness. Whilst I'm very fond and familiar with solo travelling (in fact I refuse to holiday with other people) I've never been further than the US east coast for a week.

I'm thinking of basing myself in Tokyo. It looks like a very vibrant, fun place to be and I can use the train to do daytrips to some other places. It looks like I can get direct flights for around £1k (13 hours from UK) and possibly a nice enough hotel in Central Tokyo for around £500. I'm really not bothered about the accommodation as long as it's safe, clean, I don't have to share a room / bathroom and it's ideal location wise. Worth noting I am used to walking around 10/15 miles per day whilst travelling. Here are my questions:

1. Is it really safe for a solo female? Going to Asia alone is going to be pretty intimidating

1. I don't speak a word of Japanese although I'm going to download an app to at least try to learn a few basics. Are there English signs / help etc there?

1. Do the prices I've put above seem about right?

1. How bad is the jetlag likely to be? Is 10 days realistic?

1. I'll want to bring a half empty suitcase to bring back souvenirs, especially their greeting cards and paper! What other cool things should I be bringing back?

1. How easy is their transport system and is it better to book day trips in advance? What is the best way to get to and from the airport?

I don't have any specific thing I'm interested in, just to generally explore their museums and parks, soak up a completely different culture and eat lots of food etc. I won't be interested in theme parks as I wouldn't go to one by myself. Absolutely any tips or advice would be welcome!

Thank you 😊

Anyone?

I haven't been so can't say but I'd be happy to go solo. Haven't heard anything to suggest it's unsafe.

I'd go for more than 10 days for sure, you'll lose a day each way travelling. I don't get homesick though.

I have been but it was part of a group. There was a woman in her own with us. We usually went on day trips with the group but did get time to do our own thing.

IMO Japan is a very safe place. I never felt unsafe at all even late at night.

I didn't speak Japanese either but found the people very friendly and helpful.

I believe a lot of signs in the tourist areas are now in English and that will make it easier.

Go for it. You'll love it. 😊

There are quite a few groups on Facebook for solo female travellers with loads of tips, information, and help. I am a member of one for women over 50 and it's fabulous, they are so adventurous and knowledgable it's inspiring.

We used the train to go to the airport and mostly the underground within Tokyo. The bullet train is amazing and we booked that on the day to go to Hiroshima.

Definitely don't want to be part of a group. I know it seems like a short time all the way to Asia but honestly as long as I can sack off the jet lag within a day or so of being there (will probably force myself to stay awake and knock myself out for a night with red wine) one full week will be enough of exploring before I want my own bed again.

Japan is very safe and I have travelled solo there and it's fine. I've also been out running alone in Tokyo at 5am and it's just perfectly safe.
You don't need Japanese as Google translate does a vaguely reasonable job and certainly metro cities like Tokyo accommodate English in hotels etc
Jet lag, I cope reasonably well by following a protocol (no food on plane, force myself to move to destination time zone the minute I board rtc).
Airport just hop on the transit (Narita express etc), for other transport depends on itinerary. There's passes you can buy for tourists which allow Shinkansen travel. Or you can book individual. You need to plan itinerary and then work it out. Again Japanese staff at train stations will.be super helpful for booking if you do when you arrive. Machines all have an English option too

A 5am run in Japan sounds idyllic

Japan is very safe. It's easy to get round. I'd do Tokyo and Kyoto personally. I've traveled solo in Japan many years ago when 8 lived there for a bit, and it was easy and safe. Hotels are very clean. Taxis are safe too.

Went recently with my husband and he speaks no Japanese, I know a bit, and he was fine getting round.

10 days is fine: I spent roughly this or fewer in China. I did find myself getting tired earlier in the evening than usual, because I didn't sleep on the flight at all.

I've travelled solo in Japan and found it fine, no concerns at all. I found the jet lag a shocker though, so personally I'd go for longer if you can as it took me days to be able to sleep at night and manage to get up at a sensible time. I'm out of touch with prices etc so can't help you there. I found getting around very easy and people very helpful. I didn't book anything in advance, just rocked up at Narita and used a combo of trains, buses and the shinkansen. I can speak a bit of Japanese and also read a bit - not necessarily the same bits - but English is widely spoken, including outside Tokyo. Don't miss Kyoto, which is the most extraordinary place imo. I hope you have an amazing time, I'm sure you will.

Very safe for solo travel
if you’re only coming for a short trip, then use Tokyo as a base and take trips to Nikko, Kamakura, Hakone, Izu, etc.

Theme parks are not necessary but do go to Team Labs Borderless - it’s an immersive art experience that will take your breath away!

I went to Australia solo for 10 days and I've also been to Malaysia with family. Malaysia, jet lag was negligible. We had a couple of early nights; Australia was also fine but I was pretty non stop from getting there as I was determined to cram as much in as possible.
Getting back I slept when I was able to and had a few very early nights and early mornings before I was back in my routine.

I went to Japan with my husband, but we travelled separately for a couple of days (different interests there), and it was a lovely safe place to travel solo. We split time between Tokyo and Kyoto (which I much preferred). Travel is so easy and quick by train, we bought an interrail ticket before we arrived (only available before you get to Japan afaik), which allowed a number of journeys.

I spent a night in Hakkone, Osaka and Himiji. One thing I found useful was that most hotels will arrange to forward your luggage to the next hotel cheaply, which was very convenient when travelling alone (many stations are old, and not very accessible, so would have struggled with much luggage). I took a small overnight bag only, and sent my suitcase on to Kyoto.

Language-wise, outside of Tokyo and Kyoto, people often didn't speak English but free translate worked fine.

I'd definitely recommend it for female solo travellers, I felt very safe. Also the rail network is excellent, you could fit in a huge amount of sightseeing in 10 days. We didn't book much ahead, other than my stay at a beautiful ryokan in Hakkone, everything else we just figured out as we went.

I lived for 2 years in Japan, and on the whole it is completely safe at any hour. The only caution I would give is not to ride the trains at rush hour. You'll be packed on so tightly you can't move, literally can't move, and one time a man grabbed my crotch and held it until the next station, trying to "tickle" me, for lack of a better word. A bunch of people got off at the next stop and I never knew which of the many men pressing against my body had done it. It went on for several minutes and I felt so sick and repulsed I almost vomited. Would have served him right.

On the whole, Japanese men and women are really wonderful people, but I do think that given a chance to anonymously grope a gaijin woman, a certain percentage of the men will do so, so be careful.

That is fucking awful

It'll be fine, you don't sound that familiar with solo travel. Quite basic questions 🤔

I think it’s a good place to start as a solo female traveller in Asia. I lived there for a couple of years when I was much younger and it was an amazing experience. I’ve been back many times since and wouldn’t hesitate travelling there alone with my tween daughter.

That's so grim and an awful experience for you.

Tbf, that kind of thing happens all over the world. I know someone who got off a Paris metro train in the morning rush hour to find one or other of the men pressed up against her had jizzed all over her coat. What a way to start the day. 😧

Clarify? I think I'm pretty good. America. Europe. UK. Genuinely not being arsey what am I missing?

The jet lag travelling east is negligible, you'll find it much easier than US.

I'm so envious, also hoping to go next year

Due to Russian issues your flight is likely to be around 15hrs direct 😱

You can do as long or short as suits you. I have been to Thailand for 3 nights once 😂

I went to Japan solo - just a few days in Kyoto en route to somewhere else. Absolutely adored it and always felt very safe. Trains were easy enough, everyone very friendly and helpful everywhere I went and not being able to speak or read the language I got by just fine via mine, sign language and a lot of laughing when necessary. You'll love it.

I have travelled to lots of places, but not Japan so far.

It is always cheaper to book day trips & excursions once you are on holiday.

If you stay in a hotel, they can give you their local recommendations & help you book trips or places to visit.

I believe in Japan that you can hire a local friend or guide to show you round the local places.

Beware of huge charges if you use your mobile phone abroad. Buy a local SIM card & use WiFi. Or contact phone provider & ask how much phone calls, text, data will be for Japan, they may sell you an add on mobile phone deal.

Buy travel insurance before you leave

Good luck with your travels

Sorry, I think you misunderstood. The Facebook groups arent for group travel. They are for advice, tips, and information for female solo travelers. They have thousands of women who travel solo and someone will have been where you want to go and can advise over hotels, travel, and must see places to visit. It's a resource group. It's not a traveling group.

The jet lag travelling east is negligible, you'll find it much easier than US.

Gosh, I find the total opposite. Going west, I just go to bed early, which is easy because you're tired from travelling, and wake up feeling normal. Going east, I find I'm totally wired at what the clock says is bedtime, can't sleep at all but then finally crash at 4 or 5am and then can't get up the next day.

Does it depend if you're a lark or an owl?