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Travelling to Japan alone

39 replies

Pinkie98 · 31/05/2021 18:49

So, I (22f) really want to travel to Japan but I have nobody to go with. My mom said I should wait until I meet someone with the same interests before I go but, what if that never happens? I don't want to waste my time. However, I know it isn't really too safe to travel alone. Has anyone been to Japan alone? What should I do?

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JorisBonson · 01/06/2021 16:24

Alaska? Akasaka!

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JorisBonson · 01/06/2021 16:24

@Pinkie98 lots of hotel and hostel bars are run by non Japanese workers and are a good way to meet people. We stayed in a hotel in Alaska which was run by a Swedish man, we had a great night meeting people from all over the world.

The golden gai in Tokyo is a long narrow street full of tiny bars that only sit a few people, there were plenty of solo travellers in there chatting away to fellow drinkers too.

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DuesToTheDirt · 01/06/2021 15:20

Travelling alone can be a positive thing. You make your own decisions, you are more likely to meet and interact with other people, and when necessary you find resilience. I'd say the main downside is there's no one to look after your luggage while you use the station/airport loos

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Pinkie98 · 01/06/2021 15:15

Hey guys thank you all for your advise I really appreciate it. I'm starting to make some plans of going because I don't want to waste my life away xx

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Nandakanda · 31/05/2021 23:24

Japan is very safe, but I’m fairly sure they aren’t allowing non-Japanese in at the moment - at all.

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MolyHolyGuacamole · 31/05/2021 23:17

Join this group on Facebook, it's an incredible resource

Travelling to Japan alone
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exexpat · 31/05/2021 21:58

If you are 22, why on earth does your mother have any say in your travel plans, which presumably won't be happening for at least a year anyway given current circumstances?

To answer the question, if you are a confident, sensible person, Japan is a perfectly safe place to travel as a lone female. Of course there are a few sleazy men around, but street crime rates are very low.

I first went to Japan solo aged 21 more than 30 years ago, have travelled round many times and lived in Japan for years. My daughter has also spent time in various Japanese cities between the ages of 16 and 18 with no issues.

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roguetomato · 31/05/2021 21:51

Just don't plan to travel there soon, major cities are now under state of emergency, and they only really started to vaccinate people and foreign nationals aren't allowed to enter. So even UK started to open up, it will be a while until you can have a holiday/travel in Japan.

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WishingHopingThinkingPraying · 31/05/2021 21:29

I moved to Tokyo alone at 21. Safest country on earth.

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partyatthepalace · 31/05/2021 21:28

@NotYourAverageDaisy

I think far fewer people are, but they are used to Western travellers so don’t let that put you off

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partyatthepalace · 31/05/2021 21:27

Japan is very safe for lone female travellers.

I’ve been there travelling partly alone and it’s great. If you want to go just go - don’t let your mum hold you back (in the nicest way she is probably jealous).

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DuesToTheDirt · 31/05/2021 21:17

Perfectly safe. Ignore your mum.

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NotYourAverageDaisy · 31/05/2021 21:16

I'd love to visit Japan OP, don't forget all their lovely sushi and Mochi desert. Plus their street noodles are suppose to be super cheap but really tasty!

For anyone who actually knows Japanese culture, is it true that they don't like fat people/it's frowned upon to be fat?

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FoolsAssassin · 31/05/2021 21:09

I’m fine with the concept of my DD who is the same age going alone and she probably will once it is possible to, which she isn’t expecting to be able to do anytime yet.

What about spending a couple of weeks at a language school over there to give you a bit of the language and meet some people ? Another thing DD has done is volunteer at a hostel she stayed at which worked well.

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JorisBonson · 31/05/2021 21:06

@Smartiepants79 almost everyone speaks English to a degree, and the universal language of pointing and smiling works there too. I had no problems with the language barrier when I was there.

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NotYourAverageDaisy · 31/05/2021 21:03

@GCAcademic

Japan is just about the safest country you could travel to solo.


Why?
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WrongKindOfFace · 31/05/2021 21:01

@Smartiepants79

I would have thought Japan is one of the safest places for travel.
My main concern would be language. The written language is totally different. I’m sure there are travel companies that you could use that would support you.

The Google translate app allows you to use the camera on your phone to scan text and translate to English. It’s not 100% but it is good enough to read a menu or follow instructions to buy a travel ticket etc.

That said, maybe a guided tour followed by some solo travel would be a good compromise?
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roguetomato · 31/05/2021 20:57

Japan is very safe to travel, even on your own as a young female.
But I don't think you can travel there anytime soon, so there's plenty of time to plan and research.
This sub is a great place for tips and info.
www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/

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Smartiepants79 · 31/05/2021 20:47

I would have thought Japan is one of the safest places for travel.
My main concern would be language. The written language is totally different. I’m sure there are travel companies that you could use that would support you.

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EssexLioness · 31/05/2021 20:42

Never been to Japan but travelled aloneness abroad several times, never had any problems. You just have to use your common sense. I guess some places would be dangerous to lone women but I always research areas carefully beforehand. Lone travel is great for developing confidence and independence

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FrownedUpon · 31/05/2021 20:38

It’s very safe and an easy country to explore. You’ll love it!

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Pebbles16 · 31/05/2021 20:33

Japan is incredibly safe. Probably the best place you can go as a solo traveller. Plus it is AWESOME. Watch some NHK World programmes for great ideas on and off the beaten trail and learn four or five phrases which will delight the Japanese host eg oishi des (it is delicious), konichiwa (hello), aragoato (thank you) etc. Honestly, it is the MOST amazing place. Tokyo is totally overwhelming at first so possibly do an overnight transit first day and then come back for a few days before the end. (When I say overwhelming, it's just a bit mad but very kind and orderly)

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TotorosCatBus · 31/05/2021 20:27

Japan is pretty safe. I have a daughter whose just finished school and I'd be more than ok with her travelling to Japan.

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Northernsoullover · 31/05/2021 20:17

I went to Barcelona by myself. Japan is much safer.

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tribpot · 31/05/2021 20:15

Have a look on YouTube for some of the well-known younger travellers (Kara and Nate, Dylan's Travel Reports) - they will give you some good ideas for how to get around in Japan, often down to the 'go to this ticket machine, press this button for English, go to this gate' type level.

A group tour would definitely be one option, although likely a supplement to pay for travelling on your own. Alternatively you could look for a travel company that would help you with booking day tours and with travel arrangements, but to an itinerary drawn up by you.

I nearly travelled with ds using Inside Japan but ultimately we decided the dates weren't right for us. A self-guided adventure might suit you well?

Have a look also at Seat 61 for detailed travel information. He recommends Railbookers to create an itinerary for you.

Definitely don't wait until you have someone to travel with, have your own adventure!

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