Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Holidays
Travelling to Japan alone
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?
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.
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?
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).
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
WishingHopingThinkingPraying · 31/05/2021 21:29
I moved to Tokyo alone at 21. Safest country on earth.
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.
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.
MolyHolyGuacamole · 31/05/2021 23:17
Join this group on Facebook, it's an incredible resource
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.
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
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
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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