Travel Female Solo Travel

[Naa-ielah]

Hi

I am a 22 year old undergraduate university student. I have traveled overseas with family and most recently with friends, but never alone and never to Japan. I have always been interested in Japanese culture, both traditional and modern. I have begun learning Japanese and am really keen on visiting Japan in December for 2+ weeks. None of my friends are able to travel with me this year so I am considering solo travel, but it seems daunting and I'm worried that it may be lonely.

Any advice on traveling solo in Japan?
What is the average daily spend for a budget traveller?

I am very efficient in planning my travels so I am not worried about the planning aspect. I have researched a few places I'd like to visit (e.g spend a few days in tokyo - shopping, anime culture, food culture etc, visit an onsen in Hakone, travel to Kyoto ).

Please share any solo travel stories/experience you may have! Thanks!

 

[thesuker]

I've already planned my trip and I can tell you what I'm more or less going to spend.

Per day I've calculated, on average, 25 euros hostel + 30 euros food. So that would be about 50 euros per day plus tickets for whatever I'm going to visit (museum, onsen or whatever). I'm planning to make my own breakfast and dinner, and have a good daily lunch in a not too expensive restaurant.

I'm paying 500 euros for the return plane ticket (Aeroflot, not the best company to travel with, but cheap) and probably about 350 euros for a 2 week JR pass.

I went two years ago and spent 2500 euros for two weeks travelling around the country (Tokyo, Kyoto, a small village called Kinosaki, etc) and that's what I'm expecting to spend this time. To be honest, considering it's travelling (in my case) to the other side of the planet and sleeping + eating out every single day, it's not that much money.

Edit: last time I went with a couple of friends so I don't have any travelling to Japan solo experience, but this year I'm going on my own, so I'll be able to comment on it when I return. But being the safe country it is, I don't expect to have any problems. Also, speaking the language, even if it's just the basics, helps a lot.

 

[zoomingjapan]

Hi! ^___^

I'm a 30-something German female living in Japan. I've travelled to all 47 prefectures and 90% of the time I was travelling alone.
It was neither dangerous nor boring!

How much you'll spend depends on many factors.
My most expensive vacation was Hokkaido during summer for 2 weeks. It was high season in Hokkaido and I was also a bit late with booking everything. Golden Week can also be quite pricy.
It also depends on how much and how far you travel each day or if you stay in one place.
You can save a lot of money if you're not in a hurry and take local trains instead of the faster versions.
You can also save money by finding an accommodation that offers breakfast for free. Instead of eating in restaurants you can grab your dinner in a local supermarket. Prices are usually going down after 7 p.m.

 

[Asukakbuga]

Hello I am a newbie living in Kobe, Japan.
I am sure that you cannot feel any danger in Japan as long as you are careful not to go to some specific places at night alone.

If you want to cut down your cost, you can use Japanese guesthouses, which are not as popular as other countries, but becoming much popular than before. It cost you about $25-30.
In my opinion, you should spend your money for eating! Japanese food is WONDERFUL!

I hope that you have a safe and exciting travel in Japan!

 

[cocoichi]

Maybe I'm late to the party, but here's my opinion (as a male):

Japan is completely safe, and I feel that the Japanese think so to. During my stays for study and holiday I have seen many women walking by themselves at night. Even small children can be seen travelling all by themselves. Japanese people are very friendly and very helpful. Many years ago, on my first day ever in Japan, I got lost and a friendly woman drove me around to look for the hostel together. Incredible! At a different point I once got lost, asked for directions in the police booth, and got a ride in a cop car to my student dorm

Concerning cost for travel: this depends heavily on what kind of person you are. In my opinion the most awesome thing in Japan is free: walking the streets of bustling area's, observing people in their daily routine, etc. Other people like to visit museums and things like that. I believe you can get a Tokyo subway pass for about 1000 yen per day, a domestic flight with Peach for about 3000 ~ 8000 yen, a bus ride from Tokyo to Osaka for 3000 - 5000 yen, etc so transport does not have to be expensive.
Food is good and available in so many places. Casual dining places, mom and pop restaurants and decent chain restaurants will serve you typical Japanese dishes for 500 - 800 yen.
What you spend on ho(s)tels is completely up to you. I would not be too stingy though, as sleeping in a shady place with poor management will really affect your mood and experience. I would pay 2000 - 3500 yen for a hostel, or around 7000 for a hotel. Chains like Chisun Inn are cheap yet decent.

I could definitely visit Japan in two weeks on 2000 Euro including the flight ticket, and do everything I want. Again, this depends on the person

 

[Takuya8686]

I live in Tokyo, Japan .
My advice is two points .

1 . Please ask as much as possible young people that you do not know .
They will tell kindly . ( In English . If possible Japanese . )
2 ) It is recommended to clarify the priority of the trip purpose .
Shopping , anime , if you are interested in food culture , Tokyo is good .
History , is a good Kyoto If you are interested in culture .

( Bullet train ticket is very expensive . For example , you need about 200 to 300 US dollars round trip to go to Kyoto from Tokyo . )

In addition, since Japan does not have most dangerous place , please feel free to enjoy . And ( Tokyo if Even late at night ! )

So I wish to spend a nice journey .