Not really, unless you’re super worried about getting lost in Japan and you don’t speak the language. Traveling on your own might be one of the most rewarding things to do in life. The three main keys to solo travel or travel with a group of friends to Japan are plan, research, and the internet.
Plan it out
Though making a plan can get in the way of your other activities and give you a headache too, planning a trip is fun. When you start planning, you’ll start to have questions about everything. There are tons of Japan travel sites, blogs and social media where you can find any information and recommendations you need. And go watch travel channel on Youtube, which can also inspire and be a great help too. Here are some lists to start creating your plan, but you might also do it in a different order.
- Pick your destination and decide how to go
- Book your flights and find a good place to stay in a safe area
- Plan your itinerary and activities
- Plan your budget
Research
Either it’s a random trip or properly planned trip, do your research carefully. Because traveling to a foreign land can be a bit intimidating, and doing some research will help you feel at ease when you arrive there.
Research is when you need to get specific. Find out the place to stay, detail spots you’ll visit, the cost of transportation, the food, the climate, the clothing, where to get your foods, what not to do in Japan, etc. There are so much more than just beautiful pictures from some Instagram feeds, you might experience uncomfortable things, like being followed by a stranger in a foreign country, natural disaster, and/or accident.
Check our post on how to keep safe while traveling in Japan.
Internet/Wi-Fi
The internet is everything especially when you’re traveling without a tour guide. It’s crucial to connect to Google, YOUR TRAVEL GUIDE. Although Google couldn’t be your companion, it’s going to be your savior. And in case you’re out of luck and the internet doesn’t run perfectly, you’ll need to write down or note everything down on your smartphone then find free Wi-Fi areas or ask a kind Japanese for directions.
Japan provides tourists with free Wi-Fi services in some areas, but it’ll be more convenient to bring your own pocket Wi-Fi. You can rent a pocket Wi-Fi from your home country, borrow it from your Airbnb, or buy a SIM card from the counter or SIM card vending machine at the airport.
Once you’re in Japan, you can always change your itinerary and go visit spots randomly as much as you want to. Though random trip is also fun, but better come prepared. You’ll find your trip less stressful and more enjoyable.