Surfer babes and jazz clubs invite you to come as you are.
Japan is not the most square country to travel through alone . There are great wrapping of the country where no one speaks English . You will get mislay . You will feel at odds with yourself , disorientate in a soundbox of displacement that might make you panic and feelas lonesome as ScarJo at the Hyatt . My advice : Make Google Translate your champion , have multiple battery packs on hand , keep on calmness , and trust the process that is Japan on your own .
After all , there ’s so much reinforcement to be reap . Ajourney through Japanfeels liveliness - affirming , personal boundary - breaking , and answerless . Japan is itself a school of thought , and by the meter you come home , you ’re so humbled by its marvelousness that it ’s almost too cringe to spill the beans about . But , alas , here we are .
Whether you point northerly towards Hokkaido , south to Okinawa , E for Tokyo and Karuizawa , or west in the San’in region , there will be feasts aplenty instore for the eye and mouthpiece . alien tourist swear by theJR Pass , which offers unlimited transport ( includingbullet trainand local bus ) for one hebdomad , two weeks , or 30 serial days , starting at $ 215 or $ 287 first family ( dub the Green Pass ) . To rent a sub - summary car is around $ 50 a day , and while tolls can be hefty , drive would be recommended for the western arm .
Matteo Colombo/Moment/Getty Images
Whichever style you choose to roam , here are the islands around Japan to suit your personality , whether that ’s surrounded by rugged hikers , beach bums , jazz cat , or shōchū drinkers . Here ’s where to find your mass or regain yourself in Japan .
Hike in national parks and mountains in Hokkaido
Hokkaido is for mountain lover . On this northerly island , you ’ll find at leastsix national parks , fresh pulverization , far-famed pumpkins , and ( as it turn out with most thing Nipponese ) plenty conjuration in between . For outdoorsy - sports meeting - foodie folk , Niseko Villagesits in the foothill of the 4,292 - foot Mount Niseko Annupuri and is teeming with stuff to do for lone travelers . During the ski season , you may apres with the finest sushi platters and omakase money can grease one’s palms , shop around the small town ’s fancy stores , or direct out to explore Sapporo ’s brewery , Nikka ’s observe whisky distilleries , and Otaru ’s luxe seafood aspect .
In the green season , ogle the dazzling sakura trees in full bloom , kaleidoscopical yield plantation , and meadow pepper with ume ( plum ) , narcissus , fawn leaves , and Nipponese wisteria . Set out on a hike or team up up with others to go white water rafting down the Shiribetsu River with stupefying views of Mount Yotei , all safely facilitated with robust regulation and function .
Later , decompress at the streamlined and sophisticatedHigashiyama Niseko Village , a Ritz - Carlton Reserve tout snowy - view glass windows from sunken tubful in silk- and hardwood - laden suites for one . For something more low - key , bask in the alpine softness ofKasara Niseko Village Townhouseor consider book a elbow room atThe Green Leaf , home to a sprawl health spa andonsen to solace any aching muscle .
CHEN MIN CHUN/Shutterstock
Circle Hokkaido for the Ultimate Japan Road Trip
Mountains, volcanic lakes, and miso ramen take the spotlight on Japan’s most rugged island.
Admire surf and sea in Okinawa
mayhap you pick out the name of this archipelago fromKill Bill Vol 1 , when Uma Thurman wanders into a beachside sushi shop for a chat about swords . disregarding of whether or not you ’re into Tarantino films , Okinawa Prefecture is a stead worthy of such an luxuriant tale , with its dedication to nature and years - older tradition . To get there , you could either fly two and a one-half hours from Tokyo or take the Shinkansen to Kagoshima and catch the ferry to Okinawa .
Made up of 160 island , Okinawa sport some of the most secluded reaches of Japan . But it ’s far from skimping on beach fitting . In the capital letter Naha on the main island ( the best of the 59 inhabited island for solo travelling ease and options ) , you’re able to let a bedroom with a share bath for as low as $ 22 a Nox — one of the many perks of traveling alone — and your homebase will be within confound distance to the beach , where Okinawan surfer baby life thrives . You ’ll notice a number of soppy , colourful hotel likeSun Palace , with a frontage as glorious and welcoming as its staff . Or there’sHotel Palm Royal Naha Kokusai Street , with its pinkish and drab accents , neon syndicate sign , and palm tree . Upgrading at either of these hotels , even with tatami mat area and breakfast included , will still cost you less than $ 100 .
In addition to sun and sand , there ’s a strong underwater scene here , where diving school and scuba site cluster around the magnificent cove , cape , reef , and even submersed monuments likeYonaguni . The Kerama Islands ’ marine interior parking area offers other - worldly tidy sum for divers , admit coral , tropic fish , manta irradiation , and octopus .
CHEN MIN CHUN/Shutterstock
As for eats , try the inhuman soba noodles and goya champuru ( budge - electrocute melon vine ) . And if you get the opportunity , the dark-green turban ( elephantine ocean snail ) is another adventure deserving writing home about .
Finally Planning That Dream Trip to Japan? Here Are 4 Tour Groups to Get You Started
The country is once again open to travelers—with some limits.
Find your art in and around Tokyo
Tokyo attract masses who thrill with energy and have a motivation for tight - paced metropolises . There ’s anendless amount to do in the city , but for being on your own , the neighborhood of Shimokitazawa ( nicknamed Shimo ) will keep you busy thanks to everything from snug izakayas to esteemed time of origin shopping and neon - lit belated nighttime bars . It ’s not far from Shibuya , and has much of the iconic territory ’s electric draw without all the selfie - pin and overpriced ramen . A good place to lead off could be head to a conveyor - rap - style sushi train restaurant ( idealistic for solo diner ) , surf larder silk at Ginza Mall or peruse Kawaii jewelry in Harajuku , or ambling around Meiji Jingu Gaien or Yoyogi Park for some wise line .
But one of the best activities to seek out in Tokyo while unaccompanied is the jazz culture . Tokyo ’s jazz kissa ( cafes founded for the most part in the ‘ sixty and ‘ 70s ) are delectably fun . In some , you’re able to hear to extensive vinyl collection with headphones , while in others , guests are banned from talking at all . Chyokuristu Enjin , Posy , andJazz Inn Uncle Tom(the latter of which offers excellent sashimi and sake ) are musts .
Beyond Tokyo , you wo n’t require to overlook travel through the due east of Japan , with its hot spring resorts and wildlife sanctuaries . One idealistic destination is Karuizawa , station just an minute and a one-half by train from Tokyo .
In the 1930s , Tokyo ’s Felis concolor and literati take to retreat on occasion from the glamourous yet fast develop capital . Karuizawa became the alluring place du jour , like a mixture between the Hamptons and Joshua Tree for Japan ’s artsy elite group . Today , there ’s plenty of blistering spring lounging , bird - watching , and woodland bathing fit for one throughout theenchanting resort town , whileChisun Inn Karuizawaoffers budget digs from $ 40 a nighttime in the low time of year . Horseback tantalise at the bottom of Mount Asama , stargaze , orgo on a wildlife tourat a hoot and contain sanctuary set up in 1974 in part by Godo Nakanishi , a famous Japanese poet and philosopher . ( And ensure to bet out for flying squirrel , moon bear dens , and wild wild boar as you explore . )
Everything to See, Eat, and Do on Your Big Trip to Tokyo
Ancient temples, smoky izakayas, and neon-lit streets.
Wander through ancient towns in Osaka
The San’in region on the westerly side of Japan has legion seaside towns that recoil to life during the warm months . recollect undulating mountainscapes , spectacular tide and geyser , locally sourced dishes , and ancient villages imbued with ancient computer architecture and century of folklore . Journeying through these largely non - touristic lands mean dealing with trickier sailing if you ’re going it alone , but it ’s worth it for the stone you wo n’t detect elsewhere Japan .
The region begins around Matsue , where you ’ll rule a tower cursed by a fable of a sacrifice social dancer and gardens flecked with shrines and fountains . Dine on a multi - course kaiseki for one spanning sushi , shiso flowers , and cool interest at the spectacularYuushien . Kaiseki disagree from omakase in that while it ’s still a chef ’s menu , it ’s more artfully and sensually presented .
From Matsue , you ’ll need to head towards Nagato . The area in between is brimming with samurai history and delightful delicacies . If you ’re push back through the area , make certain tostop at the gas place storesstocked with rose lemonade , ready - to - eat conch , and hard - to - find sake paired with instinctive healing crystal . pass time in quaint Tsuwano , dubbed Little Kyoto thanks to its historical Nipponese computer architecture , koi - stock up waterway race through narrow streets , delicious ramen restaurants , and old - timey stores like the wood and glass herbal therapeutic apothecary . afterward , force over for a geyser - comparable phenomenon calledRyugu no Shiofuki , where ocean waves clangor into the cliffs in a direction that expect like a tartar flying towards the immortal above . Then go on forwards to theMotonosumi Shrine , build in honour of a white fox spirit , where 123 gle
Ippei Naoi/Moment/Getty Images
This Lesser-Known Train Between Kyoto and Osaka Is an Affordable, Peaceful Ride
Do some quiet sightseeing on the Kyo-train Garaku.
A good place to stay overnight is the town of Nagato . Guesthouse Neruyamais a 35 - minute of arc bus ride from the Nagato - Yumoto power train station and offers tasteful single room with tatami - matted futons for $ 30 a night . Or if you ’re looking to care for yourself , Yumoto Kanko Hotel Saikyois a 10 - minute walk from the station . It ’s on the pricier end at $ 250 for a mob - sized futon room , but it ’s a howling mode to gratify the senses with access code to the hot springs , breakfast , and an detailed kaisekidinner included . await fastidiously pretty dishes which far exceed 3 - star holiday resort expectations ( genius in Japan hit unlike ) . Don the pale green yukata robe you ’re reach upon check - in and duck’s egg into the indoor - outdoor nude onsen ( remark that as with many traditional onsens , tattoos are n’t give up ) . individual karaoke booth line the basement , which also houses a bowling alley — sounds like a one - two punch for fill some friends . While in Nagato , ensure to visit theTainei - ji Temple , Omi Island(set withinKita - Nagato Kaigan Quasi - National Park ) , andSenjojiki Rock Circle .
After wrapping up the San’in route , stop in Fukuoka on the island of Kyūshū , famed for its diverse nightlife , bare-ass chicken sashimi ( rely us on this one ) , and the partake mizutaki blistering potty . The art museum here houses Dali and Rothko , and Canal City , the town ’s exquisite Barbie - pink shopping and entertainment center , feels very now and very wow . While you ’re there , make time to explore thenight marketsand nightspot of Nakasu . The vivacious port city is Japan ’s youngest major urban area and has long acted as a welcome embassador to many queer immigrants from across Southeast Asia , bursting with an infectious “ come as you are ” ethos that also makes the idealistic landing place spot for solo travelers on the rear final stage of a foresightful trip .
iamshutter/shutterstock
journeykei/Shutterstock
